Design, Validation and Implementation of Longitudinal Training of Principles of Spiritual Medicine and Spiritual Health based on the Sound Heart Model to Medical Students

Background and Aim: Medical science education with the highest specialized quality and responding to the needs of society are the missions of Baqiyatallah University of Medical Sciences. Evidence shows that society and the Iranian health system need spiritual health services. Providing spiritual health services as a clinical specialty requires theory. This study was conducted with the aim of designing, validating, and implementing the longitudinal training of "Principles of Spiritual Medicine" and "Spiritual Health" based on the Sound Heart Theory for general medical doctorate students at Baqiyatullah University of Medical Sciences.
Methods: This action research study was conducted from 2019 to 2024 based on Kern and colleagues' method of curriculum development. The steps of the study included: Identification of the general problem and needs assessment, Needs assessment of target learners, Determination of educational goals and outcomes, Determination of educational strategies and methods, Implementation of a longitudinal training program, Program evaluation and results feedback for program modification. The content validity of the materials and teaching methods was confirmed in six specialized panels by 30 members of the Curriculum Planning and Teaching Development Committees of Baqiyatullah Medical School.
Results: The clinical practice of doctors in providing spiritual health services is formed based on scientific theory through formal education with a hidden curriculum. Spiritual health education needs expert and decent professors in the position of spiritual guide (mentor). Future research about spiritual health services in Iran showed challenges in the theorizing, teaching, and applying spiritual health knowledge. The social determinants of students' spiritual health showed the medical students' needs to receive spiritual health education. The design and psychometrics of the Spiritual Health Service Competency Assessment Questionnaire determined the goals and educational outcomes. Competency-based education strategy provides the possibility of community-oriented education. The content of "longitudinal training" of spiritual medical principles is applicable in the form of a 40% modification of the medical etiquette course 1 to 4 in 4 semesters of basic sciences along with a 20% change in "clinical semiology" units. Bedside teaching in the form of "learning by doing" enables skill training. Spiritual health education standards specify program evaluation criteria.
Conclusion: The formal education of principles of spiritual medicine and spiritual health, along with the hidden curriculum, can enable medical students to provide spiritual health services in healthcare centers throughout the life of clients, at different levels of prevention, in the spectrum of health and disease, especially in conditions of spiritual crises.