The EPICC project : inception, origins and outputs

Abstract

This chapter provides an overview of the EPICC project. This information is crucial to understanding the heritage, origins and context of the project. The material presented is derived from an evidence base developed by many of the contributors to this text which has been almost three decades in its generating and refinement. Many of the contributors have devoted their entire nursing and midwifery careers to the development of best practice in spiritual care, education, research and ultimately patient care. The fundamental goal of the EPICC project is to promote excellence in spiritual care education by offering a standardised approach to the teaching of these concepts.

During the EPICC project (2016–2019), approximately 200 stakeholders have contributed to the development of the four key outputs: (a) EPICC Gold Standard Matrix for Spiritual Care Education, (b) The Gold Standard Matrix for Spiritual Care Education Narrative to the Matrix, (c) EPICC Spiritual Care Education Standard, and (d) EPICC Adoption Toolkit. These resources detailed in the following chapters are guiding improvements in the way spiritual aspects of nursing and midwifery care are taught internationally.