Physicians’ religiosity and attitudes towards patients

• Autorzy: Pawlikowski J. , Sak J. J. , Marczewski K.
• Języki publikacji: EN

Abstrakty

EN

Background: Many religions underline the value of merciful acts, especially the care of the sick. The aim of the survey was to verify the hypothesis that a higher religiosity correlates with a more desirable ethical attitude towards patients. Method: An anonymous questionnaire consisting of standardized tools: Scale of Attitudes towards the Patient (SAtP) (four dimensions: respect for autonomy, altruism, empathy and holistic approach to a patient), the Scale of Religious Attitudes (SReAt) evaluating the religiosity, and some questions related to the role of religious beliefs in respondents’ professional lives. The research was carried out on a group of 528 Polish physicians, 324 of whom returned the questionnaire (return = 61%); 51% women, 49% men; average work experience: 17.03 years; 93% Catholics. Results: Religiosity correlates positively with altruism (r=0.12; p<0.05), holistic approach (r=0.18; p<0.01) and empathy (r=0.20; p<0.01), but not with respect for autonomy. For the majority of physicians, religious faith is an important supportive factor, especially in making difficult decisions. Surgeons are less religious (M=5.32; SD=1.06) than non-surgeons (M=5.61; SD=0.93); (t= -2.59, p<0.05). Conclusion: Physicians’ religiosity is an essential factor shaping their attitude towards patients. The majority of physicians declared that their religious faith influences their professional decisions, especially in difficult situations. The religiosity variable explains physicians’ moral attitude better than the denomination (religious affiliation) variable. Physician-patient relation frameworks should take into account not only patients’ but also physicians’ cultural and religious beliefs.

• Wydawca: -
• Czasopismo: Annals of Agricultural and Environmental Medicine
• Rocznik: 2012
• Tom: 19
• Numer: 3
• Opis fizyczny: p.503-507,fig.,ref.

Twórcy

autor

Pawlikowski J.

• Department of Ethics and Human Philosophy, Medical University of Lublin, Poland; Institute of Rural Health, Lublin, Poland

autor

Sak J. J.

• Department of Ethics and Human Philosophy, Medical University of Lublin, Poland

autor

Marczewski K.

• Department of Bioethics, Anthropology and General Theory of Medicine, College of Management and Public Administration, Zamość, Poland

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