Student’s Name
Instructor’s Name
Medicine and Religion
Date
The interrelationship between Medicine and Religion
For centuries, people have linked religion and spirituality to the healing process and medicine. For instance, people believe that it is essential to draw closer to God during the healing process because only he has the power to heal. In American history, the Native Americans and Shamans recognized the power of prayer in medication and healing. Historically, religion was an integral part of healthcare and missionary institutions. Religious organizations started the first healthcare center in the United States to improve the general public’s health status. Also, men and women who initially served in healthcare institutions did so out of calling and compassion to take care of others.
However, this was not the case in the early 19th century because medicine was strictly perceived as a scientific field without any closer association with theological beliefs (Puchalski 1). It was after the advancement of technology that immediately changed the world. During these times, the body was separated from the spirit, and scholars such as Abraham Flexner urged institutions to strictly adhere to science and technology in their teachings (Flexner 5). However, during the mid and late 1900, the issue of religion in medicine emerged once again. Religious organizations credited that spirituality is significant in coping with pain and suffering (Puchalski, 46). Notably, the emergence of Complementary and Alternative medicine bonded the religion-medicine relationship. As such, this essay discusses the interrelationship between spirituality and treatment, including the role of spirituality in healing, mental health, improving quality of life, and spirituality in the medical curriculum.
Since the 1960s, research on the relationship between religion and spirituality has increased. Majorly, the studies demonstrated the association of spiritual and religious practices or beliefs with health outcomes. Besides, there are numerous papers on the role of spirituality in coping and understanding suffering. Spirituality is a central issue for patients dealing with chronic illness and mental conditions (Puchalski 46). Various research was conducted to examine the importance of spirituality and religion in healing acute and stress-related infections, as discussed below.
First and foremost, research shows that spirituality is associated with positive medical results. According to the findings of a study conducted by Lucchetti et al., it was discovered that spirituality is closely related to better quality, less depressive symptoms, and less pain (p 2). The researchers also found that spirituality reduces cognitive impairment among people. As such, they alleged that clinicians should recognize the power of religion and do so by ensuring their patients are encouraged to seek spiritual power. Likewise, Shah et al. discovered a positive relationship between spirituality, religion, and medicine. In their study to examine the impact of religion on Schizophrenia, the researchers found that spirituality improves patients’ quality of life. They urge clinicians to complement pharmacological and non-pharmacological practices with spirituality when providing healthcare to Schizophrenia patients. They also encourage patients to give room to religion and spirituality because it would help them cope with pain and suffering during the healing process. On the other hand, Kasen et al. pointed out in their study that religion has a positive influence on depressive disorder because it enhances resilience in high-risk individuals(3).
Additionally, research contends that spirituality and religion reduce suicidal attempts. Suicidal attempts are common among individuals with mental illness or disturbances. In their study to examine the interrelationship between religions and seek spiritual growth with depression, anxiety, and suicidal attempts, the researchers discovered that people who attend religious services were less likely to attempt suicide than those who did not. Also, they found that seeking spiritual comfort is closely associated with decreased suicidal ideation. As per the findings, religion provides comfort and hope to the victims of various medical illnesses, reducing negative thoughts that disrupt their well-being. As such, they concluded that religion and spirituality is a protective factor of suicidal attempts or ideation.
Ideally, spirituality and religion is a significant aspect of healing to all psychiatric patients. These patients include those suffering from depressive and stress disorders such as PTSD (Post-traumatic symptoms). Spirituality and religion improve the outcomes and provides comfort during the healing process. According to McFadden et al., spirituality also impacts people’s lifestyles. Religious individuals tend to make good choices and are cautious about their health compared to non-religious individuals. The researchers argue that religion has a positive impact on tobacco consumption among individuals (Puchalski 2).
