Invited Commentary

Commentary on "Religion, Sense of Calling, and the Practice of Medicine: Findings from a National Survey of Primary Care Physicians and Psychiatrists"

Authors: John R. Peteet, MD

Abstract

How many physicians feel a calling to medicine, and does it matter? In this issue of the Southern Medical Journal, Yoon and colleagues1 augment a small but growing literature on a sense of calling, which suggests both connections with self-efficacy2 and satisfaction in treating certain categories of patients.3 Although previous work has not identified contributing factors, this report correlates a sense of calling with measures of religious belief and practice. Its survey data suggest a number of questions.

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References

1. Yoon JD, Shin JH, Nian AL, et al. Religion, sense of calling and the practice of medicine: findings from a national survey of primary care physicians and psychiatrists. South Med J 2015;108:189-195.
 
2. Westerman M. Reflections on having a ‘‘calling’’ as a medical doctor. Perspect Med Educ 2014;3:73-75.
 
3. Rasinski KA, Lawrence RE, Yoon JD, et al. A sense of calling and primary care physicians’ satisfaction in treating smoking, alcoholism, and obesity. Arch Intern Med 2012;172:1423-1424.
 
4. Ebola patient Dr Martin Salia dies in Omaha. http://www.cbsnews.com/news/ebola-patient-dr-martin-salia-dies-in-omaha. Published November 17, 2014. Accessed February 10, 2015.
 
5. Buechner F. Wishful Thinking: A Seeker’s ABC. New York: Harper; 1993.
 
6. Pargament KI. The sacred character of community life. Am J Community Psychol 2008;41:22-34.