Pastoral Narrative Disclosure: The Development and Evaluation of an Australian Chaplaincy Intervention Strategy for Addressing Moral Injury.

This paper describes the development and initial chaplaincy user evaluation of 'Pastoral Narrative Disclosure' (PND) as a rehabilitation strategy developed for chaplains to address moral injury among veterans. PND is an empirically informed and integrated intervention comprising eight stages of pastoral counselling, guidance and education that was developed by combining two previously existing therapeutic techniques, namely Litz et al's (2017) 'Adaptive Disclosure' and 'Confessional Practice' (Joob & Kettunen, 2013). The development and results of PND can be categorized into five phases. Phase 1: PND Strategy Formation-based upon extensive international research demonstrating that MI is a complex bio-psycho-social-spiritual syndrome with symptoms sufficiently distinct from post-traumatic stress disorder. The review also provided evidence of the importance of chaplains being involved in moral injury rehabilitation. Phase II: Development and Implementation of 'Moral Injury Skills Training' (MIST)-which involved the majority of available Australian Defence Force (ADF) Chaplains (n = 242/255: 94.9%) completing a basic 'Introduction to Moral Injury' (MIST-1) as well as an 'Introduction to PND' (MIST-2). Phase III: MIST-3-PND-Pilot evaluation-involved a representative chaplaincy cohort (n = 13) undergoing the PND eight-stage strategy to ensure the integrity and quality of PND from a chaplaincy perspective prior to wider implementation. The pilot PND evaluation indicated a favourable satisfaction rating (n = 11/13: 84.6%; M = 4.73/5.0 satisfaction). Phase IV: MIST-3-PND Implementation-involved a larger cohort of ADF Chaplaincy participants (n = 210) completing a revised and finalized PND strategy which was regarded favourably by the majority of ADF Chaplains (n = 201/210: 95.7%; M = 4.73/5.0 satisfaction). Phase V: Summation. In conclusion the positive satisfaction ratings by a significant number of ADF chaplaincy personnel completing MIST-3-PND, provided evidence that chaplains evaluated PND as a suitable counselling, guidance and education strategy, which affirmed its utilisation and justifies further research for using PND to address MI among veterans, that may also prove valuable for other chaplains working in community health and first responder contexts.

Moral Injury, Betrayal and Retribution: Australian Veterans and the Role of Chaplains.

This paper presents additional qualitative results from Phase 1 of a larger study examining potentially morally injurious events/experiences (PMIE) and/or moral injury (MI) among Australian veterans (Hodgson et al. in J Relig Health 60(5):3061-3089, 2021). It makes specific reference to (1) betrayal and (2) retribution experienced or perpetrated by Australian military veterans during military conflicts and peacekeeping missions. During two veteran seminars conducted in Adelaide, South Australia, a total of 50 veterans were recruited, 10 of whom were willing to be interviewed and audio-recorded about their deployment experiences. Narrative data analysis of veteran transcripts indicated that all participants had engaged in or were exposed to a PMIE/MI of one kind or another, and all had experienced betrayal and/or witnessed or perpetrated retribution. Given the ethical, moral and spiritual issues involved, the role of chaplains in addressing moral injury for the benefit of veterans through the use of 'Pastoral Narrative Disclosure' (PND) is suggested-with a specific focus upon 'restoration' and 'ritual'. Additional research is recommended with regard to acts of betrayal and retribution among veterans, as well as the further development of PND to address PMIE/MI.

Moral Injury, Australian Veterans and the Role of Chaplains: An Exploratory Qualitative Study.

Military personnel deployed to war zones or assigned to other morally challenging military duties are likely to be exposed to potentially morally injurious events (PMIE) that may inflict a moral injury (MI). This qualitative study formed 'Phase 1' of a larger study into PMIEs experienced by Australian veterans and the potential pastoral/spiritual care role of chaplains. Two seminars were conducted that involved 10 veterans being interviewed and audio recorded about their deployment experiences to evaluate whether there was any evidence among Australian veterans of a PMIE. Narrative data analysis indicated that all participants had been exposed to, or were involved in, a PMIE of one kind or another. Seven key themes were identified from the analyzed qualitative data: (i) immoral acts, (ii) death and injury, (iii) betrayal, (iv) ethical dilemmas, (v) disproportionate violence, (vi) retribution and (vii) religious/spiritual issues. Given this preliminary PMIE evidence identified, there is a need for further research, as well as the development of a suitable moral injury assessment scale appropriate for Australian veterans. Furthermore, given the ethical, moral, and spiritual issues involved, the implementation of a rehabilitation program suitable for Australian veterans which can be provided by chaplains is also suggested-namely 'Pastoral Narrative Disclosure.' It is argued that moral injury needs to be recognized, not just as an issue affecting individual personnel and their families, but is also a community health, organizational and government responsibility.

