The leadership of interfaith hospital chaplains during the COVID-19 pandemic

The COVID-19 pandemic impacted healthcare leadership, but much of the academic focus on leadership research has been on public health professionals and policymakers. Less attention has been given to the leadership roles of interfaith hospital chaplains. This study explores how interfaith hospital chaplains enacted leadership throughout the pandemic, focusing on their personal experiences, practices, and challenges. Utilizing Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA), the study involved in-depth interviews with ten interfaith chaplains from U.S. hospitals, all with at least six months of service during the pandemic. Chaplains demonstrated leadership through relationality, crisis management, and emotional support for patients, staff, and families. Their leadership was often under-recognized yet critical in navigating both the personal and collective trauma induced by the pandemic. The study underscores the evolving role of chaplains as essential healthcare leaders and highlights implications for future research and practice in interfaith chaplaincy leadership.