Moreover, spirituality and religion are an essential aspect of healing, illness, and acceptance for patients suffering from terminal and chronic medical conditions. As mentioned earlier, religion is a crucial element of care for patients in palliative care conditions. According to research conducted by Sian et al., people who have HIV/AIDS rely on religion for comfort while coping with their conditions (Sian et al. 4). Besides, patients with increased self-esteem, optimism, less alcohol consumption, and life satisfaction tend to spend their time on religious practices. According to research conducted on parents with children under palliative care settings, researchers discovered that most parents pointed their anger to God, whom they believe has the power to heal (Hexem et al. 14). Some of the parents in his study shared that religion and faith was the only savior that could heal their children seeking psychiatric palliative care. Likewise, another researcher discovered that spiritual activation could suppress chronic diseases and alter pro-inflammatory cytokines (Kurita et al. 15). On the other hand, in their research, Groleau et al. explore the illness narrative of MI (Myocardial Infarction) discovered that the human heart accumulates negative emotions, life’s ordeals, and family trauma (Singh and Ajinkya 399). According to them, spirituality is an essential aspect of humankind because it reduces negativity and trauma, which are unfavorable to the healing process.
Besides, most patients seeking treatment tend to connect spirituality with others. In their study to assess inpatients and spirituality, researchers discovered that patients, particularly those in pain, were more likely to seek religion and engage in spiritual discussions (Williams et al. 12). They also note that patients who had spiritual talks reported higher clinical care and patient satisfaction than others. Also, they portrayed patient satisfaction and were friendly to others compared to others. In other words, the researchers allege that spirituality is an essential aspect of inpatients. It should be addressed and assessed in healthcare institutions, provided the results are positive (Singh and Ajinkya 399).
Additionally, the language of spirituality has become very common in the medical curriculum. Some researchers discovered that physicians often receive religious training from reading sources such as CME literature and books (Singh and Ajinkya 400). However, they confirmed that they did not receive such training formerly from their medical schools. Ford et al. examined competence and communication skills among physicians and discovered that spiritual issues were common in their communication. Their study pointed out that spiritual-related communication was useful in their field than other commonly used communication skills. These findings show that spirituality modifies people’s language when dealing with patients because it positively affects physical and mental health. Most medical institutions are offering spiritual courses to improve student’s competence in the field of medicine.
Furthermore, there is another trend to integrate religion and spirituality in medical education. While this is already common in the psychiatric specialty where post-graduate programs have incorporated spirituality and religion in their curriculum, some nursing schools offer the same. Researches show that the number of spiritual courses has increased in medical schools in the past two decades. In the United States, the trend is common; therefore, it has given rise to a new medicine field (Puchalski 4). Elsewhere, medical educators have developed an interest in religious studies because of the related benefits. The courses address critical elements of professional-patient interaction such as listening to patients, effectively communicating with patients, respecting their spiritual beliefs, and providing comfort.
Historically, religion and spirituality increasingly secured a place in religion in the past decade. In 1998, AAMC (Association of American Medical Colleges) noted that most young healthcare professionals lacked humanity skills to provide care. Therefore, they pushed for an initiative to improve their competency in the field. Medical School Objective Project (MSOP) was created to assist the medical students to respond to the concerns. Most importantly, the AAMC report notes that every physician must portray empathy and compassion when attending to their patients (Puchalski 48). They must serve their patients with integrity, honesty, love, and dignity (Association of American Medical College). In their effort to recognize the importance of patients’ beliefs and dimensions, AAMC has echoed the development of spirituality and religious courses in medicine.
Subsequently, another AAMC consensus conference was held by the officials in 1999 to convene teaching methods and learning objectives for cultural issues, spirituality, and end-of-life care. Their findings were later reported in the MSOP report. The following are among the outcome goals discussed by AAMC officials;
- Every healthcare professional should understand that spiritual and cultural practices are critical elements of a patient’s well-being and health care status. The two aspects serve a crucial role in patient care; thus, they shouldn’t be neglected.
- Secondly, professionals should recognize the role of spiritual awareness in their careers because they serve a crucial role in offering care to patients.
- Thirdly, professional should be aware of end-of-life care issues, and when it applies to patients, their families, and the entire team within the healthcare context.
- Additionally, professionals should understand the need to respond to physical conditions and their patients’ sociocultural, spiritual, and emotional needs (Association of American Medical Colleges Third Report).
