Is initiating prayer with a patient unprofessional?

[osumc2014]

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Thoughts as to if asking a patient is it ok to pray with them for their illness etc seen as being unprofessional?

 

[KeyzerSoze]

Thoughts as to if asking a patient is it ok to pray with them for their illness etc seen as being unprofessional?

Thoughts as to if asking a patient is it ok to sacrifice goat entrails to Beelzebub with them for their illness etc seen as being unprofessional?

i.e. Yes.

 

[Alvarez13]

Thoughts as to if asking a patient is it ok to sacrifice goat entrails to Beelzebub with them for their illness etc seen as being unprofessional?

i.e. Yes.

Zing! 😀

 

[osumc2014]

Thoughts as to if asking a patient is it ok to sacrifice goat entrails to Beelzebub with them for their illness etc seen as being unprofessional?

i.e. Yes.

yes cause that's exactly like prayer

 

[Arsenophilia]

yes cause that's exactly like prayer

*wooosh*

 

[Angulimala]

yes cause that's exactly like prayer

It's pretty similar to me.

Leave the praying to the hospital chaplain.

 

[Siverhideo1985]

Thoughts as to if asking a patient is it ok to pray with them for their illness etc seen as being unprofessional?

I personally think that this might not be the most patient-centered approach to this topic. If I was your patient and I am not religious, this would make me uncomfortable. If I was religious but not of the same faith as you it might still make me uncomfortable.

IMHO, I would leave this up to the patient. You can let them know at the beginning of your interaction that you are open to making the spiritual aspect part of your therapeutic approach and ask the patient how important it is to them. That way you leave them a choice w/o putting them on the spot with an in promptu prayer.

 

[bakanoisha]

IMHO, if a patient ASKS you to pray with them it'd be appropriate for you to participate.

Just remember this: you're a physician, not a proselytizer. If you're going to put your duty to God before your duty as a physician, then perhaps you need to find a job that allows you to do that. A hospital is certainly not that place.

 

[flatearth22]

 

[KeyzerSoze]

yes cause that's exactly like prayer

Other than the messiness, yes, a lot of people would say it is. Did you have a particular deity in mind?

I basically agree with Siverhideo and bakanoisha.

 

[Salt and Lime]

I have worked in inpatient drug & alcohol rehab and in hospice - both situations in which many patients and their families pray. In both situations, the policy was that we shouldn't initiate it, but if a pt wanted us to pray with them, we could if we wanted to. I was never asked.

 

[DrBowtie]

I think you would get a complaint filed against you if the person was a hardcore atheist.
Complaints about professionalism are large red flags.

 

[RySerr21]

Thoughts as to if asking a patient is it ok to pray with them for their illness etc seen as being unprofessional?

for sure, 100%, not okay. Would anything really terrible happen to you if you did, probably not. I dont think it violates any type of rule or anything. But just in terms of being a good physician......no way. If your patient is not religious (a lot won't be) or if they are a different religion (a lot will be) then thats not gonna be cool...putting them in a very unnecessary and awkward situation. If you feel the need to pray for your patient(s), do it on your own time time, in privacy.

At the worst, it could freak someone out "oh man im in such bad shape my doctor feels like he has to pray for me to get better!

Like another poster said, if you are asked to join a patient and his/her family in prayer, then thats different. I would do that, even tho i am not religious in the slightest.

 

[CecilJacobson]

Just be sure that your patient isn't part of The Church of the FSM, they can be a little radical.









NO you dimwit! Don't invite a patient to pray with you. Acknowledgement of (an) active and intervening god(s) is a forfeiture of science. This thread belongs with threads arguing intelligent design.

-C.J.

 

[KeyzerSoze]

NO you dimwit! Don't invite a patient to pray with you. Acknowledgement of (an) active and intervening god(s) is a forfeiture of science. This thread belongs with threads arguing intelligent design.

