Learning to Treat the Whole Person: Assessing Spiritual Care Curriculum Inclusion at Faith and Non-Faith-Based Doctor of Physical Therapy and Master of Athletic Training Programs in Texas

Authors

Tricia Blalock, Baylor UniversityFollow
Heather Hudson, Baylor UniversityFollow
Andrew R. Meyer, Baylor UniversityFollow
Ryan Hebdon, Baylor UniversityFollow

Abstract

Purpose: Given the identified importance of assessing the spiritual domain of health as a component of cultural competence and holistic care in physical therapy and athletic training and the importance that their governing bodies have indicated that spiritual care should play in treating patients, this current study examined how faculty, at entry-level Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) and Master of Athletic Training (MAT) programs in Texas, perceive the importance and inclusion of spiritual dimensions of care in their programs. Methods: We disseminated an online, cross-sectional, mixed-methods survey to a total of 289 faculty members from a total of 27 programs (15 physical therapy, 12 athletic training) collecting quantitative and qualitative data from program coordinators and faculty at such terminal degree programs in Texas. Results: First, based on the analysis, we discovered that faculty at both faith-based (FB) and non-faith-based programs (NFB) believe it is important for students to learn about the spiritual dimensions of care, with FB programs reporting higher importance about certain concepts of spiritual care. Second, our results revealed there was little difference in the inclusion of spiritual dimensions of care between FB and NFB programs. Third, our results indicated there is similarity and unique differences in the barriers identified by the two groups. Conclusion: Overall, these findings provide insights as to why spiritual dimensions of health care are deemed important by educations in these professional healthcare training programs and yet reveal there is a lack of such training for emerging practitioners even at faith-based programs. We conclude that when programs and governing bodies exclude spiritual dimensions of patient care, holistic patient centered care is diminished.

Author Bio(s)

Tricia Blalock, PT, DPT, MPH, CLT is the Director of the Health Science Studies Program for the Department of Health, Human Performance and Recreation in Robbins College at Baylor University in Waco, Texas. Dr. Blalock is a licensed physical therapist in Texas and a board-certified specialist in Geriatrics.

Heather Hudson, EdD, LAT, ATC is the Director of Athletic Training Program and Clinical Associate Professor for the Department of Health, Human Performance and Recreation in Robbins College at Baylor University in Waco, Texas. Dr. Hudson is a board certified and licensed athletic trainer through the Board of Certification.

Andrew R. Meyer, PhD, is an Associate Professor in Sport Foundations in the Department of Health, Human Performance and Recreations at Baylor University in Waco, TX. He teaches courses on sport and religion, sport psychology, and his research explores muscular Christian themes in global contemporary sport settings.

Acknowledgements

N/A

Recommended Citation

Blalock T, Hudson H, Meyer AR, Hebdon R. Learning to Treat the Whole Person: Assessing Spiritual Care Curriculum Inclusion at Faith and Non-Faith-Based Doctor of Physical Therapy and Master of Athletic Training Programs in Texas. The Internet Journal of Allied Health Sciences and Practice. 2025 Aug 08;23(4), Article 12.