A new masterclass article by a diverse group of professors from Campbell University explores the concept of spirituality and its potential effects on health.
The article, “Integrating spirituality into physical therapy: exploring its emerging role as a recognized determinant of health,” appears in the current issue of Archives in Physiotherapy.
Dr. Alessandra Narciso Garcia Trepte, an assistant professor in the Department of Physical Therapy College of Pharmacy & Health Sciences, is the lead author.
In the article, the authors, Garcia Trepte says, review the existing evidence on spirituality’s impact on health outcomes, discuss its implications for physical therapy practice and education and provide practical examples of integrating spirituality into clinical care.
Special attention is given to assessment and measurement tools to support its incorporation into practice, she says.
Contributing authors from Campbell’s College of Pharmacy & Health Sciences’ Department of Physical Therapy are Drs. T.R. Goins, assistant professor, and Bridget Eubanks, director of Clinical Education and assistant professor.
Also contributing are Drs. Valerie Joseph, assistant professor in Psychology at the School of Education & Human Sciences, and Adam English, Chair of the Department of Christian Studies and Biomedical Humanities in the College of Arts & Sciences.
English, who teaches courses in Theology, Philosophy and Ethics, said the article is a “fantastic” example of interdisciplinary collaboration. The article, he says, is timely because it rides a wave of current interest in spirituality and health.
“Right now, there is a lot of scholarly excitement around those topics and, in particular, the way that spirituality works as a determinant of health outcomes,” English says.
In June 2024, for example, the journal Health Affairs published an article arguing for and providing evidence for “Spirituality as a Determinant of Health: Emerging Policies, Practices, and Systems.”
Also in June, he says, the American Medical Association passed a resolution, “Spirituality in Medical Education and Practice.” That resolution “recommends the availability of education about spiritual health, defined as meaning, purpose, and connectedness, in curricula in medical school, graduate medical education and continuing physician professional development as an integral part of whole person care.”
According to the abstract from the article by the Campbell authors, “the distinction between spirituality and religion is clarified, with spirituality described as a broader, more personal experience that can exist both within and outside of religious contexts. Research demonstrates that spirituality influences health in mostly positive ways, particularly in areas like mental health, resilience, and coping, making it a critical component of holistic, patient-centered care.
“Ultimately, the authors advocate for recognizing spirituality as a key determinant of health and an important component of healthcare to ensure more inclusive treatment.”
Read the entire article here.