19th - 21st June 2023
Presentation 1:
SHA’s Research Leader, Dr Cuong La and Quality and Advocacy Leader, Craig Exon will present National co-designed consistent model of spiritual care in Australian health care system
In Australia, healthcare has undergone significant changes over the past 20 years with the shift towards patient-centre care; prioritisation of mental health; and the technology-facilitated applications. Research shows that patients who receive professional spiritual care often experience better health outcomes. In fact, it is underinvested: there is no equitable access to spiritual care in hospitals. It is not always accepted as an integral part of whole person care. Many health services do not have clarity about the role of spiritual care practitioners. These inconsistent in spiritual care expose health services to quality and safety risks.
Commissioned by Spiritual Health Association, MosaicLab undertook a co-design project engaging SHA with key leadership stakeholders across Australia to identify key issues facing spiritual care provision in hospitals and determine solutions for a consistent model. The model was informed by a literature review; a desktop review; nine interviews, two group discussions, and two workshops with relevant leaders across Australian health sector. These focus on identifying the role of spiritual care in public health; dilemmas facing spiritual care; enablers and elements of a consistent model. Under this model, spiritual care is suggested to be delivered by a professional spiritual care workforce, employed by health services, and fully integrated into the organisational structure that is aligned to holistic person-centred care; integrated governance; professionalised workforce; and sustainable resourcing. The contemporary model can be used to develop a new spiritual care service or enhance an existing one.
Presentation 2:
Craig Exon will present Implementation of a Validated Assessment in Spiritual Care Practice: Spiritual Distress Assessment Tool (SDAT).
Patients presenting to acute hospital services benefit from spiritual care, however validated outcome measures are not commonly used to assess the spiritual needs of patients and evaluate the effectiveness of Spiritual Care interventions. The aim of this study was to evaluate the feasibility of using a validated outcome measure in Spiritual Care practice, and assess spiritual distress levels experienced by patients presenting to acute hospital settings.
5th - 7th July 2023
This conference is curious about an alternative way, and seeks to explore and champion a Christian spirituality that responds to our time. What does it sound like when Christian spirituality becomes conversational, rather than didactic? Where is the expression of Christian spirituality being recognised as profoundly hopeful, transformative and relevant to everyday people from all walks of life? Click here for more information about the conference.
7th - 9th August 2023
The Theme – Expanding Horizons will encourage all participants to explore the many and varied opportunities and contributions of Allied Health. There will be an exciting program of speakers, workshops, exhibitors and lots of networking opportunities.
SHA's Quality and Advocacy Leader, Craig Exon will present National co-designed consistent model of spiritual care in Australian health care system and will offer the Spiritual Distress Assessment Tool (SDAT) as a poster.
Click here for more information.
13th - 15th September 2023
With the end in mind - shaping stronger health systems, delivering quality palliative care.
SHA's CEO Cheryl Holmes will present Improving the quality of spiritual care at end of life. It will be presented as part of a plenary session during the conference.
Come together for the premier palliative care conference in the southern hemisphere, with over 800 industry leaders, experts, academics, and practitioners from across Australia and beyond. Click here for more information about the conference.