Researchers at the University of Chicago report, “patients are likely to encounter quite different opinions about the relationship between their religion and spirituality (R/S) and their health, depending on the religious characteristics of their physicians.”
This conclusion is based on survey responses from 2000 practicing US physicians from all specialties.
Among the 63% who returned the survey, most physicians (56%) believed that R/S have “much” or “very much” influence on health, but few (6%) believed it often changed “hard” medical outcomes.
- It often helps patients to cope (76%)
- Gives patients a positive state of mind (75%)
- Provides emotional and practical support (55%)
The role of R/S in the patient/physician encounter appears to depend on the belief (openness?) of the physician. When high R/S and low R/S doctors were compared, the following significant differences appeared.
- Patients often mention R/S issues (36% vs 11%, respectively)
- Believe that R/S strongly influences health (82% vs 16%)
- More likely to interpret the influence of R/S in positive rather than negative ways.
These findings support recommendations that physicians recognize how their own beliefs influence how they provide care.
4/22/07 13:53 JR