5-day Summer Research Course on Religion, Spirituality and Health

General Information

We will be hosting a 5-day summer research course on August 12-16, 2013. This course will focus on how to conduct research on religion, spirituality and health, and how to develop an academic career in this area, and compresses training material that was previously taught during our 1-year Duke post-doctoral fellowship (2002-2010). Leading religion-health researchers from Duke and elsewhere will give presentations. There will also be time to discuss individual research projects with them if desired -- participants will each have 30 minutes one-on-one with Dr. Koenig and 30 minutes with another mentor of their choice (early registration will assure one of these mentorship spots). May include limited mentorship by Dr. Koenig to assist in implementation of research at participant’s home institution. Anticipated faculty for the course are Dan G. Blazer (psychiatry, epidemiology), Verna Benner Carson (nursing, mental health, provider spirituality), John P. Oliver (chaplain research), Harold G. Koenig (psychiatry, medicine, nursing), Allen Verhey (theology), and Redford Williams (behavioral medicine). Topics that will be covered include:

Resources for learning more about spirituality and health
Previous research on religion, spirituality and health
Strengths and weaknesses of previous research
Applying findings to clinical practice
Understanding mechanisms
Spirituality of the health care provider
Theological considerations and concerns
Highest priority studies for future research
Strengths and weaknesses of religion/spirituality measures
Designing different types of research projects
Qualitative research
Carrying out and managing a research project
Statistics and modeling
Writing a grant to NIH or private foundations
Where to obtain funding for research in this area
Writing a research paper for publication; getting it published
Presenting research to professional and public audiences
Working with the media
Developing research and academic careers in this area

The course is open to all interested in learning about or conducting scientific research or academic work in this area, regardless of level of training. This workshop is specifically designed for established researchers, new investigators, and graduate students, including those in medicine, nursing, psychology, sociology, chaplaincy, theology, pastoral counseling, public health, or other related disciplines. Non-researchers including interested laypersons and clergy are also welcome. Basic and advanced materials will be presented, depending on the needs of participants. The course will take place in Durham, North Carolina, at a location about 5 miles from Duke campus. For those with serious financial hardships pursuing careers involving research in this area, partial tuition scholarships are available. For more information about these workshops, contact Dr. Koenig at e-mail: Harold.Koenig@duke.edu.

CME/CEU Information

If desired, psychologists, physicians, nurses, chaplains, social workers,and other health professionals will receive a certificate indicating that this activity is equivalent to 32.5 hours of credit, although the participant will have to obtain approval from their local institution or national certifying body for these credits.

Course Faculty

Dan G. Blazer
Verna Carson
John P. Oliver
Harold G. Koenig
Allen Verhey
Redford Williams

Tentative Schedule and Curriculum (PDF)

Tuition and Registration (PDF)

Directions to Location of Workshop (PDF)

Recommended Accommodations (PDF)

Scholarship Information (PDF)

Facebook Page (for workshop participants only)