Title: NED Meeting: It’s a Matter of Faith: The Connection between Spirituality and Health.

Educational Meeting will start at 7:00 P.M. 

Speakers: Dr. Kay Malek, PT, PhD, Associate Professor and Chair DPT Program, DeSales University

About the Speaker: Kay Malek, PT, PhD is the Program Director and Associate Professor for the Doctor of Physical Therapy program at DeSales University, teaching in the areas of neurologic physical therapy, chronic disease management, patient education, and professional development.  As a healthcare provider for 30 years, Kay began her clinical practice as a physical therapist assistant treating patients following stroke, traumatic brain injury, and spinal cord injury in the inpatient rehabilitation and home care settings in central Texas.  After acquiring her master’s degree in physical therapy, she continued to practice in acute care and outpatient rehabilitation with diabetic, amputee, vestibular, pediatric, and neurologic patient populations.  Dr. Malek is a member of the American Physical Therapy Association, multiple APTA Academies, and the American Diabetes Association. 

Course Description: Over the past twenty years, acknowledgement of the bio-psycho-social-spiritual model of healthcare has produced numerous studies that conclude with consensus among researchers, public health professionals, clinicians, and patients that spirituality and religion play important roles in the social determinants of health, patient health behaviors and outcomes, and resilience in the face of catastrophic injury, chronic disease, or terminal illness.  And while students and practicing clinicians may verbally acknowledge these ideas, most voice confusion and concern as to how to engage patients in conversation about these subjects for fear of overstepping cultural or ethical boundaries within their clinical practice.  During this session we will operationally define the domains of spirituality and religion as they relate to healthcare behaviors and outcomes and explore effective strategies to address the barriers that impede the building of therapeutic alliances that embrace spirituality and religion as important components of whole person-centered care.  

Location: Hybrid | Zoom | DeSales University Gambet Center for Business and Healthcare Auditorium Room 153 - 2755 Station Avenue, Center Valley, PA 18034

Pending Approval for CEU

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