Chaplaincy, Spiritual Care and Moral Injury: Considerations Regarding Screening and Treatment.

Moral injury is a complex trauma related syndrome involving a correlation of biological, psychological, social, and spiritual symptoms that can have substantial impact upon health and well-being. This paper argues for a holistic bio-psycho-social-spiritual approach to moral injury, by including chaplaincy in the screening and treatment of moral injury among actively serving military members and retired veterans. As part of the moral injury treatment process, and in alignment with the World Health Organization's Spiritual Intervention Codings, a new technique is proposed, "Pastoral Narrative Disclosure" (PND), as a guide for chaplains and others trained in spiritual care to assist those suffering from moral injury.

Moral Injury and Definitional Clarity: Betrayal, Spirituality and the Role of Chaplains.

This article explores the developing definition of moral injury within the current key literature. Building on the previous literature regarding 'Moral Injury, Spiritual Care and the role of Chaplains' (Carey et al. in JORH 55(4):1218-1245, 2016b. doi: 10.1007/s10943-016-0231-x ), this article notes the complexity that has developed due to definitional variations regarding moral injury-particularly with respect to the concepts of 'betrayal' and 'spirituality'. Given the increasing recognition of moral injury and noting the relevance and importance of utilizing a bio-psycho-social-spiritual model, this article argues that betrayal and spirituality should be core components for understanding, defining and addressing moral injury. It also supports the role of chaplains being involved in the holistic care and rehabilitation of those affected by moral injury.

Staged-Volume Radiosurgery of Large Arteriovenous Malformations Improves Outcome by Reducing the Rate of Adverse Radiation Effects.

Background: The treatment of large arteriovenous malformations (AVMs) remains challenging. Recently, staged-volume radiosurgery (SVRS) has become an option. Objective: To compare the outcome of SVRS on large AVMs with our historical, single-stage radiosurgery (SSRS) series. Methods: We have been prospectively collecting data of patients treated by SVRS since 2007. There were 84 patients who had a median age of 37 years (range, 9-62 years) who were treated until July 2013. The outcomes of 76 of those who had follow-ups available were analyzed and compared with the outcomes of 122 patients treated with the best SSRS technique. Results: There were 21.5% of AVMs that were deep seated, and 44% presented with hemorrhage resulting in 45% fixed neurological deficit. There were 14% of patients who had undergone embolization before radiosurgery. The median nidus treatment volume was 19.7 cm3 (6.65-68.7) and 17.5 Gy (13-22.5) prescription isodose was given. Of the 44 lesions having radiological follow-up at 4 years, 61.4% were completely obliterated. Previous embolization (50% with and 63% without) and higher Spetzler-Martin grades appeared to be the negative factors in successful obliteration, but treatment volume was not. Within 3 years after radiosurgery, the annual bleed rates of unruptured and previously ruptured AVMs were 3.2% and 5.6%, respectively. Three bleeds were fatal and 2 resulted in significant modified Rankin scale 3 morbidity. These rates differ little from SSRS. Temporary adverse radiation effects (AREs) did not change significantly, but permanent AREs dropped from 15% to 6.5% (P = .03) compared with SSRS. Conclusion: Obliteration and hemorrhage rates of large AVMs treated by SVRS are similar to historical SSRS. However, SVRS offers a lower rate of AREs.

Moral Injury, Spiritual Care and the Role of Chaplains: An Exploratory Scoping Review of Literature and Resources.

