Development of Spiritual Care Model for Medical Evangelism in Buea Adventist Hospital, Cameroon

Abstract

Health workers in Buea Adventist Hospital (BAH) have been reluctant to embark on medical evangelism. Notwithstanding, the hospital personnel are known to be welcoming and kind. Unfortunately, they have never gone beyond such steps in their interactions with patients. Research revealed that nothing has been done before in terms of post-contact activities with former patients. The purpose of this in-ministry dissertation was to develop a spiritual care model for medical evangelism in BAH. The idea was to address the worker’s reluctance in matters of medical missionary work. After a brainstorming session and meetings for a capacity building seminar, the researcher put in place a model of spiritual care that had continuity, even after patients were discharged from the hospital. Outpatients, inpatients, their relatives, and selected workers of BAH constituted the sample for this study. A mixed-method of qualitative and quantitative research approaches were employed. Seventeen out of 20 workers (85%) took part in the implementation of the model program. Seven participants (41%) returned their forms as an evidence of their involvement in activities pertaining to medical evangelism. Everyone involved in the group discussion agreed that it would be difficult for any worker to have time for medical evangelism activities after daily work hours. Out of 50 patients (and/or relatives) who received a questionnaire, all gave an average mark that positively expressed their level of satisfaction regarding the services at BAH. In the same vein, the 57 ex-patients whom the researcher interviewed by phone also provided data that revealed the positive impact of the model. Consequently, for sustainability, the researcher recommended that a chaplaincy unit be put in place. The workers’ involvement in medical evangelism must not be seen as an event but should become a culture. It is such a mindset that would facilitate the fulfillment of mission in Cameroon. The researcher concluded that a spiritual care model for medical evangelism is an innovative tool for discipleship. The entire church needs to create awareness around such an approach to missionary work.