Source: The Daily Toreador
The Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center recently received a $30,000 grant to support the integration of spirituality into undergraduate and graduate medical curricula. The grant was awarded to Thomas F. McGovern, a professor of neuropsychiatry, and Terry McMahon, associate academic dean of neuropsychiatry.
McGovern said the $30,000 will be used over a three-year period to look at the role of spirituality in medicine. McGovern said he believes this is an important opportunity because psychology and psychiatry have a history of distancing themselves from spirituality when it comes to treatment options.
"Spirituality espouses that which gives ultimate meaning to a person's life," McGovern said. "So in a very delicate, considerate, respectful way, we want to empower residents to address the spiritual needs of patients and families."
McGovern said this particular component of treatment will help residents at the HSC better identify with patients who might want to draw on their own spirituality to heal.
"Our residents here come from a variety of wonderful religions including Hindu, Judaism, various Christian communities, Islam and even those who wouldn't identify with any particular religious viewpoint," McGovern said. "It is important to teach them to address the spiritual needs of patients and families while at the same time respecting their own spirituality."