No, that's absurd. As a physician, you're no more a missionary for atheism than for theism. Therefore, don't invite a patient to pray with you, but if a patient asks you to pray with him there's nothing wrong with doing so, although you're certainly not obligated to.

 

[gravitywave]

No, that's absurd. As a physician, you're no more a missionary for atheism than for theism. Therefore, don't invite a patient to pray with you, but if a patient asks you to pray with him there's nothing wrong with doing so, although you're certainly not obligated to.

truth. medicine =/= science.

I'm with Siverhideo1985 here. I believe that's also the correct answer if it shows up on an exam sometime 😉

 

[deleted92121]

Been asked before by a patient to pray with them. I decline the offer but have informed them that I would be more than happy to contact the chaplain for them. This happens a lot to nurses, techs, and ancillary staff more than physicians. I think patients approach nursing staff and the like differently. This is purely anecdotal and based on my time working in the ED.

But you should never ask/offer to pray with a patient IMHO.

 

[Asklepian]

If it is important to you to be able to pray with your patients, you will find a way. There are private practices, for instance, that are very obvious coalitions of practitioners of a certain religion.

I think that it is an admirable trait if you wish to integrate your spiritual beliefs alongside your clinical practice.

Don't mind the naysayers. It's not always easy standing up for what you believe in, but then again most good things aren't easy.

 

[FutureInternist]

http://forums.studentdoctor.net/showthread.php?t=637233

 

[Siverhideo1985]

If it is important to you to be able to pray with your patients, you will find a way. There are private practices, for instance, that are very obvious coalitions of practitioners of a certain religion.

I think that it is an admirable trait if you wish to integrate your spiritual beliefs alongside your clinical practice.

Don't mind the naysayers. It's not always easy standing up for what you believe in, but then again most good things aren't easy.

Never, ever (ever, ever, ever) force your beliefs on your patient, thereby compromising their autonomy and/or your patient-physician relationship.

If your patient desires to pray with you: great! (and quite a few will want to, so you should make it apparent that you are comfortable with that realm of a therapeutic approach)

If your patient doesn't want prayer then you better do your praying at home/church/ or the hospital closet.

It is a lot harder to recognize your patients needs medically, mentally, and spiritually and stand up for their beliefs (rather than standing up for your own religious views).

 

[Rollo]

If you're going to put your duty to God before your duty as a physician, then perhaps you need to find a job that allows you to do that. A hospital is certainly not that place.

My duty to God INVOLVES my duty to be a good physician. For me, God comes before everything else including being a medical student/future physician.

Anyway, I agree that if you don't know what your patient's beliefs are then you should not ask them to pray with you. I think it's perfectly ok to tell them that you're praying for them in your own privacy just like you're praying for everyone else in your life. And you also want to make it clear that the fact that you're praying for them doesn't mean that they're in a terrible condition because some might automatically conclude that.

I think it's interesting how lot of people on this thread equate being a "good" physician with somebody who never prays or worse, is an atheist.

I agree with them to the extent that you should not force your beliefs on others, i.e. "along with your ace-inhibitor, i want to give you this passage from Luke". Especially if you know that your patient is an atheist or of different faith.

I do think that you should ask your patient about their spiritual health. If you are of the same faith, then of course extend that conversation further and let them know that you'll pray for them. I would go further and ask that if we can pray right there IF they are of the same faith as me. If they are NOT same faith as me, then I would let them know that I'll pray for them.

So in certain contexts, yes it is unprofessional to ask to pray with them. However, in situations where you and the patient are of same faith then it's perfectly ok to ask to pray with them.

 

[flatearth22]

My duty to God INVOLVES my duty to be a good physician. For me, God comes before everything else including being a medical student/future physician.

Anyway, I agree that if you don't know what your patient's beliefs are then you should not ask them to pray with you. I think it's perfectly ok to tell them that you're praying for them in your own privacy just like you're praying for everyone else in your life. And you also want to make it clear that the fact that you're praying for them doesn't mean that they're in a terrible condition because some might automatically conclude that.

