Can spirituality be taught or is it Inherent? An evaluation Beyond Belief: Religion and Belief in Professional Practice Bradford 7 September 2011 Jill Banks Howe Principal 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 details Jill Banks Howe Principal Lecturer, End of Life Care. School of Health & Social Care, Centuria Building, Teesside University, MIDDLESBROUGH, Tees Valley. TS1 3BA. United Kingdom Tel: