American Indian smudging in hospital settings

A qualitative case study

Bibliographic Data

ID22310822
AuthorsKaren K Heistand (Spiritual Care, Mayo Clinic), Maureen J Cleverley (Mayo Clinic School of Health Sciences, Mayo Clinic College of Medicine and Science), Valerie DeCora Guimaraes (Office of Patient Experience, Mayo Clinic), Valerie C K Guimaraes (Office of Patient Care Services), Samantha Nichols (Mayo Clinic School of Health Sciences, Mayo Clinic College of Medicine and Science), Jacek T Soroka (0000-0002-8305-6450, Spiritual Care, Mayo Clinic Health System – Southwest Minnesota Region, corresponding author), Mary M Triplet (Mayo Clinic School of Health Sciences, Mayo Clinic College of Medicine and Science), Morris D Wakeley (Mayo Clinic School of Health Sciences, Mayo Clinic College of Medicine and Science), M Wakeley (Mayo Clinic in Arizona)
Year2025
Volume31
Issue3
Pages175-182
Publication date2025-07-03
Open AccessNo
TypeARTICLE
VenueJournal of Health Care Chaplaincy (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 0885-4726 • E-ISSN: 1528-6916
PublisherInforma UK Limited (PUBLISHER • GB)
DOI10.1080/08854726.2025.2481815
PMID40129018
OpenAlexW4408845607
LanguageEN
References cited9

Smudging is a spiritual custom extensively practiced by American Indians, yet little is known about smudging in hospital settings. To better understand the spiritual needs of hospitalized American Indian patients, we performed a qualitative, exploratory, and cross-sectional study, consisting of semistructured interviews with nine hospitalized American Indian patients. We identified four major themes: accessibility, role of chaplains/staff, experiences of the ritual, and cultural connection. Smudging is an important component of holistic health care, contributing to patient well-being and satisfaction

Alternative medicine · Exploratory research · Family medicine · Health care · Qualitative research · Sociology · Spirituality · Anthropology · Grief, Bereavement, and Mental Health · Medicine · Nursing · Palliative Care and End-of-Life Issues · Psychology · Religion, Spirituality, and Psychology

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