Applied Education of Spiritual Health in Iranian Medical Sciences

Abstract

Introduction: Spiritual health in medical education literature is considered as an intrinsic and essential element of a culture-centered concept which exclusively occurs in every society. Applying spiritual health in the education and health systems is subject to proper training in this area. Therefore, the purpose of this study is to explain the factors affecting the applied education of spiritual health in Iranian medical sciences. Methods: This qualitative study was conducted using the inductive content analysis method. Data were collected through in-person and semi-structured interviews with 23 medical professionals (general medicine, clinical sciences, and basic sciences) and analyzed using Lundman and Granheim's suggested steps. Result: Five themes emerged from data analysis. Topics include "Effective Teaching", "consideration of the philosophy of education","effective communication","attention of religious values", "integrated education "and" curriculum revision". Conclusion: to the findings of this study, it is necessary to conduct multiple educational interventions from university policy levels to practical applied education spiritual health. In order to apply spiritual health education in medical sciences, formal education based on the nature of inter-disciplinary disciplines should be designed and developed into a professional and systematic discipline according to the country's religious values and cultural and social variables.