Can spirituality be taught or is it Inherent?

An evaluationBeyond Belief: Religion and Belief

in Professional PracticeBradford 7 September 2011

Jill Banks HowePrincipal Lecturer

End of Life Care

Evaluation

This evaluation was undertaken by; ‘Centre for Health and Social Evaluation’;

Teesside University. ‘Spirituality in Health & Social Care’.(Degree level 30 Credit Module)

Three areas of the Learning Strategy• Introduce the student to the concept of

spirituality.• Critically examine spirituality in relationship to

patients and cares.• Facilitate the student to appreciate their own

spirituality and its impact on care.

Quotations from students:• “A difficult subject to cover...course provided insight

into recognising spiritual distress and assisting spiritual wellbeing, which is an extremely difficult challenge for any one person”.

• “This module has been one of the most interesting I have attended. I would say it is the most important and benefits my patients more than any other. My only regret is that there wasn’t a spirituality module in 1988 when I commenced my nurse training”.

• “The more diverse the group, the better the interaction and the better the course is, because people are coming from things at very different ways and I think it enriched the experience of learning”.

• “Following the course I've recognised that actually I have been addressing the spiritual aspects of people and never realised that’s what I'm doing. I simply did not have the language to describe it”.

• “I have reflected much more about the origins of my own beliefs and felt challenged to seek and understand the justification for them”.

• “I am much more aware of the spiritual component of me and I have found myself thinking about it more”.

Contact detailsJill Banks Howe Principal Lecturer, End of Life Care. School of Health & Social Care, Centuria Building, Teesside University, MIDDLESBROUGH, Tees Valley. TS1 3BA. United KingdomTel: 00-44-1642 384180 E-mail G.Banks-Howe@tees.ac.uk