| Religious
beliefs are common |
One
survey of 150 outpatients demonstrated that over 90 percent
believed in God, 85 percent used prayer, and 74 percent felt
close to God. A survey of inpatients at two hospitals revealed
that 98 percent believed in God and that 93 percent were very
strong or somewhat strong in their beliefs. Seventy-three percent
prayed daily or more often
|
| Impact
on health-related decisions and behaviors |
Sixty-one
percent of Americans state that their religion is the most important
influence in their daily lives (Gallup, 1990). Patients undergoing
inpatient or outpatient medical treatment express strong religious
and spiritual orientations (Maugans, 1991, King, 1994). |
| Spirituality
is important to patients |
Ninety-four
percent of people admitted to the hospital agree that spiritual
health is as important as physical health. Spiritual concerns
are almost universal among hospitalized patients. |
| Recognized
standard of care |
The
Joint Council for Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations (JCAHO)
has recognized the influence of spirituality on hospitalized
patients by requiring a hospital chaplain or access to pastoral
services in the standards for accreditation of all hospitals
(JCAHO, 1999). According to the JCAHO, a spiritual assessment
should be performed on every patient, identifying, "at a
minimum," the patient's denomination, beliefs, and spiritual
practices. |
| Better
care for patients |
Clinicians
should be aware of the more common health beliefs of religious
groups in their practice, so that they will be able to better
counsel and care for their patients. Health beliefs vary according
to culture, education, and experience. Religious beliefs can
be very strong and can be the deciding factor in medical decisions
like abortion or withdrawal of life support.
While
individuals' beliefs do not always coincide with the principles
of a specific religious code, health professionals should be
aware of the major moral and religious norms that guide the
medical decision-making of many patients. Physicians should
be especially mindful of potentially strong religion-based
health beliefs when discussing life and death issues, contraception,
abortion, and euthanasia.
|
