In 2010, approximately 43.1% of Americans reportedly attended religious services at least once a week (Newport, 2010). Washington State is one of ten states claiming the least importance of religion, at 52% (Newport, 2009). In an aggregate of 2013 polls, 56% claim that religion is important in their own lives and 22% claim it is fairly important (Gallup, 2013). Surveys of the US public in the 2008 Gallup Report consistently show a high prevalence of belief in God, 78% and an additional 15% who believe in a higher power (Newport, 2009). Religious belief and practice is pervasive in this country, although less pervasive within the medical profession. How pervasive is religiosity in the United States? Thus, physicians need to inquire about the patient’s spirituality and to learn how religious and spiritual factors may help the patient cope with the current illness, and conversely, when religious struggle indicates the need for referral to the chaplain. Recent research also shows that patients involved in “religious struggle” have a higher risk of mortality (Pargament et al., 2001). Research shows that religion and spirituality are associated positively with better health and psychological wellbeing (Puchalski, 2001 Koenig, 2004 Pargament et al., 2004). This article inquires into the possibility that within the boundaries of medical ethics and empowered with sensitive listening skills, physicians-in-training and physicians-in-practice may find ways to engage the spiritual beliefs of patients in the healing process, and come to a clearer understanding of ways in which their own belief systems can be accounted for in transactions with patients. Research indicates that the religious beliefs and spiritual practices of patients are powerful factors for many in coping with serious illnesses and in making ethical choices about their treatment options and in decisions about end-of-life care (Puchalski, 2001 McCormick et al., 2012). As with many issues, however, the simple solution may not be the best. No physician could be expected to understand the beliefs and practices of so many differing faith communities.Īt first glance, the simplest solution suggests that physicians avoid religious or spiritual content in the doctor-patient interaction. Complicating it further, in our nation’s culture of religious pluralism, there is a wide range of belief systems ranging from atheism, agnosticism, to a myriad assortment of religions and spiritual practices.
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In addition, professional ethics requires physicians to not impinge their beliefs on patients who are particularly vulnerable when seeking health care.
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Physicians in previous times were trained to diagnose and treat disease and had little or no training in how to relate to the spiritual side of the patient. Religious and spiritual beliefs and practices are important in the lives of many patients, yet medical students, residents and physicians are often uncertain about whether, when, or how, to address spiritual or religious issues. How can we approach spirituality in medicine with physicians-in-training?.What obstacles are there in discussing spirituality with patients?.What role should my personal beliefs play in the physician-patient relationship?.How should I work with hospital chaplains?.How can respect for persons involve a spiritual perspective?.How should I take a "spiritual history"?.Why is it important to attend to spirituality in medicine?.How pervasive is religiosity in the United States?.McCormick, DMin, Senior Lecturer Emeritus (deceased), UW Dept. of Bioethics & Humanities is in the process of updating all Ethics in Medicine articles for attentiveness to the issues of equity, diversity, and inclusion.