I think it's interesting how lot of people on this thread equate being a "good" physician with somebody who never prays or worse, is an atheist.

I agree with them to the extent that you should not force your beliefs on others, i.e. "along with your ace-inhibitor, i want to give you this passage from Luke". Especially if you know that your patient is an atheist or of different faith.

I do think that you should ask your patient about their spiritual health. If you are of the same faith, then of course extend that conversation further and let them know that you'll pray for them. I would go further and ask that if we can pray right there IF they are of the same faith as me. If they are NOT same faith as me, then I would let them know that I'll pray for them.

So in certain contexts, yes it is unprofessional to ask to pray with them. However, in situations where you and the patient are of same faith then it's perfectly ok to ask to pray with them.

Wow....

 

[Narmerguy]

If you're going to put your duty to God before your duty as a physician, then perhaps you need to find a job that allows you to do that. A hospital is certainly not that place.

You realize that's an absurd statement to make to anyone that takes their faith seriously? One's "duty to God" very much includes healing those around him, devoting one's self to the service of others, etc. Secondly, there's nothing about being a physician that inhibits one from one's duty to God.

NO you dimwit! Don't invite a patient to pray with you. Acknowledgement of (an) active and intervening god(s) is a forfeiture of science. This thread belongs with threads arguing intelligent design.

-C.J.

Inform yourself on the mature beliefs about God and science before making blanket statements about entire religions/fields of study. Keep in mind that many philosophers/theologians devote their entire careers to understanding this link and how the two can/cannot be combined. There's great literature out there that can tug one in multiple ways if one actually possesses a genuine interest in the topic.

Intelligent design is a very specific theory that is hardly endorsed by the bulk of scientists with some sort of faith let alone theologians/philosophers.

 

[Siverhideo1985]

This is about where this thread goes off topic and into the never-ending, ever-futile discussion/argument between SDNers of faith and those without.

 

[Geekchick921]

This is about where this thread goes off topic and into the never-ending, ever-futile discussion/argument between SDNers of faith and those without.

Sure as bears **** in the woods, my friend.

Anyway, my $0.02 is that it's unprofessional to initiate prayer with a patient. You are not sure of their beliefs or how they choose to deal with fear and/or grief. However, I think if a patient asked me to pray with them, I would oblige, but I'd first offer the services of the hospital chaplains if they'd rather have a priest, pastor, rabbi, etc.

 

[KeyzerSoze]

My duty to God INVOLVES my duty to be a good physician. For me, God comes before everything else including being a medical student/future physician.

Anyway, I agree that if you don't know what your patient's beliefs are then you should not ask them to pray with you. I think it's perfectly ok to tell them that you're praying for them in your own privacy just like you're praying for everyone else in your life. And you also want to make it clear that the fact that you're praying for them doesn't mean that they're in a terrible condition because some might automatically conclude that.

I think it's interesting how lot of people on this thread equate being a "good" physician with somebody who never prays or worse, is an atheist.

I agree with them to the extent that you should not force your beliefs on others, i.e. "along with your ace-inhibitor, i want to give you this passage from Luke". Especially if you know that your patient is an atheist or of different faith.

I do think that you should ask your patient about their spiritual health. If you are of the same faith, then of course extend that conversation further and let them know that you'll pray for them. I would go further and ask that if we can pray right there IF they are of the same faith as me. If they are NOT same faith as me, then I would let them know that I'll pray for them.

So in certain contexts, yes it is unprofessional to ask to pray with them. However, in situations where you and the patient are of same faith then it's perfectly ok to ask to pray with them.

Informing a patient of a different faith that you will pray for them is wildly unprofessional. Frankly, I would feel uncomfortable if a doctor of my own faith asked me to pray with him or told me that he would pray for me.

 

[AbbyNormal]

What if you are atheist and your patient asks if you will pray for him? What then? Do you be honest or do you lie and go through the motions of praying?

