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Annals of Family Medicine 2:356-361 (2004)
© 2004 Annals of Family Medicine, Inc.
doi: 10.1370/afm.71
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Discussing Spirituality With Patients: A Rational and Ethical Approach

Gary McCord, MA, Valerie J. Gilchrist, MD, Steven D. Grossman, MD, Bridget D. King, MD, Kenelm F. McCormick, MD, Allison M. Oprandi, MD, Susan Labuda Schrop, MS, Brian A. Selius, DO, William D. Smucker, MD, David L. Weldy, MD, PhD, Melissa Amorn, BS, Melissa A. Carter, BS, Andrew J. Deak, BS, Hebah Hefzy, BS and Mohit Srivastava, BS

Department of Family Medicine, Northeastern Ohio Universities College of Medicine, Rootstown, Ohio

CORRESPONDING AUTHOR: Gary McCord, MA, Department of Family Medicine, Northeastern Ohio Universities College of, Medicine, 4209 St Rt 44, PO Box 95, Rootstown, OH 44272, gmccord{at}neoucom.edu

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.

Key Words: spirituality • physician practice patterns • physician-patient relations • religion and medicine




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TRACK Comments:

Read all TRACK Comments

Under trained other than by personality
David O Parrish
Annals of Family Medicine, 1 Aug 2004 [Full text]
challenges and trends in spirituality research
John W Ehman
Annals of Family Medicine, 2 Aug 2004 [Full text]
Addressing Spiritual Issues
Christina M Puchalski, MD, et al.
Annals of Family Medicine, 2 Aug 2004 [Full text]
Need of Chaplain and Physician dialogue about spiritualtiy
Larry J. Austin
Annals of Family Medicine, 4 Aug 2004 [Full text]
Response to Readers' Comments
Gary McCord
Annals of Family Medicine, 4 Aug 2004 [Full text]
Compassion and spiritual suffering: Can brief screening questions open the window to our souls?
Gowri Anandarajah, MD
Annals of Family Medicine, 5 Aug 2004 [Full text]
Re: Response to Readers' Comments
Larry J Austin
Annals of Family Medicine, 5 Aug 2004 [Full text]
Spirituality is Essential to Relationship and Patient Centered, Whole Person Medicine
Lucille R Marchand
Annals of Family Medicine, 9 Aug 2004 [Full text]
Actually Quite Amazing
Dana E King
Annals of Family Medicine, 10 Aug 2004 [Full text]
Understanding and nurturing patients' spiritual resources
Frederic C. Craigie, PhD
Annals of Family Medicine, 13 Aug 2004 [Full text]
Context Matters
Timothy P. Daaleman
Annals of Family Medicine, 14 Aug 2004 [Full text]
Response to Reader Comments
Gary McCord
Annals of Family Medicine, 31 Aug 2004 [Full text]
Re: Response to Reader Comments
Larry J. Austin
Annals of Family Medicine, 2 Sep 2004 [Full text]
Spirituality or Religious Beliefs are also needed in treatments
Chau M. Tonnu
Annals of Family Medicine, 13 Sep 2004 [Full text]
Team Work
Rev. Martha Jacobs
Annals of Family Medicine, 26 Sep 2004 [Full text]
Learning to Incorporate Spirituality and Meaning with Patients
Chaplain Bruce D. Feldstein MD, et al.
Annals of Family Medicine, 18 Oct 2004 [Full text]
CHAP: Physician dialogue on spirituality
Larry J Austin
Annals of Family Medicine, 6 Dec 2004 [Full text]

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