[escepticos] In God they trust

[Ramon Diaz-Alersi]

Doctors and faith

(http://www.suntimes.com/lifestyles/religion/334593,CST-NWS-god10.article)

Chicago Sun-Times
April 10, 2007

BY JIM RITTER

A majority of American doctors believe God or another supernatural
being intervenes in patients' health, a study has found.

And nearly two in five doctors believe religion and spirituality
can help prevent bad outcomes such as heart attacks, infections
and even death, according to the University of Chicago nationwide
survey of 2,000 physicians.

"Most physicians apply medical science while maintaining a belief
that God intervenes in patients' health," Dr. Farr Curlin and
colleagues wrote in the Archives of Internal Medicine.

Cures 'that don't make sense'
Religious doctors were more likely than nonreligious doctors
to believe this -- and to report that patients bring up
religious issues.

Dr. Wayne Detmer, an internist at Lawndale Christian Health Center,
said all doctors have seen cures of patients "that don't make sense based on
our current understanding of physiology or medicine."

Detmer recalls one patient, disabled by a neurological condition,
who was able to walk again after praying. A pastor, diagnosed with terminal
lymphoma, is still alive after 13 years. And a suicidal
patient has regained the willingness to live after prayer.

Detmer said he can't prove God made these patients better. But he
notes the Bible says Jesus healed people. "It's not so much of a
stretch to believe He can still do it."

About three out of four doctors believe religion and spirituality
give patients a positive, hopeful state of mind and help them cope
with illness and suffering.

But there are possible drawbacks. About one-third of doctors believe
religion and spirituality can cause patients to refuse, delay or stop
medical therapy or avoid taking responsibility for their health, the
U. of C. study found.

And 45 percent of doctors said religion and spirituality can cause guilt,
anxiety or other negative emotions that lead to increased
patient suffering.

Nevertheless, 85 percent of doctors believe the influence of religion and
spirituality is generally positive.

Giving patients false hope?
The role of religion is one of the most contentious issues in
medicine. Many studies have found there are health benefits to
prayer, church attendance, etc., but critics say those studies
are flawed. Some experts believe religion can do more harm than
good, by for example, giving patients false hopes.

Among the most vocal critics is Richard Sloan of Columbia University Medical
Center, author of Blind Faith: The Unholy Alliance of
Religion and Medicine.

Sloan is troubled by the study's finding that 54 percent of
doctors believe God intervenes in patients' health. "That's a religious
assertion, not a scientific assertion," he said.

Sloan noted the survey had a 63 percent response rate -- "acceptable, but
lower than you'd like."

Consequently, researchers should be cautious about interpreting the results,
Sloan said.


Study numbers

54% of doctors surveyed believe God or another supernatural
being intervenes in patients' health.

76% of doctors surveyed believe God or another supernatural being
helps patients cope with and endure illness and suffering.

74% of doctors surveyed believe God or another supernatural
being gives patients a hopeful state of mind.



JIM RITTER Health Reporter
jritter en suntimes.com

-- 
Ramón Díaz-Alersi