Teaching Pharmacy Students the Relevance of Spirituality in Patient Care
Mahtab Jafaripages: 7 - 14
- DOI: 10.1300/J060v07n02_03
- Version of record first published: 22Jun1999
Abstract:
This pilot program sought to design, implement, and evaluate the importance of teaching spirituality in patient care to pharmacy students. Sixty-six pharmacy students participated in a case-based teaching program about spirituality and healing. At its end, students wrote a paper discussing whether they believed that a knowledge of patients' spiritual beliefs affected the care they provided patients. Participating students and faculty evaluated the program based on content, presentation style, and applicability to patient care. Results showed that 94 percent of students believed knowledge of spiritual beliefs is important to caring for patients. All students wanted to learn more about spirituality and its relationship to patient care. Faculty believed that this pilot program would enhance patient care skills among pharmacy students and they recommended the addition of this program to the patient-based portion of our curriculum.