The Influence of Spirituality The Influence of Spirituality in the Practice of HIV in the Practice of HIV

MedicineMedicine

The Influence of Spirituality The Influence of Spirituality in the Practice of HIV in the Practice of HIV

MedicineMedicine

Malcolm Lewis Marler, DMin

The International AIDS Society–USAML Marler, DMin.Presented at IAS–USA/RWCA Clinical Conference, June 2005.

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ML Marler, DMin. Presented at IAS–USA/RWCA Clinical Conference, June 2005.

“Evidence increasingly suggests that the attitude of medical caregivers toward their patients’ spirituality has serious ramifications for the level of trust and cooperation between patient and provider--and even for the efficacy of medical care itself.”

HRSA Care ACTION, February 2002.

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ML Marler, DMin. Presented at IAS–USA/RWCA Clinical Conference, June 2005.

Spirituality

1. Three movements--self, others, divine. (Nouwen)

2. The heart connection. (Borg)

3. The sacredness of the moment. (Fox)

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ML Marler, DMin. Presented at IAS–USA/RWCA Clinical Conference, June 2005.

Does God still love me?

Will anybody ever love me again?

Will anybody ever hug me again?

Robin’s Story

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ML Marler, DMin. Presented at IAS–USA/RWCA Clinical Conference, June 2005.

1. Prevention

2. Stigma Reduction

3. Compassionate Action

Michael S. Saag, M.D.

Malcolm L. Marler, D.Min.

Spirituality-Based InitiativeBirmingham, Alabama—1994-2005Birmingham, Alabama—1994-2005

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ML Marler, DMin. Presented at IAS–USA/RWCA Clinical Conference, June 2005.

GRACE ProgramGRACE Program

Giving Receiving AIDS Compassionate EducationA head, heart, and feet experience

1. Head—interactive sharing of factual information about HIV/AIDS (Prevention)

2. Heart—personal stories, faith stories (Stigma Reduction)

3. Feet—challenge to action, Support Teams (Compassionate Action)

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ML Marler, DMin. Presented at IAS–USA/RWCA Clinical Conference, June 2005.

1995-96

• Support Teams for persons with HIV/AIDS expanded throughout Alabama

State

1997-2003

• National Support Team Development Training (2-day train-the-trainer)

• Expanded for persons with heart disease, cancer, stroke, respiratory illness, diabetes, Alzheimer’s, HIV/AIDS, etc.

National

2004

• Over 25 trainings in 20 states, and Southern Africa.

• Thousands of Support Teams started.

• Training—Harare, Zimbabwe

• Visited Zambia, South Africa, and Botswana

International

Vision

• Prevention

• Stigma Reduction

• Compassionate Action

1993

Michael Saag

1994

Local

Malcolm Marler

• GRACE program

• Support Teams for persons with HIV/AIDS began in Birmingham

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ML Marler, DMin. Presented at IAS–USA/RWCA Clinical Conference, June 2005.

“A training and resource center for the development of Support Teams for persons with health concerns or

other special needs.”

The Support Team Network Mission

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ML Marler, DMin. Presented at IAS–USA/RWCA Clinical Conference, June 2005.

• Do what you can

• When you can

• In a coordinated way

• With a built-in support system

The Team ApproachThe Team ApproachFour Simple PrinciplesFour Simple Principles

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ML Marler, DMin. Presented at IAS–USA/RWCA Clinical Conference, June 2005.

STN StrategySTN Strategy

1. Teach persons how to develop Support Teams through annual community Initiatives.

2. Empower persons on the grassroots level to assume the responsibility for the Initiative.

3. Supportthe process; don’t try to control how people use it; develop trusting relationships.

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ML Marler, DMin. Presented at IAS–USA/RWCA Clinical Conference, June 2005.

• Common mission to care for the sick

• Significant influence in communities

• Common response of stigma, silence

Why Focus on Faith Communities?

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ML Marler, DMin. Presented at IAS–USA/RWCA Clinical Conference, June 2005.

“Creating Community--Wherever”

• Community Service groups

• Family, friends, neighbors

• Disease-specific groups

• Medical Centers and Universities

• Any group that utilizes volunteers to reach out to others in a community

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ML Marler, DMin. Presented at IAS–USA/RWCA Clinical Conference, June 2005.

Recognizing the Spiritual

1. Thank you for what you are doing

2. Remembering the why

3. Making the heart connections

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ML Marler, DMin. Presented at IAS–USA/RWCA Clinical Conference, June 2005.

"Do all you can, with what you have, in the time you have, in the place you are.”

Nkosi Johnson, at the 13th International AIDS Conference in Durban, South

Africa, 2000

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ML Marler, DMin. Presented at IAS–USA/RWCA Clinical Conference, June 2005.

Acknowledgements

The Support Team Network Staff

• Joe Elmore, M.Div.

• Kelly Ross-Davis, M.A.

• Christopher Hamlin, D.Min.

• Carol Padgett, Ph.D.

• Malcolm Marler, D.Min.

L to R: Malcolm Marler, Kelly Ross-Davis, Christopher Hamlin, Carol Padgett, Joe Elmore

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ML Marler, DMin. Presented at IAS–USA/RWCA Clinical Conference, June 2005.

Malcolm Lewis Marler, D.Min.Chaplain, The Center for AIDS Research at UAB

The 1917 Clinic at UAB

Toll-free: 866.435.1391E-mail: mmarler@uab.edu

Web : www.SupportTeam.org