Exploring the spiritual/religious dimension of patients: a timely opportunity for personal and professional reflection for graduating medical students

J Relig Health. 2013 Dec;52(4):1066-72. doi: 10.1007/s10943-013-9716-z.

Abstract

Teaching about spirituality in medical school training is lacking. Spirituality is a dimension of humanity that can put experiences of health and illness into a meaningful context. Medical students might benefit from understanding how spirituality is an important element in learning to care for patients. Spirituality also provides a context for medical students to explore their own motivations for doctoring. This article describes a longitudinal senior elective course at the end of their medical school training to delve into matters of religion/spirituality surrounding patient care. The authors pose their own perspectives on what both students and faculty gained from the experience.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Curriculum*
  • Faculty
  • Focus Groups
  • Humans
  • Motivation / physiology
  • Patient Care / psychology
  • Religion and Medicine*
  • Schools, Medical*
  • Spirituality*
  • Students, Medical / psychology*
  • United States