 

[Residual]

I do think that you should ask your patient about their spiritual health. If you are of the same faith, then of course extend that conversation further and let them know that you'll pray for them. I would go further and ask that if we can pray right there IF they are of the same faith as me. If they are NOT same faith as me, then I would let them know that I'll pray for them.

You mean, like, have I invited Jesus into my heart so he can protect me from MI?

Also, you're a straight-up prick if you tell someone of another/no faith that you'll pray for them. Or at least, you'll seem that way to anyone who hasn't drunk the koolaid.

 

[ACSurgeon]

My duty to God INVOLVES my duty to be a good physician. For me, God comes before everything else including being a medical student/future physician.

Anyway, I agree that if you don't know what your patient's beliefs are then you should not ask them to pray with you. I think it's perfectly ok to tell them that you're praying for them in your own privacy just like you're praying for everyone else in your life. And you also want to make it clear that the fact that you're praying for them doesn't mean that they're in a terrible condition because some might automatically conclude that.

I think it's interesting how lot of people on this thread equate being a "good" physician with somebody who never prays or worse, is an atheist.

I agree with them to the extent that you should not force your beliefs on others, i.e. "along with your ace-inhibitor, i want to give you this passage from Luke". Especially if you know that your patient is an atheist or of different faith.

I do think that you should ask your patient about their spiritual health. If you are of the same faith, then of course extend that conversation further and let them know that you'll pray for them. I would go further and ask that if we can pray right there IF they are of the same faith as me. If they are NOT same faith as me, then I would let them know that I'll pray for them.

So in certain contexts, yes it is unprofessional to ask to pray with them. However, in situations where you and the patient are of same faith then it's perfectly ok to ask to pray with them.

While I am fairly religious, I would never mention that I would pray for a patient or ask if they'd like to pray together. They come to you, as a physician, for medical healing. If someone said they would pray for me, I might understand that as "modern medicine isn't advanced enough to fix your problem, so I'll pray for you."

Now, if you practice in a small community where most people accept this as normal (AND you're in your 60's), then sure. Otherwise, I'd be very careful.

I don't think it would ever cause anyone any serious trouble, but it will likely rub a lot of patients and familes the wrong way.

 

[CardiacIntensivist]

It depends on your relationship with the patient and how religious they are. If I had some unknown doctor offer to pray with me, I'd tell them to GTFO.

 

[Rollo]

You mean, like, have I invited Jesus into my heart so he can protect me from MI?

Also, you're a straight-up prick if you tell someone of another/no faith that you'll pray for them. Or at least, you'll seem that way to anyone who hasn't drunk the koolaid.

No, not have you invited Jesus into your heart. More like, "Do you practice any religion? If yes, how have your spiritual beliefs affected your personal health? Do you find it harder to practice your faith because of your condition?" You'd be surprised to learn how many of your patients spiritual beliefs are altered in drastic ways because of some acute life-threatening illness or chronic problems that modern medicine doesn't seem to help cure completely.

I didn't say that I'll tell somebody with no faith i.e. atheist, that I'll pray for them. And if you don't mind, let's keep the name calling to a minimum.

While I am fairly religious, I would never mention that I would pray for a patient or ask if they'd like to pray together. They come to you, as a physician, for medical healing. If someone said they would pray for me, I might understand that as "modern medicine isn't advanced enough to fix your problem, so I'll pray for you."

Now, if you practice in a small community where most people accept this as normal (AND you're in your 60's), then sure. Otherwise, I'd be very careful.

I don't think it would ever cause anyone any serious trouble, but it will likely rub a lot of patients and familes the wrong way.

How can it rub people, who are of the same faith as you, the wrong way? Most popular world religions today endorse believers praying for each other.

Now if I were to replace the medical help they came for with amateur-hour preaching, then of course I'm doing a huge disservice. Otherwise, mentioning that I'll keep them in my prayers can't possibly offend those who are of the same faith as me. If it does, then they need to understand that I'm still their doctor who just happens to be of the same faith and is going the "extra-mile" for them by keeping them in his prayers.

