%0 Journal Article
%T PhysiciansĄŻ Religious Characteristics and Their Perceptions of the Psychological Impact of Patient Prayer and Beliefs at the End of Life: A National Survey
%A Hyo Jung Tak
%A John D. Yoon
%A Kathryn Thompson
%A Magdy El-Din
%A Simon G. Brauer
%A Syed Madani
%J American Journal of Hospice and Palliative MedicineŁż
%@ 1938-2715
%D 2019
%R 10.1177/1049909118792871
%X Physicians who are more religious or spiritual may report more positive perceptions regarding the link between religious beliefs/practices and patientsĄŻ psychological well-being. We conducted a secondary data analysis of a 2010 national survey of US physicians from various specialties (n = 1156). Respondents answered whether the following patient behaviors had a positive or negative effect on the psychological well-being of patients at the end of life: (1) praying frequently, (2) believing in divine judgment, and (3) expecting a miraculous healing. We also asked respondents how comfortable they are talking with patients about death. Eighty-five percent of physicians believed that patientsĄŻ prayer has a positive psychological impact, 51% thought that patientsĄŻ belief in divine judgment has a positive psychological impact, and only 17% of physicians thought the same with patientsĄŻ expectation of a miraculous healing. Opinions varied based on physiciansĄŻ religious and spiritual characteristics. Furthermore, 52% of US physicians appear to feel very comfortable discussing death with patients, although end-of-life specialists, Hindu physicians, and spiritual physicians were more likely to report feeling very comfortable discussing death (adjusted odds ratio range: 1.82-3.00). US physicians hold divided perceptions of the psychological impact of patientsĄŻ religious beliefs/practices at the end of life, although they more are likely to believe that frequent prayer has a positive psychological impact for patients. Formal training in spiritual care may significantly improve the number of religion/spirituality conversations with patients at the end of life and help doctors understand and engage patientsĄŻ religious practices and beliefs
%K religion
%K spirituality
%K psychological well-being
%K national survey
%K end of life
%U https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/full/10.1177/1049909118792871