9th Annual Conference

Western medicine has relatively recently begun to investigate and support a mind-body connection in the late 20th century. However Eastern traditions and philosophies have recognized for millennia that humans are whole persons of mind, body and spirit. As we move towards more patient-centered care and culturally competent care, religion and spirituality must be taken into consideration when caring for patients’ health and well-being. There has been limited to no didactic time dedicated to this important aspect of mental health and wellness in residency training. A literature review was conducted to explore the relationship between spirituality and mental health.

Results show patients had more spiritual beliefs and was more significant than for providers. Patients want to talk to their providers about spirituality. Research shows improved medical outcomes with increasing spirituality including lower rates of CAD, MI, cirrhosis, CVA, kidney failure, cancer mortality, overall mortality. Mental health outcomes include improved well being, hope, optimism, meaning and purpose, self esteem and beneficial effects for depression, suicide, anxiety, alcoholism, and psychosis.

Providers are hesitant to discuss spirituality and religion with their patients, despite patients' desire for this. However there Tools are available to help providers include spirituality in their practice of medicine.

Engaging and teaching various education levels, including preschool teacher at a Head Start/Jumpstart site in Boston, Peace Corps Volunteer teaching adult learners in South Africa.
Chief Resident of a FM/Psychiatry Residency, teaching junior residents
Fellow, junior faculty at a FQHC based FM residency where I teach and precept FM and integrative medicine.
Presenter at American Psychiatric Association regarding mental health for refugees.

Spirituality, religion, mental health

Presentation/Lecture with Discussion: present information and engage the learners in discussion about the material.

This session is appropriate for all audiences and skill levels