Exciting developments at the intersection of medicine and theology

The work of Wycliffe Hall Council Member, Professor Josh Hordern, Wycliffe Junior Research Fellow Ariel Dempsey and bioethicist Dr Alberto Giubilini has led to the development of a new branch within Medical Humanities focused on Spirituality, Religion and Healthcare, as well as new training on spiritual care in the Oxford Medical School curriculum.

Spirituality, Religion and Healthcare: New research hub within Medical Humanities

This research hub is focused on developing compassionate healthcare systems that attend to the whole person—physical, emotional, social, and spiritual. It responds to the reality that clinical practice often involves spiritual and existential concerns that shape patients’ experiences of illness and care.

There is growing empirical evidence that attention to spiritual care contributes to improved quality of life, reduced anxiety and depression, greater satisfaction with treatment decisions, and stronger coping for patients and families. Meanwhile, unrecognised spiritual distress can result in significant suffering. 

An important part of this work is to support medical education, equipping students with the understanding and practical skills needed to:

• recognise spiritual needs in patients
• engage sensitively with diverse beliefs and values
• work appropriately with chaplains and other members of the multidisciplinary team

Through this, students are encouraged to develop forms of clinical practice grounded in presence, attentive listening, and whole-person care. 

Training on spiritual care incorporated into the Oxford medical curriculum

In 2024, members of the Medical Humanities team – including Prof Hordern and Dr Dempsey – conducted a teaching session on 'Diversity in Death and Dying' for medical students at the University of Oxford. The session revealed a need for more training in spiritual care and for greater understanding of the role of chaplaincy in medical care. 

In response to this, Dr Dempsey designed a new teaching session, now included within the palliative care curriculum and delivered in partnership with hospice chaplain Cara Heafey. The session supports medical students to recognise spiritual distress and respond through presence, attentive listening, and appropriate referral. 

For more information, visit the Research Hub page.