 

[StephenMaturin]

Informing a patient of a different faith that you will pray for them is wildly unprofessional. Frankly, I would feel uncomfortable if a doctor of myu own faith asked me to pray with him or told me that he would pray for me.

Agree, asking about a pts "spiritual health" or saying that you'll pray for them is wildly inappropriate and unprofessional. It is hard to believe people could think that this would be acceptable behavior.

 

[gravitywave]

Agree, asking about a pts "spiritual health" or saying that you'll pray for them is wildly inappropriate and unprofessional. It is hard to believe people could think that this would be acceptable behavior.

asking about your patients' spiritual health and telling them that you'll pray for them are two very different things. one is good medical practice in certain situations; the other is profoundly unprofessional.

the stubborn effort being made to conflate spirituality and religion by nearly everyone in here is really weird.

 

[mvenus929]

I personally think that this might not be the most patient-centered approach to this topic. If I was your patient and I am not religious, this would make me uncomfortable. If I was religious but not of the same faith as you it might still make me uncomfortable.

Agreed. I'm not of a religion that is terribly common in the places I've lived, and it has always been awkward when someone has asked to pray with or for me. So because I wouldn't want my physician to initiate a prayer with me, I won't initiate one with patients. That said, I wouldn't mind standing by and participating in a prayer with them.

 

[Fleur de Me]

What if you are atheist and your patient asks if you will pray for him? What then? Do you be honest or do you lie and go through the motions of praying?

I'm a pretty hardcore athiest, but my stance on this is to take the patient's hand and "pray" with them if it helps them feel better. In my mind, I'm not speaking to God, but I'm putting positive thoughts and energy into the universe, and whether it helps or is useless, it certainly doesn't hurt. I don't think there is ever a reason to reject a patient's desire to pray.

That being said, I get pissed when other people want to force prayer. My preceptor prays over all of his patients (he has a private practice), even when he's about to do a simple procedure like Botox. He's my boss, so I never say anything, but personally it offends the crap out of me that he forces this on his patients and staff- but it is his practice, so he does what he wants. I try to look respectful, but I hate it because I feel like I have to go along because he's my superior. For some reason, it feels a lot different when a patient asks.

 

[strongboy2005]

Agree, asking about a pts "spiritual health" or saying that you'll pray for them is wildly inappropriate and unprofessional. It is hard to believe people could think that this would be acceptable behavior.

When you get to medical school you will learn about asking about spiritual health. It can be VERY important in patients with terminal illness to ascertain their social support structure and find out more about how they deal with their illness. Knowing these things about your patient can impact your care for them.

 

[Asklepian]

Never, ever (ever, ever, ever) force your beliefs on your patient, thereby compromising their autonomy and/or your patient-physician relationship.

If your patient desires to pray with you: great! (and quite a few will want to, so you should make it apparent that you are comfortable with that realm of a therapeutic approach)

If your patient doesn't want prayer then you better do your praying at home/church/ or the hospital closet.

It is a lot harder to recognize your patients needs medically, mentally, and spiritually and stand up for their beliefs (rather than standing up for your own religious views).

I apologize if I misconstrued my meaning. I in no way meant to imply a force of beliefs upon anyone. Rather, I was trying to let the OP know that there are options to practice where patients of the same faith may WANT to come and receive care from someone that shares their common belief.

Also, on another note (not to anyone specific), I find the highly indignant and pretentious nature of those "enlightened" souls who find it easy to bash on religion to be highly offensive. It is entirely hypocrisy to preach from your pulpit of tolerance of patient's beliefs (or unbeliefs) while disrespecting those of your colleagues.

 

[Danlee07]

with people,you don't impose beliefs. if they want it, then i will.

this forum shows so many atheists/anti-religious people on any thread to do with this.

 

[shiftingmirage]

Thoughts as to if asking a patient is it ok to pray with them for their illness etc seen as being unprofessional?

