Physician Religious Beliefs and the Physician- Patient Relationship: A Study of Devout Physicians
Document Type
Article
Publication Date
1-1-1995
Description
The purpose of this study was to determine the type and frequency of religious interactions that occur between devout physicians and their patients. Physicians identified by their peers as having religious or spiritual beliefs that were an important part of their lives were surveyed. Forty physicians responded (response rate 77%). In general, these physicians agreed that their religious beliefs have an important influence on their practice of medicine.Thirty-two percent reported having shared their beliefs with patients. Praying aloud with patients occurred with only 13% of patients, but 67% of respondents reported having done this on at least one occasion. Multivariate analysis showed the physician’s religious group to be the most important determinant of sharing beliefs with patients, occurring most commonly with Protestant physicians. In this small sample of devout physicians, physician religious beliefs appear to influence the interactions between physicians and their patients.
Citation Information
Olive, Kenneth E.. 1995. Physician Religious Beliefs and the Physician- Patient Relationship: A Study of Devout Physicians. Southern Medical Journal. Vol.88(12). 1249-1255. https://doi.org/10.1097/00007611-199512000-00012 PMID: 7502119 ISSN: 0038-4348