4240.0: Tuesday, November 14, 2000 - 4:47 PM

Abstract #16206

Incorporating spirituality and traditional healing practices into a regular MPH curriculum

John Casken, MPH, PhD and Lisa Nhomi, BA. School of Public Health, University of Hawaii, 1960 East-West Road, Honolulu, HI 96822-2319, (808)956-5750, casken@hawaii.edu

During the last decade it has become increasingly clear that concentrating on the provision of medical care to people does not necessarily improve either their morbidity or their mortality. Additionally, the rapidly rising amounts of out-of pocket money spent on non-medical approaches are a clear indication of the intense interest in this field. This paper will report on an approach undertaken to integrate spirituality and traditional native Hawaiian healing practices into a regular academic curriculum. The paper will assess the value of the program to the participants ranging from a physician in the military to a non-employed student, based on their evaluations. It will also discuss the logistical and fiscal difficulties of producing a program that does not fit into a regular scholastic formula. The paper will conclude with suggestions on how spirituality and traditional healing practices can be made more mainstream without losing their inherent values that are sometimes antithetical to regular academic approaches.

Learning Objectives: Audience will have a clear understanding of impact of tradtional healing approaches. Audience will have a clear understanding of the problems of presenting non-academic subjects in an academic setting

Keywords: Native and Indigenous Populations, Education

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: None
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.

The 128th Annual Meeting of APHA