Letter to the Editor

Physician Values and Medical Decisions

Authors: Joseph K. Neumann, PHD, Kenneth E. Olive, MD

Abstract

To the Editor: Neumann and Olive 1 surveyed a national sample of family practitioners and psychiatrists. Family practitioners were generally more supportive of religious activities than psychiatrists. This letter reports further analyses of this survey data set, in order to assess the extent to which specific self-identified religious values affected medical decisions and lifestyle factors, similar to assessments performed in other, previously published work. 2 Family physician versus psychiatrist group differences concerning these variables were minimal, and are not further considered in this letter.

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References

1. Neumann JK, Olive KE. Absolute versus relative values: effects on family practitioners and psychiatrists. South Med J 2003;96:452–457.
 
2. Neumann JK, Leppien FV. Influence of physician’s religious values on inservice training decisions. J Psychol Theol 1999;25:427–436.
 
3. Neumann JK, Olive KE, McVeigh SD. Absolute vs. relative values: effects on medical decisions and personality of patients and physicians. South Med J 1999;92:871–876.