Physicians' observations and interpretations of the influence of religion and spirituality on health.
BACKGROUND
In spite of a substantial body of empirical data, professional disagreement persists regarding whether and how religion and spirituality (hereinafter "R/S" and treated as a single concept) influences health. This study examines the association between physicians' religious characteristics and their observations and interpretations of the influence of R/S on health.


METHODS
A cross-sectional survey was mailed to a stratified, random sample of 2000 practicing US physicians from all specialties. Physicians were asked to estimate how often patients mention R/S issues, how much R/S influences health, and in what ways the influence is manifested.


RESULTS
The response rate was 63%. Most physicians (56%) believed that R/S had much or very much influence on health, but few (6%) believed that R/S often changed "hard" medical outcomes. Rather, most physicians believed that R/S (1) often helps patients to cope (76%), (2) gives patients a positive state of mind (75%), and (3) provides emotional and practical support via the religious community (55%). Compared with those with low religiosity, physicians with high religiosity are substantially more likely to (1) report that patients often mention R/S issues (36% vs 11%)(P<.001); (2) believe that R/S strongly influences health (82% vs 16%) (P<.001); and (3) interpret the influence of R/S in positive rather than negative ways.


CONCLUSIONS
Patients are likely to encounter quite different opinions about the relationship between their R/S and their health, depending on the religious characteristics of their physicians.
Curlin
Farr A
FA
Section of General Internal Medicine, Department of Medicine, and MacLean Center for Clinical Medical Ethics, The University of Chicago, 5841 S. Maryland Avenue, Chicago, IL 60637, USA. fcurlin@medicine.bsd.uchicago.edu
Sellergren
Sarah A
SA
Lantos
John D
JD
Chin
Marshall H
MH
D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006262:Health; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010820:Physicians; D012067:Religion; D029181:Spirituality; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014481:United States