Spirituality/Medicine Interface Project

Clergy as Health Care Providers

Authors: Rev., Andrew J. Weaver, PhD

Abstract

Religious community is important to the lives of a substantial portion of the population in the United States. Across the country, there are nearly 500,000 churches, temples, and mosques.1 Approximately 4 in 10 Americans attend one of these places of worship at least once a week, 6 in 10 attend at least once a month, and 9 in 10 American adults say that they pray to God at least occasionally.2 These rates of religious involvement have remained fairly constant in the U.S. over the past 70 years.2

This content is limited to qualifying members.

Existing members, please login first

If you have an existing account please login now to access this article or view purchase options.

Purchase only this article ($25)

Create a free account, then purchase this article to download or access it online for 24 hours.

Purchase an SMJ online subscription ($75)

Create a free account, then purchase a subscription to get complete access to all articles for a full year.

Purchase a membership plan (fees vary)

Premium members can access all articles plus recieve many more benefits. View all membership plans and benefit packages.

References

1.Bradley MB, Green NM, Jones DE, et al. Churches and Church Membership in the United States, 1990. Atlanta, Glenmary Research Center, 1990.
 
2.Gallup GG, Lindsay DM. Surveying the Religious Landscape: Trends in U.S. Beliefs. Harrisburg, Morehouse Publishing, 1999.
 
3.Mueller P, Plevak D, Rummans T. Religious involvement, spirituality, and medicine: Subject review and implications for clinical practice. Mayo Clin Proc 2001;76:1766–1771.
 
4.Koenig HG. Religious attitudes and practices of hospitalized medically ill older adults. Int J Geriatr Psychiatry 1998;3:213–224.
 
5.Koenig HG, Cohen HJ, Blazer DG, et al. Religious coping and depression among elderly, hospitalized medically ill men. Am J Psychiatry 1992;149:1693–1700.
 
6.Koenig HG. An 83-year-old woman with chronic illness and strong religious beliefs. JAMA 2002;288; 487–93.
 
7.Koenig HG, George LK, Peterson BL. Religiosity and remission of depression in medically ill older patients. Am J Psychiatry 1998;55:536–542.
 
8.Weaver AJ, Revilla LA, Koenig HG. Counseling Families Across the Stages of Life: A Handbook for Pastors and Other Helping Professionals. Nashville, Abingdon Press, 2001.
 
9.United States Department of Labor. Occupational Outlook Handbook. Washington, DC, Bureau of Labor Statistics, 1998.
 
10.Satcher D. Mental health: A report of the Surgeon General - executive summary. Professional Psychology: Research and Practice 2000;31:15–3.
 
11.VandeCreek L, Burton L. Professional chaplaincy: Its role and importance in healthcare. Journal of Pastoral Care 2001;55:81–97.