Invited Commentary

Commentary on “Religious Characteristics of Physicians Who Care for Underserved Populations or Work in Religiously Oriented Practices”

Authors: George F. Handzo, MA, MDiv

Abstract

In recent years, the common understanding has been that the United States is becoming increasingly less religious. Certainly as far as religious observance and active participation in organized faith communities is concerned, this is demonstrably the case. Paradoxically, however, attention to the role of religion and spirituality in how patients and caregivers cope with illness and make decisions about their care has increased. The rise of palliative care as a healthcare discipline and the importance that many healthcare institutions now place on patient experience and whole-person care have had much to do with this trend.1 This change continues to generate new models for how physicians and other providers interact with the religiosity and spirituality of their patients and families.2

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References

1. National Coalition for Hospice and Palliative Care, National Consensus Project for Quality Palliative Care. Clinical practice guidelines for quality palliative care. 3rd ed. https://www.nationalcoalitionhpc.org/ncp-guidelines-2013. Published 2013. Accessed June 22, 2018.
 
2. Handzo GF, Koenig HG. Spiritual care: whose job is it anyway? South Med J 2004;97:1242-1244.
 
3. Lio J, Jung Tak H, Duan Y, et al. Religious characteristics of physicians who care for underserved populations or work in religiously oriented practices. South Med J 2018;111:511-515.
 
4. Frush BW, Brauer SG, Yoon JD, et al. Physician decision-making in the setting of advanced illness: an examination of patient disposition and physician religiousness. J Pain Symptom Manage 2018;55:906-912.
 
5. Kash KM, Holland JC, Breitbart W, et al. Stress and burnout in oncology. Oncology (Williston Park) 2000;14:1621-1633.