Spirituality in Occupational Therapy: Theory in Practice?

Abstract

Spirituality is recognised as an essential component of holistic practice, which can have a significant impact on individuals' health and occupation (Christiansen 1997). As such, the need for occupational therapists to recognise and address this area of clients' lives has been identified. However, occupational therapists appear to have some difficulty in addressing this area in practice. This study aimed to examine the factors contributing to any such gap between professional theory and practice and to highlight the ways that any difficulties could be overcome. Postal questionnaires of primarily quantitative design were sent to 98 randomly selected hospital-based occupational therapy departments across England; 79 (81%) were returned completed. Role ambiguity and the lack of inclusion of spirituality in assessments were found to be factors increasing the perceived difficulty of some respondents in addressing religious/spiritual beliefs in practice. The awareness of occupational therapy models was found to increase respondents' perceived confidence and clarity regarding addressing religious/spiritual beliefs in practice. Practical training and information were identified as methods by which confidence in addressing these aspects may be increased.

A Cross-Sectional Descriptive Study of Occupational Therapy Students’ Perceptions and Attitudes Towards Spirituality and Spiritual Care in Occupational Therapy Education

“…However, these findings contradict with items 10 and 13 that participants less agreed with these items-'It is my responsibility to address my client's spiritual needs' and 'I am confident addressing the spiritual needs of my clients when their beliefs are similar to my own', respectively. These findings are in agreement with Thompson and MacNeil's (2008), Csontó (2009) likewise Belcham's (2004) suggestions that students, clinician and educators need to be thoroughly trained on spiritual assessments. Therefore, these suggestions may mean that there is a need for role models in practice in order to enhance occupational therapists' knowledge, skills and attitudes towards spirituality in practice.…”

“…For many years, in the occupational therapy profession, the importance of spirituality and spiritual care seems to be controversial because it is unclear how these concepts are integrated in occupational therapy education (Csontó 2009;Belcham 2004;Morris et al 2012;Wilding 2002;Thompson and MacNeil 2006). Despite the growing number of studies on spirituality and spiritual care, there continues to be a gap in the training of occupational therapists to be truly holistic clinicians (Morris et al 2012;Morris 2007).…”

“…Although occupational therapy students are being educated to consider a holistic and client-centred approach, spirituality is not regarded within this framework which diminishes the integrity of holistic approach. Additionally, the views of students, educators and clinicians have not been explored regarding the inclusion of spirituality and spiritual care in occupational therapy education (Belcham 2004;Johnston and Mayers 2005). In South African occupational therapy education, it is unclear whether any single course on teaching and learning of spirituality and spiritual care exists.…”

“…Many occupational therapists and researchers have commented on the need to address spirituality in occupational therapy education (Morris 2007;Wilding 2002Wilding , 2003Belcham 2004;Kelso-Wright 2012). This was also a concern in a study conducted that examined the responses of occupational therapists on the subject of spirituality in occupational therapy practice (Morris et al 2012).…”

“…Therefore, Morris et al's study identified a gap between education, theory and practice in occupational therapy. Various researchers have emphasised that there is a need to bridge the gap between professional theory and practice relating to spirituality in occupational therapy (Csontó 2009;Belcham 2004). They further identified that practical training and strategies might be of help to enhance occupational therapists' confidence.…”