title: Appropriate spiritual care by physicians: a theological perspective.
abstract: It is argued that when spiritual care by physicians is linked to the empirical research indicating the salutary effect on health of religious beliefs and practices an unintended degradation of religion is involved. It is contended that it is much more desirable to see support for the patient's spirituality as part of holistic care. A proposal for appropriate spiritual care by physicians is offered.
authors.affiliation: The School of History, Philosophy, Religion, and Classics, The University of Queensland, Forgan Smith Building, St. Lucia, Brisbane, QLD 4072, Australia. n.pembroke@uq.edu.au
authors.forename: Neil Francis
authors.initials: NF
authors.lastname: Pembroke
mesh_terms: D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D001294:Attitude to Health; D029221:Faith Healing; D006694:Holistic Health; D006801:Humans; D010817:Physician-Patient Relations; D010821:Physicians, Family; D012068:Religion and Medicine; D029181:Spirituality