The development of a consensus‐based spiritual care education standard for undergraduate nursing and midwifery students: An educational mixed methods study

Abstract Aims The aim of this study was to develop a consensus‐based Spiritual Care Education Standard for undergraduate N/M students to use in undergraduate programmes. Design Mixed methods were used consisting of qualitative and quantitative methods based on the principles of Delphi research. Methods The sample consisted of a total of 58 ( N = 58) participants from 21 European countries. Data collection was conducted from June 2017 ‐ February 2019 and took place in facilitated iterative action learning cycles and online surveys. Data were analysed by descriptive statistics and qualitative analysis. Consensus was stated by >90% agreement. Results The process resulted in an EPICC Spiritual Care Education Standard consisting of the following four spiritual care competences: Intrapersonal spirituality, Interpersonal spirituality, Spiritual care: assessment and planning, Spiritual care: intervention and evaluation. For every competence, learning outcomes were described in knowledge, skills and attitudes. Conclusion This Standard guides N/M spiritual care education, student assessment and research. It can be the starting point for discussing spiritual care competences in other healthcare professions. Follow‐up research should focus on implementation of the standard and on assessment of students’ spiritual competence. Impact The Standard guides curriculum and programme development. The Standard guides students in performing their learning process. The Standard provides a frame of reference for policy making and follow‐up research.