[1] There are also Parish nurses in Australia, the Bahamas, Canada, England, Ghana, India, Kenya, Korea, Madagascar, Malawi, Malaysia, New Zealand, Nigeria, Palestine, Pakistan, Scotland, Singapore, South Africa, Swaziland, Ukraine, Wales, Zambia and Zimbabwe.
Dr. Granger Westberg as a reincarnation of the faith community nursing outreach done by religious orders, such as the "Parish Deaconesses" in Europe and America in the 1800s.
Faith community nursing focuses on a wholistic approach to patient care.
Nurses in this specialty, cares for the patient as a whole; physically, emotionally, and spiritually.
Faith community nurses also maintain the goal of patient care towards wholistic functioning.
Faith community nurses serve in several roles, including: • Health advisor • Educator on health issues • Visitor of church members at home or in the hospital • Provider of referrals to community resources and provide assistance in obtaining needed health services • Developer of support groups within the church • Trainer and coordinator of volunteers • Provider of health screenings Faith community nursing plays a tremendous role in increasing patient outcomes.
Medical guidance and education provided by faith community nursing increases patient's adherence.
It began with an initial course spanning a three-week period and brought together nurses from various denominations who were commissioned on 27 February 2005.
Initially, the Canadian and Australian models of Parish Nursing were introduced to The Bahamas as an extension of the Pastoral Care Ministries of Diocese 2000 & Beyond, a programme of the Anglican Diocese of The Bahamas and Turks & Caicos Islands.
To date, more than 60 people have been trained and actively engaged in the ministry as either Parish Nurses or Health & Wellness Carers.
However, effective 7 March 2008 the name changed to the Ecumenical Health Care Ministry Council.
The Joint Commission: Advancing Effective Communication, Cultural Competence, and Patient and Family-Centered Care: A Roadmap for Hospitals.