Spirituality in Australian Health Professional Practice: A Scoping Review and Qualitative Synthesis of Findings

Heather So; Lynette Mackenzie; Chris Chapparo; Judy Ranka; Mary Ann McColl

doi:10.1007/s10943-023-01840-5

Spirituality in Australian Health Professional Practice: A Scoping Review and Qualitative Synthesis of Findings

J Relig Health. 2023 Aug;62(4):2297-2322. doi: 10.1007/s10943-023-01840-5. Epub 2023 Jun 12.

Authors

Heather So¹, Lynette Mackenzie², Chris Chapparo², Judy Ranka², Mary Ann McColl³

Affiliations

¹ Discipline of Occupational Therapy, School of Health Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of Sydney, Camperdown, NSW, 2006, Australia. hbar8853@uni.sydney.edu.au.
² Discipline of Occupational Therapy, School of Health Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of Sydney, Camperdown, NSW, 2006, Australia.
³ The Faculty of Health Sciences, Queen's University, Kingston, ON, Canada.

Abstract

This study explores how spirituality is integrated into practice across the different Australian health professions. Utilising the Joanna Briggs Institute's (JBI) protocol, six databases were searched, and sixty-seven articles were finally included. To present the findings, a qualitative synthesis was used. 'Meaning' and 'purpose in life' were found to be key to many spirituality definitions. The most frequently reported approach for Australian health professionals (HPs) in asking about client spirituality was using one or two questions within a comprehensive assessment. Major facilitators included a holistic care approach and prior training, whereas a key barrier was a lack of time.

Keywords: Australia; Health professional; Religion; Spiritual care; Spirituality.

Publication types

Review

MeSH terms

Australia
Health Personnel
Humans
Professional Practice
Spiritual Therapies*
Spirituality*