"I believe the practice of basic spiritual skills is just too important to be left solely to pastoral professionals," says Walt Larimore, MD, in the Am Fam Physician. He cites a survey showing that 99% of family physicians believe that religious belief can heal. Yet, only 10% of physicians address spiritual issues.

1. "The overwhelming majority of medical literature demonstrates a positive association between the depth of religious belief or practice and mental or physical health outcomes." One study concludes that "infrequent religious attendance or 'poverty of personal faith' should be regarded as a risk factor for morbidity and mortality that is nearly equivalent to tobacco or alcohol abuse."

2. "More than 75% of patients believe their physicians should address spiritual issues as a part of their medical care."

3. Research shows that many physicians need and want further training to incorporate spiritual skills into clinical practice.

Spiritual topics should be introduced with "permission, sensitivity and respect," cautions Larimore. "Obtaining a brief spiritual history is not a clinical skill that should be, nor routinely can be, referred to a religious or spiritual subspecialist."

Some academic believe that it is a general mandate of modern developed societies to keep professional roles separate distinct spheres of activity ensure competence and boundaries. Unfortunately, these concerns are usually not accompanied by outcomes-based research.

In fact, much research makes the case that basic patient care is most economically, efficiently and expeditiously provided by the primary care physician interested and trained in handling such care.

Many readers may be surprised to learn that more than 260 research studies and 35 review articles reflect positively on the association of faith with physical and mental health outcomes.
One systematic review7 concluded that the published empirical data suggest that religious commitment plays a significantly beneficial role in

• preventing mental and physical illness
• improving how people cope with mental and physical illness
• facilitating recovery from illness
  

Patients can and should expect their physicians to respect their beliefs and to talk about spiritual concerns in a respectful and caring manner. Professional problems for well-meaning physicians can arise when a personal faith or religious belief is "pushed" on a patient who is opposed to discussing this topic. If patients indicate that they are not interested in questions about their personal religion or faith, the subject should not be pursued.

Thankfully, the tide of ignoring faith as a factor in health is now turning as medical students and practicing physicians are receiving training in basic spiritual understanding and practice skills. Nearly one half (60 of 126) of America's allopathic medical schools1 now provide training in addressing faith and spiritual issues with patients.22,23 A spiritual care curriculum is currently taught in at least 15 psychiatric residency programs in the United States. A similar curriculum for primary care residency programs is nearly complete.

In 1910, in the first editorial published in the British Medical Journal, Sir William Osler wrote about "the faith that heals," stating that "Nothing in life is more wonderful than faith . . . the one great moving force which we can neither weigh in the balance nor test in the crucible -- mysterious, indefinable, known only by its effects, faith pours out an unfailing stream of energy while abating neither jot nor tittle of its potence."

The reemergence of age-old spiritual principles and their appropriate use in clinical medicine is new to many practicing physicians but can and should be taught and practiced by physicians in any practice situation. This would be particularly true in primary care, where the physician-patient relationships tend to be ongoing and familiar.

Kornhaber has wisely proclaimed, "To exclude God from a consultation is a form of malpractice. Spirituality is wonder, joy and shouldn't be left in the clinical closet."

American Family Physician January 26, 2001; Page A15

About the Author

Dr. Larimore was previously the host of The Health Network's live call-in program ``Ask the Family Doctor.'' This Fox-owned network show aired nightly, reaching a potential of twenty-two million American homes. In addition, for several years he has hosted ``On Call with the Family Doctor,'' a live call-in medical program, on AM580 WDBO -- Central Florida's largest radio station. Until this month, Dr. Larimore practiced family and sports medicine in Kissimmee Florida. He's delivered more than 1,500 babies during his 22-year medical career.

Address correspondence to Walter L. Larimore, M.D., Associate Clinical Professor of Family Medicine, University of South Florida, Department of Family Medicine, 1320 Neptune Rd., Kissimmee, FL 34744-5817. Reprints are not available from the author.

Dr. Mercola's Comment:

This is a wonderful article that very elegantly articulates the benefit of physicians assuming a more proactive stance in spiritual issues as they interact with patients.

For more articles on this please go to the prayer index page on this site.

Dr. Larrimore is one of my heroes. He taught a course called Saline Solution through the Christian Medical Association that is designed to provide clinicians with the basic skills in sharing their faith with patients. I had the opportunity to attend one of his three-day trainings in 1996 and it was very informative.

More recently, I have been corresponding with him for a new book that he is writing on Alternative Medicine, which will be published in a few months. Unfortunately, I was not really able to influence the book very much as there was not enough peer-reviewed literature supporting muscle testing. However that will be changing as Dr. Larrimore has encouraged me to conduct some studies and get them published and I am currently in the process of doing that.

Dr. Larrimore last month was selected by Focus on the Family, an international communications ministry whose purpose is to strengthen families worldwide, to join the group as a broadcaster and as ambassador to the public on medical ethics, procedures and practices. He will influence millions of people in this position and I am very happy Focus selected him.

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