Developing and validating a framework for providing spiritual health services for medical universities’ students

Abstract

Purpose: Spiritual Health Services is care of individuals, focusing on personal beliefs, core values, significant relationships, meanings, and behaviors around which we understand our lived experience. Despite the irrefutable effect of spiritual health on overall human health, the purpose of this study was to develop and validate a framework for providing spiritual health services in Medical universities of Iran. Methods:This study is a qualitative study with Grounded Theory approach which was conducted in Tabriz University of Medical Sciences. To select participants, purposive sampling method was used at the starting, and during the interviews theoretical sampling was also used to identify people who could provide researchers with rich and useful information. 14 interviewers were selected and data were collected through semi-structured interviews and analyzed by content analysis method.Results: Spiritual health service provision framework for medical university students developed in 11 themes including: service package, service package developer, service providing responsibility, service providers, skills required for provision services, service delivery location, service delivery method, needed resources and infrastructure, the authority to provide required resources, the reimbursement method for service providers, and services evaluation method. These 11 themes include 53 subthemes. Conclusion:In developing this framework, it was attempted to take into account all aspects and dimensions of a comprehensive framework. Therefore, it can serve as a practical guide for planning and decision making for authorities.