The impact of religiosity and spirituality in the health context of resident physicians

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Literature has pointed out benefits of inserting religiosity and spirituality (R/S) in patient care, indicating the need of training health professionals in this subject. However, it is necessary to take care of those who take care. So it is essential to study the role of R/S in one of the professional segments that are in the front lines of patient care. OBJECTIVE: Analyze the profile of R/S of resident doctors and its role in their life quality and well-being. METHODS: This is a cross-sectional quantitative study and describes the reality of 51 resident physicians. Data were obtained through self-administered instruments: Social Demographic Questionnaire; Perception of R/S; BMMRS (Brief Multidimensional Measure of R/S); SWBS (Subjective Well-Being Scale); WHOQOL-Bref (Whoqol Health Organization Quality of Life); MBI (Maslach Burnout Inventory). Data were analyzed by Statistical Packge for the Social Science/23.The study was approved by the Research Ethics Committee, opinion 2,770,936. RESULTS: From the 51 resident doctors, 74.5% were female, 70.6% between 26 and 30 years old, 74.5% white, 64.7% Catholic. BMMRS: most believe that R/S provides positive support for coping with stressful situations. SWB-S found a high rate of positive emotions, lower rates of negative emotions and satisfaction with life. WHOQOL: assessed good life quality and fair health satisfaction. MBI identified moderate emotional exhaustion, low depersonalization and a high level for low professional achievement. CONCLUSION: We conclude that R/S interferes positively in the resident doctors life quality and in the prevention of burnout syndrome, helping them face the challenges during the period of training represented by the medical residency.