[Existential thoughts and religious life of Danish patients].
BACKGROUND
The purpose of this investigation is to determine whether Danish patients have existential and religious thoughts and if these thoughts are intensified by illness and hospital admittance. Furthermore, we wish to investigate if patients have a higher degree of religious practice during illness and hospital admittance.


METHODS
480 patient-handled questionnaires containing questions on patients' thoughts about health, beliefs, and religion. Questions on the patients' experience of changes, activities and needs are analysed separately.


RESULTS
Patients themselves more often think about the meaning and purpose of life, and have increased religious activities. The largest changes are seen in women and in the patients under 36 years.


CONCLUSIONS
Danish patients intensify their thoughts about the purpose of life, beliefs, life and death, and become more religious during illness.
Ausker
Nadja
N
Rigshospitalet, Den Kirkelige Funktion, og Københavns Universitet, Center for Forskning i Eksistens. nadja.ausker@rh.regionh.dk
la Cour
Peter
P
Busch
Christian
C
Nabe-Nielsen
Henning
H
Pedersen
Lotte Mørk
LM
D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D001294:Attitude to Health; D003718:Denmark; D005086:Existentialism; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D019369:Life; D008297:Male; D010343:Patient Admission; D010361:Patients / Q000523:psychology*; D012067:Religion; D012737:Sex Factors; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires