Patients value the intersection between medical care and spirituality, said Matthew Crawford, an instructor at the Pre-Health Professions Institute at Texas Christian University.
“What’s most important to patients is oftentimes these matters of spirituality, religion and faith that allow patients to think about the ultimate purpose and meaning in their life,” Crawford said.
Fort Worth-area clinicians will explore the topic during the Tarrant County Medical Society’s annual Healthcare in a Civil Society event. The symposium — “Caring for the Whole Patient: The Interplay of Spirituality and the Delivery of Care” — is scheduled from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Feb. 21 at the TCU Burnett School of Medicine.
The half-day event consists of a panel, a keynote speaker and an ethical application discussion.
Over the last 12 years, the Healthcare in a Civil Society panel has discussed some of the most pressing ethical tangles facing doctors.
Dr. Stephen Brotherton, an orthopedic surgeon in Fort Worth and former president of the Texas Medical Society, said the goal is to bring practical solutions to the challenges facing physicians on a day-to-day basis.
“We try to navigate some of the difficulties and ethical problems that present to doctors,” Brotherton said.
Clinicians often navigate barriers in care when it conflicts with a patient’s faith. For example, Jehovah’s Witnesses don’t accept blood transfusions, Brotherton said.
“What should you do with a patient who has a belief that’s foreign to you that’s going to affect their care? Maybe create a danger?” Brotherton said.
Dr. Jeff Bishop — who earned his medical degree from the University of Texas and is a professor of philosophy, theology and health care ethics at Saint Louis University — will deliver the keynote.
He will participate on the panel alongside Devan Stahl, associate professor of bioethics and religion at Baylor University; Dr. Kimbell Kornu, professor of bioethics, theology and Christian formation at Belmont University; Stephen Couch, clinical ethicist at Dallas Children’s Health; and Angela MacDonald, executive director of spiritual care and ethics at JPS Health Network.
For the first time, Healthcare in a Civil Society is partnering with another conference.
Medicine & Meaning: A Symposium on Religion and Health runs Feb. 19 and 20 at TCU’s main campus and will go into a deeper dive into how to cross the communication barrier with patients in regard to faith, Crawford said.
“A lot of us are guided by our faith traditions, either overtly or in the background, and this conference helps train and remind providers of their training on how to partner with and collaborate, as opposed to finding themselves at odds with their patients,” Crawford said.
Both events are accessible to the public and health care industry professionals.
Caring for the Whole Patient: The Interplay of Spirituality and the Delivery of Care
The event is at the TCU Burnett School of Medicine at 1100 W. Rosedale St.
Find more information here.
Medicine & Meaning: A Symposium on Religion and Health
The symposium is at TCU’s W. Oliver and Nell A. Harrison Building at 2925 Princeton St.
Find more information here.
Ismael M. Belkoura is the health reporter for the Fort Worth Report. His position is supported by a grant from Texas Health Resources. Contact him at ismael.belkoura@fortworthreport.org.
At the Fort Worth Report, news decisions are made independently of our board members and financial supporters. Read more about our editorial independence policy here.
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