Similarly, in 2009, George Washington School for Health and Spirituality urged medical educators to develop standards and competencies of spirituality in health education. In 2011, when the institution released the institution, it was noted that spiritual aspects improve care quality because religion provides useful humanity skills in a hospital context. In the same year (February 2009), a national consensus conference formulated spiritual care guidelines for inter-professional clinical, spiritual care. These guidelines have extensively supported the development of spirituality in educational research, ethical principles, and medical field professionalism. Later, the consensus developed a practical model that implemented inter-professional religious or spiritual care in the medical field.
According to the model, all healthcare professionals should address their patients’ spiritual beliefs by integrating spirituality into their careers. The mentioned is a generalist-specialist model, and mostly chaplains are considered to be experts in spiritual care. As a result, non-chaplain clinicians consider spirituality an aspect of personal care; they run to the chaplain for spiritual distress and care that clinicians cannot address (Puchalski 48).In other words, the practical model treats spiritual pain like any other type of distress associated with human health. The model advocates that spiritual care is vital in patient assessment and treatment process. These findings were reported by a recent survey conducted by ACP on end-of-life health issues. It was noted that physicians should have the capacity to address all suffering dimensions, including religion and spirituality. Therefore, they should develop skills and guidelines on how to interact with their clients spiritually and religiously.
Accordingly, as noted in the reports, spirituality is a crucial aspect of ethical obligation to all medical practitioners. Many people believe that medical professionals are gifted to understand suffering dimensions, including spirituality and psychosocial (Puchalski 47). It is noted that most people seeking clinical care tend to lean on religion; as such, healthcare professionals attending to them should develop an interest to understand their patients properly. Notably, nurses, physicians, and other healthcare personnel must religiously commit their lives to serve their patients with love and care. Some illnesses do not only require medical treatment but caring forms part of the healing process. For instance, a patient with severe injuries tends to experience pain beyond their physical composure. As such, they require spiritual care that comforts them to endure their sufferings at the moment as healing takes place.
In most cases, an injured person tends to question relationships, value, and meaning of life to understand their condition. Because health professionals promised to compassionately provide holistic care to their patients irrespective of their situations, religion or spirituality becomes necessary. Justifiably, attending to patients’ spiritual needs is required because religion is intrinsic to caring and sickness. However, these imperatives are based on ethical precepts than empirical findings.
Spirituality and religion in healthcare also sustain a stronger relationship between healthcare professionals and patients. Tentatively, religious healthcare workers strive to provide patient-centered care because it enhances healing, clinical care and improves patient satisfaction. As such, it is crucial to have a connection with patients experiencing pain and suffering. Spirituality and religion are perceived as a vital tool in professional-patient interaction. With spiritual aspects, professionals can lead their patients towards religion now that it boosts hope and self-esteem. A relationship built on spirituality is believed to be healthier and intimate (Puchalski 48).
Most significantly, spirituality provides a newer paradigm in health research and clinical care. Earlier, it was noted that religion and spirituality offers a sense of meaning to people’s life. However, patients’ lives are mostly swept with pain, agony, and distress, worsening their conditions. As such, well-being and longevity are challenges in the medical field but are critical to the patient’s healing processes. Therefore, spirituality is required to enlighten the patient’s perception of their situations should they feel encouraged irrespective of their health status. Ideally, this might benefit society if medical research and education recognize spirituality’s power in the hospital context.
Conclusion
Spirituality is a crucial element of patient care that provides patient-centered model care. Research contends that spirituality provides positive outcomes in an inpatient’s recovery and healing process. Doubtlessly, spiritual growth helps a hospital context because it gives hope in enduring pain and suffering. Religion serves as a comforter and provides meaning to life even during their worst times. Patients suffering from critical conditions such as HIV, Chronic diseases, and depressive disorders have benefited from healthcare practices incorporated with religion and spiritual aspects. National consensuses have provided a practical model along with standards required in spiritual care. These, among others, have created a stronger foundation for the development of spirituality in the Medical field.
However, it is unclear the exact mechanisms associated with spiritual and religious practices reported to positively impact patients’ well-being, satisfaction, and life quality. While the practical model identified in this essay was developed to enhance healthcare spirituality, no data demonstrate the model’s effectiveness. As such, research should be conducted on the same.
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