Should “spirituality” be part of medical training?

Posted by Sean Keating on September 19th, 2007. Filed under: religion, medical school curriculum, religion, spiritual_beliefs, university_of_buffalo_school_of_medicine.

Is spirituality something that can be taught?

Medical students in the University of Buffalo School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences are being introduced this fall to a new set of courses incorporating spirituality into their training to become physicians.

“Many patients have spiritual beliefs that affect their health and well-being,” said Holmes. “According to a 2004 Gallup poll, 90 percent of American adults believe in God, and 84 percent say that religion is very important or fairly important in their own life.”

I think spirituality here is being used as a euphemism for religion. Many people, doctors and patients included, tend to put their personal spiritual beliefs on a higher level than those of others, even if they say they “respect” others’ spiritual beliefs.

What do you think? Let us know in the comments.

Spirituality Courses Become Part of Medical School Curriculum [Via Buffalo School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences]

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From Medical Economics magazine, more on religion ...

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One Response to “Should “spirituality” be part of medical training?”

Patricia Patterson, on October 8th, 2007 at 1:59 pm Said:

I am doing research to compare how spirituality is incorporated into the training process of homeopathic and traditionaly trained physicians. I would be interested in any information you have on the subject.