Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health

This doctoral project investigated integrating spiritual care with clinical practices in Accra, Ghana, to improve epilepsy care and promote brain health (1), encompassing neurological and mental health aspects. Brain health service users, particularly those with epilepsy, often seek assistance from traditional or faith-based centers before turning to allopathic treatment. The research question guiding this project was: "What are the barriers and opportunities for fostering collaboration between spiritual leaders and clinicians to enhance epilepsy care and promote better brain health in Ghana?" Given the cultural significance of spirituality in Ghana, understanding the potential role of spiritual leaders in epilepsy care is crucial. Through qualitative interviews and surveys conducted with both spiritual leaders and clinicians in Accra, the project examined their perspectives on collaboration to identify key challenges and opportunities. The findings revealed that spiritual leaders were generally receptive to collaboration and express a willingness to undergo training on epilepsy first aid. Additionally, they advocated for the establishment of designated spaces, like chaplaincy services, within government hospitals. However, clinicians exhibited hesitancy towards collaboration and expressed concerns about patient referrals to spiritual leaders. Despite this, both groups recognized the potential benefits of collaboration in enhancing epilepsy care and promoting better brain health. The doctoral project emphasized the critical necessity of advancing research to develop and perfect strategies for including spirituality within epilepsy care frameworks. It introduced the concept of the 360-degree referral pathway for holistic brain health as a model emphasizing feasibility, sustainability, and replicability. This innovative approach advocates for a seamless integration of spiritual and medical care, offering a comprehensive solution that meets the broad spectrum of needs for individuals with epilepsy in Ghana and beyond.

The Thriving from Work Questionnaire has been translated from English to Spanish and validated in populations of workers in Peru and Mexico.

Thriving from Work is defined as the state of positive mental, physical, and social functioning in which workers' experiences of their work and working conditions enable them to thrive in their overall lives, contributing to their ability to achieve their full potential at work, at home, and in the community. The purpose of this study was to develop a psychometrically‐sound questionnaire measuring the positive contribution that work can have on one's well‐being both at, and outside of, their work.

The Thriving from Work Questionnaire Scoring Guide accompanies the Thriving from Work Questionnaire User Manual and was developed to assist both researchers and practitioners in scoring the Thriving from Work Questionnaire using some common approaches. There are a variety of scoring options one may use with the Thriving from Work Questionnaire; the pros and cons of different scoring approaches depend on the goals of the use of the instrument and the context in which the data are collected.

The Thriving from Work Questionnaire has been translated from English to German and validated in populations of workers in Germany.