This scoping review considered the role of chaplains with regard to 'moral injury'. Moral injury is gaining increasing notoriety. This is due to greater recognition that trauma (in its various forms) can cause much deeper inflictions and afflictions than just physiological or psychological harm, for there may also be wounds affecting the 'soul' that are far more difficult to heal-if at all. As part of a larger research program exploring moral injury, a scoping review of literature and other resources was implemented utilising Arksey and O'Malley's scoping method (Int J Soc Res Methodol 8(1):19-32, 2005) to focus upon moral injury, spirituality (including religion) and chaplaincy. Of the total number of articles and/or resources noting the term 'moral injury' in relation to spiritual/religious issues (n = 482), the results revealed 60 resources that specifically noted moral injury and chaplains (or other similar bestowed title). The majority of these resources were clearly positive about the role (or the potential role) of chaplains with regard to mental health issues and/or moral injury. The World Health Organization International Classification of Diseases: Australian Modification of Health Interventions to the International Statistical Classification of Diseases and related Health problems (10th revision, vol 3-WHO ICD-10-AM, Geneva, 2002), was utilised as a coding framework to classify and identify distinct chaplaincy roles and interventions with regard to assisting people with moral injury. Several recommendations are made concerning moral injury and chaplaincy, most particularly the need for greater research to be conducted.

Stereotactic radiosurgery for arteriovenous malformations located in deep critical regions.

BACKGROUND: Radiosurgery is widely used to treat deep eloquent arteriovenous malformations (AVMs). OBJECTIVE: To evaluate how anatomic location, AVM size, and treatment parameters define outcome. METHODS: Retrospective analysis of 356 thalamic/basal ganglia and 160 brainstem AVMs treated with gamma knife radiosurgery. RESULTS: Median volume was 2 cm (range, 0.02-50) for supratentorial and 0.5 cm (range, 0.01-40) for brainstem AVMs; the marginal treatment doses were 17.5 to 25 Gy. After single treatment, obliteration was achieved in 65% of the brainstem, in 69% of the supratentorial, and 40% of the peritectal AVMs. Obliteration of lesions <4 cm was better in the brainstem (70%) and in the supratentorium (80%), but not in the peritectal region (40%). Complications were rare (6%-15%) and mild (≤ modified Rankin scale [MRS] 2). Rebleed rate increased with size, but was not higher than before treatment. AVMs >4 cm in the brainstem were treated with unacceptable morbidity and low cure rate. Obliteration of large supratentorial AVMs was 65% to 47% with more complications ≥ MRS3. Repeat radiosurgical treatment led to obliteration in 66% of the cases with minor morbidity. CONCLUSION: Deep eloquent AVMs <4 cm can be treated safely and effectively with radiosurgery. Obliteration of peritectal AVMs is significantly lower after a single treatment. However, morbidity is low, and repeat treatment leads to good obliteration. Radiosurgical treatment >4 cm in the brainstem is not recommended. Supratentorial deep AVMs >8 cm can be treated with radiosurgery with higher risk and lower obliteration rate. However, these lesions are difficult to treat with other treatment modalities, and a 50% success rate makes radiosurgery a good alternative even in this challenging group.

A historical analysis of single-stage γ knife radiosurgical treatment for large arteriovenous malformations: evolution and outcomes.

BACKGROUND: Large arteriovenous malformations (AVMs) remain challenging and difficult to treat, reflected by evolving strategies developed from simple radiosurgical plans, to encompass embolization and, recently, staged volume treatments. To establish a baseline for future practice, we reviewed our clinical experience. METHOD: The outcomes for 492 patients (564 treatments) with AVMs >10 cm(3) treated by single-stage radiosurgery were retrospectively analysed in terms of planning, previous embolization and size. RESULTS: Twenty-eight percent of the patients presented with haemorrhage at a median age of 29 years (range: 2-75). From 1986 to 1993 (157 patients) plans were simplistic, based on angiography using a median of 2 isocentres and a marginal dose of 23 Gy covering 45-70% of the AVM (median volume 15.7 cm(3)). From 1994 to 2000 (225 patients) plans became more sophisticated, a median of 5 isocentres was used, covering 64-95% of the AVM (14.6 cm(3)), with a marginal dose of 21 Gy. Since 2000, MRI has been used with angiography to plan for 182 patients. Median isocentres increased to 7 with similar coverage (62-94%) of the AVM (14.3 cm(3)) and marginal dose of 21 Gy. Twenty-seven percent, 30% and 52% of patients achieved obliteration at 4 years, respectively. The proportion of prior embolization increased from 9% to 44% during the study. Excluding the embolized patients, improvement in planning increased obliteration rates from 28% to 36% and finally 63%. Improving treatment plans did not significantly decrease the rate of persisting radiation-induced side effects (12-16.5%). Complication rate rose with increasing size. One hundred and twenty-three patients underwent a second radiosurgical treatment, with a 64% obliteration rate, and mild and rare complications (6%). CONCLUSIONS: Better visualization of the nidus with multimodality imaging improved obliteration rates without changing morbidity. Our results support the view that prior embolization can make interpretation of the nidus more difficult, reducing obliteration rate. It will be important to see how results of staged volume radiosurgery compare with this historical material.

