There are many wonderful paths to spirituality. Religion is one path. My path is accepting death, loving life and exploring the spiritual side of others in our journey. Amazing spiritual leaders and institutions, should we choose, are there for all of us. --Jerry 13-May-2001
National Institute for Healthcare Research 03-Jun-2000, http://www.nihr.org

Medicine's 'New Frontier': Links Found Between Health, Spirituality

Investigating a "new frontier" in medicine, a recent study in the journal "Family Medicine" discovered a link between patients' spirituality and better overall health, but not necessarily less pain.

In a random survey of more than 440 patients at a suburban family medicine clinic, researchers found that persons with either a high or moderately high internally motivated relationship with God were much more likely to experience better health.

Each patient filled out a questionnaire developed at Dartmouth to examine a patient's health and level of physical pain. They also responded to a questionnaire to assess "intrinsic" spirituality -- a personal connection with God or a Higher Power that gives life meaning and guides life choices. This contrasts with an "extrinsic" measure such as simply believing in God or having membership in a church or synagogue, which may or may not affect one's internal motivations, the researchers explained.

"Differences in health were greatest between patients having a low level of spirituality and those with either moderate or high levels," noted the Georgia State University research team. This confirmed other research that found spiritual commitment may enhance prevention, coping and recovery from illness and surgery.

An unexpected finding centered on physical pain. Moderately spiritual patients experienced the least pain, highly spiritual persons more pain, and the low-spirituality group the most pain, the researchers found.

"Spirituality may exert some influence over health, but health is also likely to influence patients' spiritual experiences, making relationships more difficult to untangle," they noted. For instance, at times more pain may increase spiritual practices. A study of pregnant women found those with poorer health prayed more often possibly as a means of coping with their heightened health concerns.(1)

"This preliminary study is important because it reveals the existence of significant differences in patients' health and pain for those with high, moderate, and low levels of internalized spirituality," the researchers commented.

"In light of the desire that patients have for physicians to inquire about spirituality, and the present research results, family physicians may want to be aware of and listen for patients' intrinsic spiritual experiences," the researchers suggested.

While taking a social history, physicians may also want to take a spiritual history, asking questions like, "What aspects of religion/spirituality would you like me to keep in mind as I care for you?" or "How has your religious or spiritual history been helpful in coping with your illness?" the researchers suggested.

In an amazing upswing in the past four years, medical students at more than 60 U.S. medical schools are now taught to ask questions like these. "Learning how to address patients' spirituality helps medical students become more sensitive in caring for patients and also helps them support patients in their chosen coping styles," commented Dr. David B. Larson, president of the National Institute for Healthcare Research (NIHR). "When illness strikes, spirituality can become especially relevant for coping, meaning, and hope," he said.

The researchers concluded: "Family physicians may find that considering the spirituality of their patients informs, enhances, and adds a new dimension to clinical practice." -- Reference:

McBride, J.L., Arthur, G., Brooks, R., and Pilkington, L. "The Relationship Between a Patient's Spirituality and Health Experiences," Family Medicine, 1998; 30(2):122-126.

Note: (1) -- Levin, J. S., Lyons, J.S., Larson, D.B. "Prayer and Health During Pregnancy: Findings from the Galveston Low Birthweight Survey," Southern Medical Journal, 1993; 86(9):1022-1027.
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NIHR is a nonprofit organization committed to conducting and mobilizing research on the relationship between spirituality and physical, mental and social health. For more information, visit its Web page at http://www.nihr.org.