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Religion and Spirituality in Medicine

In:

Submitted By VincentCoughlin
Words 5942
Pages 24
Vincent Coughlin
PATHE 200
Final Project
Spring/15
RELIGION AND SPIRITUALITY IN MEDICINE THESIS STATEMENT: Patients with multiple religious beliefs are treated everyday by emergency care workers which creates a void in respect towards the patient and their beliefs if the proper training and knowledge are lacking. INTRODUCTION When the subject of religion and spirituality come up in conversation in the governmental arena most people will argue that they are both on separate planes and should remain that way. But when people were asked if there is a place for religion in the medical field, the majority of those asked will say that they would prefer their physicians inquire about their individual faith and beliefs. In fact, polls indicate that the U.S. Population is highly religious; that most people believe in Heaven and hell. The same people also believe in the healing power of prayer and the capacity of faith to aid in the recovery from disease (N.E.J.O.M. 342). Religion and Spirituality have become an intricate part of patient care in the last 20 plus years. Religion is understood as a set of beliefs, rituals and practices usually embodied within an institution or an organization. Religion is more generalized and all-inclusive. Spirituality is more defined and specific to each individuals Religion. Spirituality is thought of as a search for what is sacred in life, one’s deepest values, along with a relationship with God, or a higher power, that transcends the self (McCormick). Doctors are now including the “spiritual history” in their initial assessment of a patient they are treating. The Joint Commission for the Accreditation of Hospital Organizations, who is the primary accreditor of health care institutions, now expects the spiritual history of a patient to be documented with various approaches for

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