| CODE | IFC5002 | ||||||||||||
| TITLE | Embracing Spiritual Consciousness of Health and Wellbeing | ||||||||||||
| UM LEVEL | 05 - Postgraduate Modular Diploma or Degree Course | ||||||||||||
| MQF LEVEL | 7 | ||||||||||||
| ECTS CREDITS | 10 | ||||||||||||
| DEPARTMENT | Faculty of Theology | ||||||||||||
| DESCRIPTION | Spirituality is an important aspect of holistic care that is frequently overlooked. This study-unit seeks to critically discuss the importance of integrating the spiritual dimension of care in healthcare and across the lifespan continuum, while identifying the difficulties in conceptualizing spirituality and religiosity. The study-unit seeks to explain the theoretical and practical underpinnings encompassing a wide range of practices and experiences, aimed at cultivating inner peace, resilience, compassion, and connection to something greater than oneself, be it a higher power, nature, humanity, or the universe. The study-unit provides theoretical and practical insights from various disciplines which form the foundation for understanding and fostering spiritual growth and wellbeing. This provides students with the opportunity to reflect on their values, goals, and aspirations, leading to a greater sense of meaning and purpose in their lives. Study-unit Aims: The aims of this study-unit are to: - Deepen theoretical understanding of spirituality and spiritual care; - Enhance practical skills and foster interdisciplinary collaboration in spiritual care; - Promote further research and evidence-based practice in addressing the spiritual dimensions of health and well-being. Learning Outcomes: 1. Knowledge & Understanding: By the end of the study-unit the student will be able to: - Define spirituality and religiosity from a holistic perspective; - Describe the multidimensional nature of Spirituality, including its relationship to religion, culture, and personal beliefs; - Critically discuss key theoretical frameworks and models of spirituality, including spiritual development theories; - Identify and articulate spiritual needs and concerns experienced by individuals across the lifespan, particularly in the context of health, illness, and suffering; - Evaluate the diversity of spiritual and religious beliefs and practices across cultures, traditions, and belief systems, and recognize the importance of cultural competence in spiritual care; - Discuss various spiritual coping mechanisms and strategies that individuals use to find meaning, purpose, and resilience in the face of adversity, illness, and loss. 2. Skills: By the end of the study-unit the student will be able to: - Effectively communicate with individuals from diverse cultural and religious backgrounds about spiritual matters engaging in active listening and empathetic communication to understand and address spiritual needs and concerns; - Utilize appropriate spiritual assessment tools and techniques in order to conduct comprehensive spiritual assessments to identify individuals' spiritual dimensions needs of health and well-being; - Demonstrate cultural competence and sensitivity in providing spiritual care to individuals from diverse cultural, ethnic, and religious backgrounds; - Apply guidance and resources to help individuals integrate spirituality into their coping strategies and overall well-being; - Navigate ethical dilemmas related to spirituality and healthcare with integrity and sensitivity, adhering to ethical guidelines and professional standards in the provision of spiritual care, maintaining confidentiality, autonomy, and respect for individuals' beliefs and values. Main Text/s and any supplementary readings: Main Texts: Baldacchino, D. (2010) Spiritual Care: Being in Doing. Preca Library. Clarke, J. (2013) Spiritual Care in Everyday Nursing Practice: A New Approach. Palgrave Publishing. Rogers, M. (2021) Spiritual Dimensions of Advanced Practice Nursing. Stories of Hope. Springer. Timmins, F., Caldeira, S. (2019) Spirituality in Healthcare: Perspectives for Innovative Practice. Springer. McSherry, W., Boughey, A., Attard, J. (2021) Enhancing Nurses’ and Midwives’ Competence in Providing Spiritual care. Springer. Supplementary Readings: Gaskin I.M. (2002) Spiritual Midwifery. Book Publishing Company London. Hall J. (2001) Midwifery, Mind and spirit. Emerging issues of Care. Books for Midwifery. Oxford. Johnston Taylor E. (2007) What do I say? Templeton Foundation Press Philadelphia and London. King, D.E., Koenig, H.E. (2001) Faith, Spirituality, and Medicine: Toward the Making of the Healing Practitioner. 1st Ed Routledge UK. Koenig, H.E., VanderWeele, T., Peteet, J.R. (2023) Handbook of Religion and Health 3rd Edition. Oxford University Press. McSherry, W. (2007) Making Sense of Spirituality in Nursing and Health Care Practice. M&K Publishing. McSherry, W., Ross, L. (2011) Spiritual assessment in healthcare practice. M&K Publishing. Robert Wicks, Handbook of Spirituality for Ministers 2 Vols (Paulist Press, 1995). |
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| STUDY-UNIT TYPE | Lecture, Seminar & Independent Study | ||||||||||||
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The University makes every effort to ensure that the published Courses Plans, Programmes of Study and Study-Unit information are complete and up-to-date at the time of publication. The University reserves the right to make changes in case errors are detected after publication.
The availability of optional units may be subject to timetabling constraints. Units not attracting a sufficient number of registrations may be withdrawn without notice. It should be noted that all the information in the description above applies to study-units available during the academic year 2024/5. It may be subject to change in subsequent years. |
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