The Effectiveness of an Interdisciplinary Team Approach in Promoting Health & Wellness in Faith Communities Tom Pruski, RN, MAPS Wesley Seminary Heal the Sick Program Director

Current Trends Changes in Healthcare – A.C.A. population based model Changes in Culture & Impact on Religious Institutions & Societal Structures Institutional Church on decline Need for innovative faith & health education models to address various learners & disciplines Clergy, laity - practice an integrated faith life beyond the walls of the church, ongoing faith formation Professionals, students, public health sector– greater appreciation of interdisciplinary work, teams

Four questions in building interdisciplinary health teams: What do you think it takes to build a ‘healthy’ health team for a faith community? What are some characteristics of successful interdisciplinary health teams? What are some challenges in building interdisciplinary health teams? How do you develop successful interdisciplinary health teams?

Some Various Disciplines Involved in Health Ministry Healthcare Professionals – registered nurses Professionals – lawyers, accountants, etc. Clergy Seminarians Volunteers Artists – Massage Therapists, Musicians, Art Therapy

Health Ministry Roles Clergy – Professional, Seminarians Faith Community Nursing Health Ministers - Different Denominational and Public Health Use Variety of Terms “congregational health promoter” “lay health promoter” “congregational health leader” Leaders of Various Ministries Emerging Roles Health and Wellness Coaching, Life Coaching

Building Structure: Faith Community Health Ministry Models Health Ministry Encompasses One or a Hybrid of These Various Models: Faith Community Nurse Health Ministers Health Committee or Health & Wellness Team Various Ministry leaders – social concerns, etc. Pastoral Associate, Clergy Various Ministries – Faith Formation, Social Justice, Stephen’s Ministry, etc.

Enter Education Program & Follow Professional Standards Guiding Various Health Ministry Roles & Practices

Important Questions for Health Ministries in Faith Communities Is our health ministry team a true representation of our faith community? Are you serving inside or outside our faith community? or both? How will you know we are successful? How will you evaluate your actions and impact? Does your entire faith community understand what health ministry is?

Challenges in Health Ministry: Role Expectations Role descriptions Pursue education to know role People do not want to become involved, if there is a lack of clear expectations Role time limit, increasing important to our busy culture Define structures and roles of different people/disciplines

Supporting Health Ministries Through Networks Local Hospital/Primary Care Based Congregational Networks Community Based Congregational Networks self-determines their own goals, objectives, and mission powerful advocate, independent voices Regional Networks through HMA Internet Resources - Online Discussion Groups, list Be creative

Continuity from Educational Foundation to Network Involvement Faith Community Nurse Foundational Education Health Minister Education Health Committee Education Additional Education for Specific Roles – Stephen Ministry, mental health Congregational Network Support Resource Support – sharing resources, best practices Continuing Education for Various Health Ministry Roles – know trends, resources

Essential Elements to Interdisciplinary Health Ministry Team Development Understanding connections to Mission: Personal Local Faith Community Denomination Institutional – Healthcare, Educational, Etc. Need to speak Common Language and have Mutual Understanding on faith & health concepts & context What is a healthy person? What is a healthy community? faith community?

Keys to Success: Support from Institutional Leadership Important to receive support from institutional leadership, without support it is difficult to sustain Clergy Denominational Healthcare Systems Community Leaders Find the passionate champions - from pew to board room – make a personal connection Provide leadership with reasons to support health ministry in different settings, provide evidence

Ways to Build & Promote ‘Healthy’ Healthy Ministries Mentoring (HMA’s FCN model, new models) Build, develop, and maintain healthy relationships among team members, institutional leaders Leadership supporting internal transformation of community life Build, sustain, and grow networks of support for various disciplines Allow equal space, time for individual and interdisciplinary role development

Research, Utilize, & Cite Trusted Resources that Shape Practice The Public Health Institute and the Centers for Disease Control Health Systems Service Learning Group

Other Important Considerations for Interdisciplinary Health Team Consider the diversity of various faith, cultural, and races of the people we serve with Understanding and personal comfortability with different denomination and different faith traditions Important to ‘BE’ with others, listening presence

Who will guide the work? People committed to live out mission and vision in new, concrete ways Boundary leadership on personal and institutional level Spiritual hunger among community/congregational members, and professionals to practice and integrate faith in all aspect of their lives Creating and/or Supporting local congregational health networks

What are we learning? Lack of backbone organizations and lack of coordination is rampant across our competitive society Takes time to build trust among people, partners Public Assumes all Faith Leaders & Medical Professionals Are Competent in all spiritual & medical matters – Congregational Interviews revealed personal and professional fear/anxiety on dealing with death medically and pastorally, may need additional training

What are we learning? Long term, sustained Micro AND Macro efforts required – Institutional Leadership in dialogue – Constantly creating faith and health dialogue through workshops for individuals and communities to engage Leveraging Assets of Institution/Faith Community – Know what you can bring to the table, know your limits too.

Practicing Regular Disciplines: An Essential Element of Health & Wellness Team Members Regular Self-care How is Your Spiritual Life? Reflecting on Self, Work, Recreational life Perspective on Vocation Authenticity Sensitive to Your Own & Others Vulnerabilities, Human Condition, Context Value, Respect, & Honesty in This Context

4 Overarching Characteristics Guiding Interdisciplinary Health Ministry Work Need to speak Common Language and have Mutual Understanding on faith & health concepts & context Develop, form & sustain long lasting Relationships with people from diverse backgrounds – Networking/Support with colleagues, always open to inviting and widening the collaborative circle – Diverse Relationships helps us know different perspectives and talents, honor & respect for the human experience

4 Overarching Characteristics Guiding Interdisciplinary Health Ministry Work Create opportunities to create, build, sustain Trust – Attending partner events – Ongoing Dialogue and Work toward common goals, vision, outcomes Practicing Regular Disciplines of Self-Care Exercise – physical, meditative, etc. Theological Reflection