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Cited by 289Religion, Spirituality, and PsychologyPatient-Provider Communication in HealthcarePalliative Care and End-of-Life Issues

Discussing Spirituality With Patients: A Rational and Ethical Approach

Open access
McCord, G.·2004·The Annals of Family Medicine
DOI 10.1370/afm.71PMC PMC1466687
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Abstract

BACKGROUND: This study was undertaken to determine when patients feel that physician inquiry about spirituality or religious beliefs is appropriate, reasons why they want their physicians to know about their spiritual beliefs, and what they want physicians to do with this information. METHODS: Trained research assistants administered a questionnaire to a convenience sample of consenting patients and accompanying adults in the waiting rooms of 4 family practice residency training sites and 1 private group practice in northeastern Ohio. Demographic information, the SF-12 Health Survey, and participant ratings of appropriate situations, reasons, and expectations for physician discussions of spirituality or religious beliefs were obtained. RESULTS: Of 1,413 adults who were asked to respond, 921 completed questionnaires, and 492 refused (response rate = 65%). Eighty-three percent of respondents wanted physicians to ask about spiritual beliefs in at least some circumstances. The most acceptable scenarios for spiritual discussion were life-threatening illnesses (77%), serious medical conditions (74%) and loss of loved ones (70%). Among those who wanted to discuss spirituality, the most important reason for discussion was desire for physician-patient understanding (87%). Patients believed that information concerning their spiritual beliefs would affect physicians' ability to encourage realistic hope (67%), give medical advice (66%), and change medical treatment (62%). CONCLUSIONS: This study helps clarify the nature of patient preferences for spiritual discussion with physicians.

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  • Social factors are known to influence both mental health and physical health and predict greater longevity.

    “Social factors, in turn, are known to influence both mental health and physical health and predict greater longevity [574–576].”

    From Religion, Spirituality, and Health: The Research and Clinical Implications (2012) · cites this paper as [576]

    The Methods and Results sections measure physical and mental health, but the reported findings concern patients’ desire to discuss spirituality with physicians. Searches for social factors, social support, and longevity found no passage saying that social factors influence both kinds of health or predict longer life; page numbers were not available in our copy. (LLM, conf=0.73)

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Authors
McCord, G.
Affiliations
Northeast Ohio Medical University (US)
Corresponding author
McCord, G.
Venue
The Annals of Family Medicine
Publisher
Annals of Family Medicine
Published
2004-07-01
Volume
2
Issue
4
Pages
356-361
ISSN
  • 1544-1709 (ISSN-L)
  • 1544-1717
DOI
10.1370/afm.71
PMC
PMC1466687
OpenAlex
W2170170132
Cited by
289
References
36
Citations by year
2026: 3 · 2025: 9 · 2024: 3 · 2023: 8 · 2022: 9 · 2021: 20 · 2020: 14 · 2019: 17 · 2018: 15 · 2017: 10 · 2016: 17 · 2015: 16 · 2014: 15 · 2013: 17 · 2012: 25
FWCI
13.84
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Locations
  • The Annals of Family Medicine (publishedVersion)
  • Europe PMC (PubMed Central) (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed Central (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
  • DigitalGeorgetown (Georgetown University Library) (submittedVersion)
Funders
  • American Academy of Family Physicians Foundation
  • Ohio Academy of Family Physicians Foundation
Topics
  • Social Sciences › Health › Religion, Spirituality, and Psychology
  • Health Sciences › Health Professions › General Health Professions › Patient-Provider Communication in Healthcare
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health › Palliative Care and End-of-Life Issues
Keywords
spirituality, religious beliefs, physician-patient communication, patient preferences, general practice, life-threatening illness, loss of a loved one, realistic hope, medical ethics
MeSH terms
Adolescent, Adult, Aged, Female, Humans, Male, Middle Aged, Patients, Physician-Patient Relations, Physician's Role, Self Disclosure, Spirituality, Disclosure

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