The association of physicians' religious characteristics with their attitudes and self-reported behaviors regarding religion and spirituality in the clinical encounter
Abstract
CONTEXT: Controversy exists regarding whether and how physicians should address religion/spirituality (R/S) with patients. OBJECTIVE: This study examines the relationship between physicians' religious characteristics and their attitudes and self-reported behaviors regarding R/S in the clinical encounter. METHODS: A cross-sectional mailed survey of a stratified random sample of 2000 practicing U.S. physicians from all specialties. Main criterion variables were self-reported practices of R/S inquiry, dialogue regarding R/S issues, and prayer with patients. Main predictor variables were intrinsic religiosity, spirituality, and religious affiliation. RESULTS: Response rate was 63%. Almost all physicians (91%) say it is appropriate to discuss R/S issues if the patient brings them up, and 73% say that when R/S issues comes up they often or always encourage patients' own R/S beliefs and practices. Doctors are more divided about when it is appropriate for physicians to inquire regarding R/S (45% believe it is usually or always inappropriate), talk about their own religious beliefs or experiences (14% say never, 43% say only when the patient asks), and pray with patients (17% say never, 53% say only when the patient asks). Physicians who identify themselves as more religious and more spiritual, particularly those who are Protestants, are significantly more likely to endorse and report each of the different ways of addressing R/S in the clinical encounter. CONCLUSIONS: Differences in physicians' religious and spiritual characteristics are associated with differing attitudes and behaviors regarding R/S in the clinical encounter. Discussions of the appropriateness of addressing R/S matters in the clinical encounter will need to grapple with these deeply rooted differences among physicians.
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R/S beliefs influence medical decisions among those with serious medical illness and especially among those with advanced cancer or HIV/AIDS.
“Studies have shown that R/S beliefs influence medical decisions among those with serious medical illness [584, 585] and especially among those with advanced cancer [586] or HIV/AIDs [587].”
From Religion, Spirituality, and Health: The Research and Clinical Implications (2012) · cites this paper as [585]
The religious characteristics and beliefs of physicians, including psychiatrists, are directly related to their attitudes and behaviors regarding R/S in clinical practice.
“The evidence suggests that the religious characteristics and beliefs of physicians (including psychiatrists) are directly related to their attitudes and behaviors regarding R/S in clinical practice.13,17-20”
From How psychiatrists think about religious and spiritual beliefs in clinical practice: findings from a university hospital in São Paulo, Brazil (2019) · cites this paper as [13]
A large majority of physicians consider it important to integrate R/S into their practice, but most face difficulties in addressing such topics due to lack of time and lack of appropriate training.
“The evidence shows that a large majority of physicians consider it important to integrate R/S into their practice, but most of them face difficulties in addressing such topics with their patients, due to a lack of time and a lack of appropriate training.13,14”
From How psychiatrists think about religious and spiritual beliefs in clinical practice: findings from a university hospital in São Paulo, Brazil (2019) · cites this paper as [13]
An American study with general practitioners showed that the more they identified themselves as spiritual and religious, the more likely they were to enquire about their patients' religious/spiritual issues.
“These findings are similar to an American study28 performed with general practitioners, which showed the more they identified themselves as spiritual and religious, the more likely they were to enquire about their patients’ religious/spiritual issues.”
From A preliminary survey on the religious profile of Brazilian psychiatrists and their approach to patients' religiosity in clinical practice (2016) · cites this paper as [28]
Curlin et al. suggested that non-religious doctors might have been more inclined to participate in the research.
“Curlin et al28 suggested that non-religious doctors might have been more inclined to participate in the research.”
From A preliminary survey on the religious profile of Brazilian psychiatrists and their approach to patients' religiosity in clinical practice (2016) · cites this paper as [28]
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References 42 · Cited by 315
- Authors
- Curlin, F. A., Chin, M. H., Sellergren, S. A., Roach, C. J., & Lantos, J. D.
- Affiliations
- University of Chicago (US)
- Robert Wood Johnson Foundation (US)
- Corresponding author
- Curlin, Farr A.
- Chin, Marshall H.
- Venue
- Medical Care
- Published
- 2006-05
- Volume
- 44
- Issue
- 5
- Pages
- 446-453
- ISSN
- 0025-7079 (ISSN-L)
- OpenAlex
- W2052071247
- Cited by
- 315
- References
- 42
- Citations by year
- 2026: 3 · 2025: 9 · 2024: 10 · 2023: 54 · 2022: 9 · 2021: 27 · 2020: 66 · 2019: 13 · 2018: 14 · 2017: 14 · 2016: 17 · 2015: 12 · 2014: 14 · 2013: 13 · 2012: 7
- FWCI
- 6.71
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Locations
- Medical Care (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- DigitalGeorgetown (Georgetown University Library) (submittedVersion)
- Topics
- Social Sciences › Health › Religion, Spirituality, and Psychology
- Social Sciences › Demography › Workplace Spirituality and Leadership
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Psychiatry and Mental health › Empathy and Medical Education
- Keywords
- religious affiliation, physician attitudes, physician behavior, religious dialogue
- MeSH terms
- Attitude of Health Personnel, Catholicism, Cross-Sectional Studies, Female, Humans, Judaism, Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice, Male, Middle Aged, Physician-Patient Relations, Religion and Medicine, United States, Multivariate Analysis, Health Care Surveys, Protestantism
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