I think you are going wrong with the initiation part. If a pt asks you to pray with them, then you can decide. But you make it seem as you are the one asking them to pray. Definitely don't do that.

 

[osumc2014]

Yes, the questions was very much focused on the "initiating" part, not so much whether or not a physician should pray with patients who asks. This is not so much starting a war bt SDNers, but more to express opinions and learning about the issue. Main reason is that we had a session in our class today about this, and we were actually taught how to do a spiritual interview apart from social history. So just seeing where people stand that s all.

I also realize this is a very personal issue, and every physician is entitled to their own beliefs and ways of doing things. It's just good to gauge what other people think at times

 

[acb88]

My duty to God INVOLVES my duty to be a good physician. For me, God comes before everything else including being a medical student/future physician.

Anyway, I agree that if you don't know what your patient's beliefs are then you should not ask them to pray with you. I think it's perfectly ok to tell them that you're praying for them in your own privacy just like you're praying for everyone else in your life. And you also want to make it clear that the fact that you're praying for them doesn't mean that they're in a terrible condition because some might automatically conclude that.

I think it's interesting how lot of people on this thread equate being a "good" physician with somebody who never prays or worse, is an atheist.

I agree with them to the extent that you should not force your beliefs on others, i.e. "along with your ace-inhibitor, i want to give you this passage from Luke". Especially if you know that your patient is an atheist or of different faith.

I do think that you should ask your patient about their spiritual health. If you are of the same faith, then of course extend that conversation further and let them know that you'll pray for them. I would go further and ask that if we can pray right there IF they are of the same faith as me. If they are NOT same faith as me, then I would let them know that I'll pray for them.

So in certain contexts, yes it is unprofessional to ask to pray with them. However, in situations where you and the patient are of same faith then it's perfectly ok to ask to pray with them.

I'm a religious non-Christian raised in a very conservative Christian part of the country. Because of this, many people have told me that they are going to pray for me for all different reasons, and there has not been a single time where I have appreciated it. I come from a religion where we don't tell people we are going to pray for them, and in fact tend to find it offensive. I understand that the people who say it mean well, but unless you are absolutely sure a patient won't take offense to it, I don't think it should be used in the medical setting. Please be careful when you say things like this, as it can make people extremely uncomfortable.

 

[KeyzerSoze]

Yes, the questions was very much focused on the "initiating" part, not so much whether or not a physician should pray with patients who asks. This is not so much starting a war bt SDNers, but more to express opinions and learning about the issue. Main reason is that we had a session in our class today about this, and we were actually taught how to do a spiritual interview apart from social history. So just seeing where people stand that s all.

I also realize this is a very personal issue, and every physician is entitled to their own beliefs and ways of doing things. It's just good to gauge what other people think at times

Consider that the reaction you see here mirrors how some patients will feel when you tell them you'd like to pray for/with them.

 

[Narmerguy]

As a Christian, I also want to point out that it's not really necessary to get a patient's consent to pray for them (or to ask them at all). If you really are trying to help them through prayer, you're fully free to go home and pray for every single one you feel needs it.

Sure some patients could possibly be bolstered just knowing that you are praying for them but plenty won't (may even make them feel worse). You're really able to pray for them both all the same so long as it's private.

 

[DrBowtie]

Yes, the questions was very much focused on the "initiating" part, not so much whether or not a physician should pray with patients who asks. This is not so much starting a war bt SDNers, but more to express opinions and learning about the issue. Main reason is that we had a session in our class today about this, and we were actually taught how to do a spiritual interview apart from social history. So just seeing where people stand that s all.

I also realize this is a very personal issue, and every physician is entitled to their own beliefs and ways of doing things. It's just good to gauge what other people think at times

This is the difference between M1 patient courses and M3-M4 clinicals. They teach you all of this theory and touchy feely stuff that no one on the wards cares about.

The only time I would ever approach the subject was in the setting of hospice or terminal illness. Even then I don't think I would bring up religion specifically unless they did, more so "How do you feel about death, dying etc".

