Volume 25, Issue 2 (March-April 2026)
Payesh 2026, 25(2): 271-283 |
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Heidari A, Ardebili M, Heidari M. Explaining and clarifying spiritual/ religious competencies needed for medical education graduates. Payesh 2026; 25 (2) :271-283
URL: http://payeshjournal.ir/article-1-2691-en.html
URL: http://payeshjournal.ir/article-1-2691-en.html
1- Spiritual health research center, Qom University of miedical sciences, Qom, Iran
2- School of health and religion, Qom University of miedical sciences, Qom, Iran
2- School of health and religion, Qom University of miedical sciences, Qom, Iran
Abstract: (48 Views)
Objective(s): From a competency-based perspective, medical education system should train healthcare providers with different competencies so that they are capable of addressing patients' needs with a holistic approach. With regard to spiritual health as a part of human health, the importance of developing religious/ spiritual competencies has become more apparent. Nevertheless, there is no systematic program for the development of the required competencies in the field of spiritual health in Iran. Before developing a program, it should be clarified that what kind of religious/ spiritual competencies are needed to be developed in Iranian medical education? This study was designed and implemented with the aim of explaining the optimum religious/ spiritual competencies of graduates of medical universities in Iran.
Methods: This was a mixed method study including a qualitative and a quantitative stages. In the qualitative stage, after reviewing related literature, deep, semi-structured interviews were conducted with a number of medical experts. The content analysis of the interviews led to a conceptual framework of the competencies and a list of religious/ spiritual competencies. In the quantitative stage, the list that was offered to a number of experts and was validated according to their opinions.
Results: The study led to the development of the conceptual framework of religious/ spiritual competencies in three domains: religious/ spiritual knowledge, religious/ spiritual attitude, and religious/ spiritual performance both in personal and social-professional dimensions. Moreover, a list of religious/ spiritual competencies was developed and validated with 58 items.
Conclusion: Developing religious/ spiritual competencies is a main component of medical education programs. Addressing different domains of these competencies could lead to improved healthcare providers, promoting medical education and consequently a better health service delivery system.
Keywords: spiritual health, competency-based education, religious competencies, spiritual competencies, holistic health, mixed method study, medical education
type of study: Qualitative Study |
Subject:
Sicial Medicine
Received: 2024/10/15 | Accepted: 2026/01/17 | ePublished ahead of print: 2026/04/11 | Published: 2026/04/21
Received: 2024/10/15 | Accepted: 2026/01/17 | ePublished ahead of print: 2026/04/11 | Published: 2026/04/21
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