Original Article

Religious Characteristics of Physicians Who Care for Underserved Populations or Work in Religiously Oriented Practices

Authors: Jonathan Lio, MD, Hyo Jung Tak, PhD, Yan Duan, MD, Farhan Dadani, MD, Basil Ali,MD, John D. Yoon, MD

Abstract

Objectives: This study examined the relation between physicians’ religious characteristics and working for medically underserved populations or in religiously oriented practices.

Methods: Secondary data analysis of 2009–2010 national survey of 896 primary care physicians (PCPs) and 312 psychiatrists. Predictors included physicians’ religious characteristics.

Results: Adjusted response rates among eligible physicians were 63% (896 of 1427) for PCPs and 64% (312 of 487) for psychiatrists. Overall, 41.3% of US PCPs and 53.2% of US psychiatrists reported working with medically underserved populations. A smaller percentage reported working in religiously oriented practices. Physicians who rated religion as most important in their lives were more likely to report working for medically underserved populations (52.5% most important vs 36.7% not important, P = 0.02) or report working in religiously oriented practices (23.9% most important vs 6.8% not important, P < 0.01).

Conclusions: Religious physicians may be serving in medically underserved areas or religiously oriented practices as a way to integrate their professional and personal identities.

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