GAPS IN TEACHING SPIRITUALITY IN UNDERGRADUATE MEDICAL EDUCATION

Abstract

In this paper I attempt to point out some of the gaps in Canadian undergraduate medical education as it is practiced at the present time due to our Canadian lack of recognition of the importance of the spiritual component in disease processes and their healing. My methodological approach to this topic is to attempt to review contemporary practice of the teaching of spirituality in Canadian medical schools.

In order to accomplish my task of reviewing the teaching of spirituality in medical education, I initially contacted the librarians of both the Canadian Medical Association and The College of Family Physicians of Canada. It proved particularly difficult since the literature these librarians made available to me appeared to be mainly American and there is practically nothing comparable on the Canadian side. Both the American literature on spirituality in medical teaching, and the Canadian literature where it existed, were new to me. My hope was to find out what teaching on spirituality in medical practice occurred in Canada. However my initial review of the literature, facilitated especially by the Canadian Medical Association's librarian, resulted in primarily references to American studies. While our two countries have many similarities, there are certainly outstanding differences, one of which is the general population's attitude towards religion. While the Americans are in general a religious people the Canadians appear to be generally less so. In both countries, however, researchers in this area avoid the term religion, preferring the somewhat nebulous term "spirituality". But this term needs to be ' unpacked' for any particular audience. Also, when referring to the effects of 'spiritual' intervention what is actually often referred to ought to be termed religiosity.