Christian formatiom for Holistic Care - Essay Example

Power of religion/spirituality Power of religion/spirituality Spirituality has been an interesting topic in the field of medicine. Various analysts and researchers have contrasting views regarding the issue of spirituality/ prayer in the improvement in health of the patients in question. This essay shall review the thoughts of Lawrence et al (2007) regarding the issue of religion in the health of a being alongside Curtin et al (2007). As seen in the article by Lawrence et al (2007), prayers/ religion play a huge role in the outcome of patients’ treatment in the US.

Though the authors admit to the fact that religion and Psychiatry have a mysterious relationship, medical studies have linked an improvement in the health of a being, reduced apprehension, and long life to religion and spirituality (Lawrence, et al, 2007). The authors also indicate that it is not clear what psychiatrists should do in the event that they encounter a spiritual patient, though the medics admit to the huge role played by spirituality in the medical field (Lawrence et al, 2007). From the raw data collected and analyzed by Lawrence et al (2007), psychiatrists have been indicated to address the concept of religion whilst in the clinical setting.

In fact, at times they are forced to inquire about the patient’s spirituality, especially in times when these patients suffer from depression (Lawrence et al, 2007). This is to mean that spirituality has been regarded as a key player in the entire medical care and practice. The influence of religion has been said to give the patients optimism, a calm condition of the mind, and generally, a positive health status (Lawrence et al, 2007). Just like Curlin et al (2007) indicate, the role of religion in medicine has slowly gained root in the entire profession.

Lawrence et al (2007) also attest to the fact that psychiatrists are more than ever open to discussions on spirituality issues with their patients. This is an interpretation of the fact that they have a positive attitude towards prayer; despite of the fact religion may also have negative effects on the patients (Lawrence et al, 2007). This study can be said to contrast the usual perception that medics ignore the issue of religion/spirituality of their patients. Essentially, Lawrence et al (2007) give a good example of how medics work in close relation with the members of the clergy in relation to health provision.

However, it is important to note that, as Lawrence et al (2007) write, a lot of medics do not have the professional know-how on how to deal with religion issues; they therefore rely on their own understanding, an aspect which may hamper the success of the entire practice. Conclusively, it is warranted to argue that religion has a huge role to play in the course of medical practice. The medics, therefore, need to play a keen role whilst applying religion/ spirituality in their clinical practices, so as to give detailed reports on the same.

The issue of portraying religion and spirituality as contrasting concepts can, therefore, be termed as a fallacy, as far as the medical field is concerned. ReferencesCurlin, F., Sellergren, S., Lantos, J., Chin, M. (2007). Physicians Observations and Interpretations of the Influence of Religion and Spirituality on Health. Arch Intern Med, 167:649-654.Lawrence, R., Curlin, F., Odell, S., Chin, M., Lantos, J., Koenig, H. & Meador, K. (2007). Religion, Spirituality, and Medicine: Psychiatrists’ and Other Physicians’ Differing Observations, Interpretations, and Clinical Approaches.

Am J Psychiatry, 164:1825–1831.