Sociologist Wendy Cadge believes physicians need to do a better job of handling faith issues that arise in patient care.
Many doctors see religion and spirituality as a barrier to medical care or, at most, a useful crutch when medicine has no more answers. But healing involves more than just medical diagnosis and treatment. Often patients and families see spirituality as a source of support when they are ill, or appear to be dying.
A holistic approach to medicine requires physicians to understand the complex role of spirituality and religion in compassionate patient care. The best prescription: Integrate these topics throughout medical education.
She urges physicians to educate themselves and pay closer attention to patients’ religious and spiritual traditions; she also wants chaplains and nurses more involved in educational programs highlighting spirituality. Nurses especially have more contact with patients than physicians and are more open to talk with them about their spiritual concerns.
It’s not surprising there’s a disconnect between physicians and faith. In terms of James Sire’s worldview categories, western medicine falls under naturalism — all that matters is matter itself. But spirituality, by its very nature, belongs to a theistic or existentialist worldview. So the starting point is different from medicine. Different assumptions.
I’ve visited in hospitals for 15 years, and whenever the doctor has walked into the room, everything I do stops. I become wallpaper. I don’t mind so much because I’m on their turf. But I recall one time — one time — when the doctor came in, realized a patient was talking with a pastor, and said, “I’ll come back a little later.” It was surprising. I was grateful.
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