Mind, Body, and Spirit: Family Physicians’ Beliefs, Attitudes, and Practices Regarding the Integration of Patient Spirituality into Medical Care

Spirituality in general practice: a qualitative evidence synthesis

“…It's about trying to get to know a patient and understand how their life is "outside" of their disease, "outside" of our clinic.' 31 GPs viewed themselves as facilitators and encouragers of patients' spiritual values, and as resources rather than as spiritual counsellors. 26 They noted that encouraging patients to use spiritual practices that had helped them in the past to manage difficult circumstances was a method by which they provided spiritual care: 29,32 'If the patient says ... "I don't go to church, I don't pray"; then I will encourage them to e753 British Journal of General Practice, November 2011 Besides the scientific evidence, the GPs who overtly discussed spiritual issues in spite of perceived barriers did so because of its relevance to their patients; they perceived spiritual care to be an important aspect of patient care: 29,31,32 'The advantages [of integrating spirituality in medicine] are to improve how people heal ...…”

“…31 When should GPs provide spiritual care? Most GPs reported that they would leave it to their patients to raise the topic of spiritual beliefs: 26,28,30,31 'It's one of those areas where you need a small amount of the patient's permission to get started and a lot more of the patient's permission to finish.' 26 In general, GPs accepted that if spiritual issues or questions were raised, they should be responded to.…”

“…26 In general, GPs accepted that if spiritual issues or questions were raised, they should be responded to. 26,[28][29][30][31][32] Spiritual issues can be discussed if the patient raises the topic but, generally, GPs address patients' spirituality during critical points of clinical care (for example, terminal diagnosis), with a few addressing it throughout the continuum of care: 26,29,31,32 '... certainly chronic conditions ... when it gets to these potentially mortal, morbid sorts of situations in health care, you do see a lot more of "Why me? Why is this happening?…”

“…That is a healing experience.' 26 Several GPs expressed concern about being respectful of patients' beliefs without imposing their own beliefs and values: 26,31 'I can't even describe how negative it [would be] for me to impose my spiritual beliefs on [my] patients.' 26 GPs emphasised that they provided spiritual care to their patients by exhibiting a positive caring demeanour that was genuine and non-judgemental.…”

“…spiritual assessment described using both structured (that is, following a sequence of questions to prompt discussion) and unstructured (for example, following up on a comment or phrase from a patient that might indicate spiritual life) forms of spiritual assessment. 31 Barriers perceived by GPs in assessing and providing spiritual care Physician barriers GPs often feel uncertain about initiating spiritual discussions. They have a fear of alienating or causing discomfort in their patients.…”