Stereotactic radiosurgery for deep-seated cavernous malformations: a move toward more active, early intervention. Clinical article.

OBJECT: The role of radiosurgery in the treatment of cavernous malformations (CMs) remains controversial. It is frequently recommended only for inoperable lesions that have bled at least twice. Rehemorrhage can carry a substantial risk of morbidity, however. The authors reviewed their practice of treating deep-seated inoperable CMs to assess the complication rate of radiosurgery, the impact that radiosurgery might have on rebleeding, and whether a more active, earlier intervention is justified in managing this condition. METHODS: The authors performed a retrospective analysis of 113 patients with 79 brainstem and 39 thalamic/basal ganglia CMs treated with Gamma Knife surgery. Lesions were stratified into 2 groups: those that might be lower risk with no more than 1 symptomatic bleed before radiosurgical treatment and those deemed high risk with multiple symptomatic hemorrhages before treatment. RESULTS: Forty-one CMs had multiple symptomatic hemorrhages before radiosurgery with a first-ever bleed rate of 2.9% per lesion per year, a rebleed rate of 30.5% per lesion per year, and a median time of 1.5 years between the first and second bleeds. In this group the rebleed rate decreased to 15% for the first 2 years after radiosurgery and declined further to 2.4% thereafter. Pretreatment multiple bleeds led to persistent deficits in 72% of the patients. Seventy-seven CMs had no more than 1 symptomatic bleed before radiosurgery, making for a lifetime bleed rate of 2.2% per lesion per year. The short period between the presenting bleed and treatment (median 1 year) makes the natural history in this group uncertain. The rate of hemorrhage in the first 2 years after treatment was 5.1%, and 1.3% thereafter. Pretreatment hemorrhages resulted in permanent deficits in 43% of the patients in this group, a rate significantly lower than in the multiple-bleeds group (p < 0.001). Posttreatment hemorrhages led to persistent deficits in only 7.3% of the patients. Permanent adverse radiation effects were rare (7.3%) and minor in both groups. CONCLUSIONS: Stereotactic radiosurgery is a safe management strategy for CMs in eloquent sites with the marked advantage of reducing rebleed risks in patients with repeated pretreatment hemorrhages. The benefit in treating CMs with a single bleed is less clear. Note, however, that repeated hemorrhage carries a significant risk of increased morbidity far in excess of any radiosurgery-related morbidity, and the authors assert that this finding justifies the early active management of deep-seated CMs.

Intracranial dural arteriovenous malformations: results of stereotactic radiosurgery in 17 patients.

AIM: To assess the efficacy of stereotactic radiosurgery (STRS) for the treatment of dural arteriovenous fistulae (DAVF). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Between November 1987 and December 1998, 17 patients with a total of 18 DAVF were treated with STRS at the National Centre for Stereotactic Radiosurgery, Sheffield. Clinical and radiological data was collected retrospectively from the case notes and radiological records. Two neuroradiologists classified the pre-STRS appearance of the DAVF using the Borden criteria, and reviewed the follow-up imaging. Up to date follow-up was requested from the GPs and referring consultants. RESULTS: In retrospect one DAVF had been misdiagnosed and was excluded from the study. The remaining 17 DAVF were located at the tentorium (6), cavernous sinus (3), right parasellar region (1), floor of left middle cranial fossa (1), midline posterior fossa (1), petrous apex (1) and transverse sinus (4). Ten were Borden type I, four were type II, three were type III. Follow-up angiography was available for 13 patients; 10 DAVF were completely obliterated, two showed considerable reduction in size, one showed deterioration. Clinical follow-up was available for 14 of the 16 patients. CONCLUSION: Stereotactic radiosurgery can successfully obliterate DAVF with few side effects.

Dural arteriovenous fistulae: noninvasive diagnosis with dynamic MR digital subtraction angiography.

MR digital subtraction angiography (DSA) is a new diagnostic tool capable of producing dynamic images of the cerebral circulation with the injection of gadopentetate dimeglumine into a peripheral vein. Previous reports have concentrated on its potential as a noninvasive technique for the study of pial arteriovenous malformations. In this report, we present our early findings with MR DSA in the evaluation of intracranial dural arteriovenous fistulae.