Starting Reflection

We begin by showing a video entitled: “A Woman Bent Double”. (Available from St. Vincent Seton Cove, 2425 Dugan St., Indianapolis IN 46260.) This reflection sets the tone of the conference by highlighting health issues in the context of a sacred encounter. That tone allows the participant to look for the sacred in the remainder of the program. If you do not have the video, read this passage with an unhurried pace: Luke 13: 10 – 17 “On a Sabbath Jesus was teaching in one of the synagogues, and a woman was there who had been crippled by a spirit for eighteen years. She was bent over and could not straighten up at all. When Jesus saw her, he called her forward and said to her, ‘Woman, you are set free from your infirmity.’ Then, he put his hands on her, and immediately she straightened up and praised God. Indignant because Jesus had healed on the Sabbath, the synagogue ruler said to the people, ‘There are six days for work. So come and be healed on those days, not on the Sabbath.’ The Lord answered him, ‘You hypocrites! Doesn't each of you on the Sabbath untie his ox or donkey from the stall and lead it out to give it water? Then should not this woman, a daughter of Abraham, whom Satan has kept bound for eighteen long years, be set free on the Sabbath day from what bound her?’ When he said this, all his opponents were humiliated, but the people were delighted with all the wonderful things he was doing.” I will include some reflection questions with my next post. Meanwhile, have a blessed Christmas.

Participant comfort

Because physicians do not stream in on time, allow 15 minutes for them to gather, make name tags and find a seat. Good dialogue occurs best in a safe, comfortable setting. Time spent orienting the participants to the facility, the agenda and their conference materials contribute to the general comfort level. The physician champion should orient the participants since he or she will be better known. The physician champion introduces the Chief Facilitator. From that point until the end, the Chief Facilitator serves as master of ceremonies and facilitates sessions of dialogue that involve the entire group.

Schedule of events

Here is an example of a program that we entitled: Spirituality & Disease Management for MD’s (4:30 p.m. – 8:45 p.m.) Rationale: To help physicians serve the spiritual needs of patients, families and staff. 4:30 p.m. – Participants Gather 4:45 p.m. – Physician Champion: Welcome 4:50 p.m. – Chief Facilitator: Opening Reflection – Video: “A Woman Bent Double” 5:00 p.m. – Quality Administrator: Patient Satisfaction 5:10 p.m. – Physician Champion: What is “Spirituality?” 5:25 p.m. - Cabbage patch players: Vignette #1 5:50 p.m. – Cabbage patch players: Vignette #2 6:15 p.m. – Chief Facilitator: Blessing & Dinner 6:45 p.m. – Cabbage patch players: Vignette #3 7:10 p.m. - Cabbage patch players: Vignette #4 7:35 p.m. - Chief Facilitator: “A Dying Man’s Journey” 8:15 p.m. – Physician Champion: What are the barriers to serving spiritual needs? 8:35 p.m. – Physician Champion: Closing Prayer 8:45 p.m. – Complete evaluation forms I'll elaborate on some of these entries in my next post.