PURPOSE: To evaluate the effects on caregiving self-efficacy of an eight week training for health professionals in spiritually-based self-management tools. DESIGN AND METHODS: The training program, based on a comprehensive, eight-point, nonsectarian program of practices developed by Easwaran (1991), was taught to a class of physicians, nurses, and other health professionals recruited through a Veterans Administration facility in Denver, CO. Before and after the training, participating students (N=14) filled out a 32-item caregiving self-efficacy questionnaire. Data was also gathered regarding sociodemographic characteristics, spiritual and religious self-perceptions and practices, and the degree of use by students of the program's eight tools (practices). RESULTS: Over the course of the training, mean caregiver self-efficacy increases were large and statistically significant (Cohen's d>0.80, p<0.01). Three participants reported increases in self-perceived spirituality. Self-efficacy increases were largest for those identifying themselves as least spiritual at pretest (p<0.05), and for those who reported increases in spirituality (p<0.05). Self-efficacy changes were also associated with greater use of specific program practices, but otherwise were not associated with religious, spiritual or sociodemographic variables. IMPLICATIONS: This program merits further study as a tool for enhancing efficacy of healthcare professionals and other caregivers.
Learning Objectives:
Keywords: Religion, Intervention
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.