 

[Dharma]

When my step-mother was nearing death at Memorial Sloan-Kettering in NYC, her surgeon saw the Bible at her bedside. He noticed that one of the pages was marked off and he asked if he could see the prayer. This prayer was a particularly "Jesus-heavy" prayer and the surgeon, being Jewish said "yeah, I like Jesus and all, but let me show you my favorite." He flipped back to the Old Testament and found his favorite in Psalms. He asked my step-mom if he could pray with her. Then he took her hand and recited the verse that he found to be so powerful and healing.

That moment had a major impact on us all. More importantly, it touched something deep in my step-mother's soul. Call it what you may, but the healing that took place in that room that day went far beyond anything medicine had offered her in those few years of battling sarcoma. And that doc, went above and beyond his usual role as a surgeon (a top-notch surgeon at that).

I don't think there is a correct answer to the OP's question. One must become sensitive to his environment, learn how to read the situation, those around him, and act accordingly. That is something no one or no class can teach you.

Just be open to the experiences and lessons life will bring... and listen more than you speak. And trust your gut. You will know if the time is right with a quiet mind.

 

[Rollo]

I'm a religious non-Christian raised in a very conservative Christian part of the country. Because of this, many people have told me that they are going to pray for me for all different reasons, and there has not been a single time where I have appreciated it. I come from a religion where we don't tell people we are going to pray for them, and in fact tend to find it offensive. I understand that the people who say it mean well, but unless you are absolutely sure a patient won't take offense to it, I don't think it should be used in the medical setting. Please be careful when you say things like this, as it can make people extremely uncomfortable.

If you don't mind me asking, what religion are you?

Apart from Buddhism (they don't really pray but they meditate I believe), I don't know of any major religions that don't endorse praying for each other.

And a follow up question, why aren't you allowed to tell others you will pray for them?

 

[Belleza156]

Thoughts as to if asking a patient is it ok to pray with them for their illness etc seen as being unprofessional?

I can think of one exception where it may be acceptable to pray with the patient.....CATHOLIC hospitals. There are nuns and crosses EVERYWHERE. I'm sure they'd be into that sort of patient praying thing.

 

[Geekchick921]

Not everyone who comes to a Catholic hospital is Catholic, though, patients and doctors alike. Sometimes we get such staunchly non-Christian patients they'd take a towel and cover the crucifix in their room. In the 2 years I worked on a patient floor I never heard anything about a doctor or nurse asking a patient to pray with them. Maybe the other way around, but I never heard about that, either. We also have plenty of pastoral care people floating around, of various religions, and I think the patients and/or their families were made aware of those pretty early on in their admission. There is a prayer said over the PA system in the morning and probably at night at some point (I'm not there then), and that's pretty much the most forward my hospital gets about "asking" patients to pray with them.

 

[armorshell]

There's not really even a question here. Initiating prayer with patients is patently unprofessional. If a patient initiates prayer with you, well that's a different story altogether.

 

[surftheiop]

asking about your patients' spiritual health and telling them that you'll pray for them are two very different things. one is good medical practice in certain situations; the other is profoundly unprofessional.

the stubborn effort being made to conflate spirituality and religion by nearly everyone in here is really weird.

I think its interesting so many people on SDN are so hostile to anything bordering on a physician acknowledging spirituality.

I haven't seen this bias in medical schools though, at one interview (a state school) my interviewer mentioned that he taught a 4th year elective about patients' spirituality. He mentioned that as part of the class your "on call" with a chaplain of your choice in the hospital for a week and you also learn how to add spiritual needs to you assessment of patients.

(For example, there was a native american patient who had assumed that the hospital would not let his tribe's shaman/medicine man bring ceremonial items into the hospital, but when a student taking the class asked him if his spiritual needs were being meet they found this out and invited the tribal medicine man to bring sacred objects in for visits and the patients emotional status improved dramatically)