The development of a consensus-based spiritual care education standard for undergraduate nursing and midwifery students : an educational mixed methods study

Abstract

AIMS: The aim of this study was to develop a consensus-based Spiritual Care Education Standard for undergraduate N/M students to use in undergraduate programmes.

DESIGN: Mixed methods were used consisting of qualitative and quantitative methods based on the principles of Delphi research.

METHODS: The sample consisted of a total of 58 (N = 58) participants from 21 European countries. Data collection was conducted from June 2017 - February 2019 and took place in facilitated iterative action learning cycles and online surveys. Data were analysed by descriptive statistics and qualitative analysis. Consensus was stated by >90% agreement.

RESULTS: The process resulted in an EPICC Spiritual Care Education Standard consisting of the following four spiritual care competences: Intrapersonal spirituality, Interpersonal spirituality, Spiritual care: assessment and planning, Spiritual care: intervention and evaluation. For every competence, learning outcomes were described in knowledge, skills and attitudes.

CONCLUSION: This Standard guides N/M spiritual care education, student assessment and research. It can be the starting point for discussing spiritual care competences in other healthcare professions. Follow-up research should focus on implementation of the standard and on assessment of students’ spiritual competence.

IMPACT: The Standard guides curriculum and programme development. The Standard guides students in performing their learning process. The Standard provides a frame of reference for policy making and follow-up research.