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Integrating Spirituality Into Outpatient Practice in the Adventist Health System.

Publication ,  Journal Article
Koenig, HG; Perno, K; Hamilton, T
Published in: South Med J
January 2017

OBJECTIVES: We examined Adventist Health System (AHS)-affiliated providers and staff regarding controversial spiritual practices such as praying led by a practitioner, sharing of personal religious beliefs, and encouraging patients' religious beliefs for health reasons. METHODS: Approached were 1082 providers to participate in a project to integrate spirituality into outpatient care. Those who agreed were asked to identify staff in their practice to assist. Providers and staff were asked to complete a baseline questionnaire examining attitudes/practices concerning spiritual activities with patients. Regression models were used to identify predictors. RESULTS: Questionnaires were completed by 520 providers (83% physicians and 17% mid-level practitioners) and 217 nurses and other staff members. A significant proportion of providers and staff (29.6% vs 49.1%) indicated "often/very often" to a statement that healthcare professionals should pray with patients, should initiate an offer to pray (25.7% vs 49.1%), should pray if the patient initiates the request (72.2% vs 79.5%), and should encourage greater religious activity for health reasons (48.9 vs 48.1%). With regard to behaviors, 15.3% of providers and 8.8% of nurses and other staff members currently often or always prayed with patients, 24.2% and 25.1% shared their personal faith, and 28.2% compared with 22.0% encouraged patients to become more active in their religious faith; however, 93.3% had little or no training on how to do so. The strongest and most consistent predictor of religious activity with patients was self-rated religiosity of the health professional. CONCLUSIONS: A significant proportion of Adventist Health System providers and staff favor engaging in spiritual practices with patients. Training is needed to engage appropriately and sensitively in these activities.

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Published In

South Med J

DOI

EISSN

1541-8243

Publication Date

January 2017

Volume

110

Issue

1

Start / End Page

1 / 7

Location

United States

Related Subject Headings

  • Surveys and Questionnaires
  • Spirituality
  • Religion and Medicine
  • Religion
  • Physician-Patient Relations
  • Male
  • Humans
  • General & Internal Medicine
  • Female
  • Attitude of Health Personnel
 

Citation

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Koenig, H. G., Perno, K., & Hamilton, T. (2017). Integrating Spirituality Into Outpatient Practice in the Adventist Health System. South Med J, 110(1), 1–7. https://doi.org/10.14423/SMJ.0000000000000589
Koenig, Harold G., Kathleen Perno, and Ted Hamilton. “Integrating Spirituality Into Outpatient Practice in the Adventist Health System.South Med J 110, no. 1 (January 2017): 1–7. https://doi.org/10.14423/SMJ.0000000000000589.
Koenig HG, Perno K, Hamilton T. Integrating Spirituality Into Outpatient Practice in the Adventist Health System. South Med J. 2017 Jan;110(1):1–7.
Koenig, Harold G., et al. “Integrating Spirituality Into Outpatient Practice in the Adventist Health System.South Med J, vol. 110, no. 1, Jan. 2017, pp. 1–7. Pubmed, doi:10.14423/SMJ.0000000000000589.
Koenig HG, Perno K, Hamilton T. Integrating Spirituality Into Outpatient Practice in the Adventist Health System. South Med J. 2017 Jan;110(1):1–7.

Published In

South Med J

DOI

EISSN

1541-8243

Publication Date

January 2017

Volume

110

Issue

1

Start / End Page

1 / 7

Location

United States

Related Subject Headings

  • Surveys and Questionnaires
  • Spirituality
  • Religion and Medicine
  • Religion
  • Physician-Patient Relations
  • Male
  • Humans
  • General & Internal Medicine
  • Female
  • Attitude of Health Personnel