Description
The very best time for a healthcare professional to begin integrating spiritual interventions into patient care is during their initial training. Even during their training years, students can begin communicating their faith by praying with patients and taking a spiritual history, as well as various other ways. The development of a healthcare professional’s capacity to meet a patient’s physical needs should ideally be accompanied by training to address spiritual needs as well.
Discussion Questions
1. What from this video inspired, edified or challenged you?
2. As a student or resident, have you had the opportunity to interact with a patient on a spiritual level (take a spiritual history, discuss a faith flag, offer or share prayer, etc.)? How did it go? Would you do anything differently next time?
3. What are some of your own reservations about sharing with patients? Are you personally comfortable with sharing? Why or why not?
4. Liz Flaherty began a student Bible study at the University of Minnesota. What are some ways God could work through a Bible study at your school? How might you go about starting one or making it better?
5. 1 Peter 3:15 – Dr. Scarbrough discussed providing hope to our patients. According to Peter, how can we do that?
6. Dr. Edmund Thomas speaks of being invited to a Bible study during dental school, then going on a mission trip where he “heard that same gospel message preached by a completely different set of people.” Has God used multiple sources to confirm the truth of the gospel in your life? Perhaps there is a seeker in your life, waiting for a confirmation from someone like you!
7. James 5:16 – James emphasizes prayer having a place in our healing. How do you think prayer can benefit our patients?
8. As a student, you just returned to the call room and report that your patient was agreeable and happy to accept prayer prior to their surgery planned later today. Your upper-level resident looks at you and says, “Why did you do that? We have chaplains who come around for that kind of stuff.” How would you respond?
9. Dr. Farr Curlin calls students to “be light and salt” (Matthew 5:13-14). In the world of healthcare, what are some ways you can do this, even as a student?
10. Matthew 9:35-38 – What does Jesus ask His disciples to pray for? How can you answer that call from Jesus?
11. What is one take-home item from today’s session that you hope to implement?