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Spirituality in occupational therapy: do we practice what we teach?
Douglas N Morris1, Jo Stecher, Kayla M Briggs-Peppler
1College of Health Professions, Florida Gulf Coast University, 10501 FGCU Blvd. S., Fort Myers, FL, 33965, USA, dmorris@fgcu.edu.
Journal of Religion and Health
|March 8, 2012
Summary
Occupational therapists show a gap in understanding and addressing spirituality in practice, despite its inclusion in professional frameworks. Further education is needed to integrate spiritual care into occupational therapy curricula and practice.
Area of Science:
- Occupational Therapy
- Clinical Practice
- Healthcare Education
Background:
- Spirituality is recognized as a component of client-centered practice in occupational therapy, as per the Occupational Therapy Practice Framework (2008).
- Holistic care in occupational therapy necessitates addressing clients' spiritual dimensions.
- Existing professional guidelines imply the integration of spirituality into practice.
Purpose of the Study:
- To examine occupational therapists' understanding and application of spirituality in their practice.
- To identify the gap between education, theory, and practice regarding spirituality in occupational therapy.
- To provide insights for enhancing occupational therapy curricula on the topic of spirituality.
Main Methods:
- A mixed-method study was conducted.
- Data were collected from 97 occupational therapists.
- Quantitative and qualitative data were analyzed to identify trends and themes.
Main Results:
- A significant gap exists between the theoretical inclusion of spirituality and its practical application by occupational therapists.
- Therapists reported a need for a clearer understanding of spirituality and their role in addressing it.
- The study highlighted inconsistencies between educational preparation and clinical practice regarding spiritual care.
Conclusions:
- Occupational therapists require enhanced understanding and training to effectively incorporate spirituality into client evaluations and treatments.
- Educational programs need to be updated to better equip future therapists with the knowledge and skills to address spirituality.
- Bridging the gap between theory and practice is crucial for holistic occupational therapy service delivery.
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