28th Annual Spirituality & Nursing Conference Theme Survey

Please read through the following theme options and then complete the survey below, indicating your first, second, and third choice.

Loneliness and Isolation in Both Patients & Professionals: Though we live in a world that is built upon constant connectivity through technological advances, individuals report increasing feelings of loneliness and isolation. Experienced across the lifespan, these feelings can manifest as withdrawal, depression, and even lead to suicidality. Feeling of loneliness and isolation are not only observed in patient populations but also among healthcare professionals, potentially related to compassion fatigue and burnout. This conference will focus on assessment and intervention for loneliness and isolation with a focus on spiritual causes, effects, and interventions for these phenomena for both patients and providers. We will also touch upon the theme of resiliency, with an eye towards tools and skills to build it.

Exploring Inter-religious Perspectives & Cultural Competency: In a world of increasing diversity, the richness of unique cultural and religious perspectives can often be viewed as difference that divides. In the context of healthcare the need for increased and ongoing cultural competency is pivotal to our ability to provide holistic care. This conference will focus on increasing attendees’ understanding of unique cultural perspectives, how these interweave with spiritual and religious beliefs, and how to integrate culture awareness and sensitivity into clinical care across the lifespan.

The Relationship Between Social Determinants of Health & Holistic Care: Social Determinants, including race, gender, socioeconomic status, sexuality, and gender identity, among others, are increasingly linked to health outcomes. Exploring ways in which spirituality may serve as both a social determinant and an intervention through which to address these disparities is important to enhancing health outcomes. This conference will focus on exploring social determinants of health, the relationship of spirituality to these factors, and how to integrate assessment for and addressing of these determinants to enhance the holistic care of patients.