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Most doctors believe God intervenes 
Study finds all physicians have seen cures 'that don't make sense'

A majority of American doctors believe God or another supernatural being intervenes in patients' health, a study has found.

And nearly two in five doctors believe religion and spirituality can help prevent bad outcomes such as heart attacks, infections and even death, according to the University of Chicago nationwide survey of 2,000 physicians.

"Most physicians apply medical science while maintaining a belief that God intervenes in patients' health," Dr. Farr Curlin and colleagues wrote in the Archives of Internal Medicine.
Cures 'that don't make sense'

Religious doctors were more likely than nonreligious doctors to believe this -- and to report that patients bring up religious issues.

Dr. Wayne Detmer, an internist at Lawndale Christian Health Center, said all doctors have seen cures of patients "that don't make sense based on our current understanding of physiology or medicine."

Detmer recalls one patient, disabled by a neurological condition, who was able to walk again after praying. A pastor, diagnosed with terminal lymphoma, is still alive after 13 years. And a suicidal patient has regained the willingness to live after prayer.

Detmer said he can't prove God made these patients better. But he notes the Bible says Jesus healed people. "It's not so much of a stretch to believe He can still do it."

About three out of four doctors believe religion and spirituality give patients a positive, hopeful state of mind and help them cope with illness and suffering.

But there are possible drawbacks. About one-third of doctors believe religion and spirituality can cause patients to refuse, delay or stop medical therapy or avoid taking responsibility for their health, the U. of C. study found.

And 45 percent of doctors said religion and spirituality can cause guilt, anxiety or other negative emotions that lead to increased patient suffering.

Nevertheless, 85 percent of doctors believe the influence of religion and spirituality is generally positive.
Giving patients false hope?

The role of religion is one of the most contentious issues in medicine. Many studies have found there are health benefits to prayer, church attendance, etc., but critics say those studies are flawed. Some experts believe religion can do more harm than good, by for example, giving patients false hopes.

Among the most vocal critics is Richard Sloan of Columbia University Medical Center, author of Blind Faith: The Unholy Alliance of Religion and Medicine.

Sloan is troubled by the study's finding that 54 percent of doctors believe God intervenes in patients' health. "That's a religious assertion, not a scientific assertion," he said.

Sloan noted the survey had a 63 percent response rate -- "acceptable, but lower than you'd like."

Consequently, researchers should be cautious about interpreting the results, Sloan said.

Study numbers

54%
of doctors surveyed believe God or another supernatural being intervenes in patients' health.

76%
of doctors surveyed believe God or another supernatural being helps patients cope with and endure illness and suffering.

74%
of doctors surveyed believe God or another supernatural being gives patients a hopeful state of mind.

miracles do still happen, and doctors are still willing to acknowledge them!


When my wife and I were first engaged she informed me that she could not
have any more children due to her tubes being tied. After we had been
married for about a year, we prayed to have another child if the Lord would
allow it. 

Six months later I came home from work, and was met at the door by my wife
with this statement: "Grandpa, you need to set down ...dad!"

The pregnancy was a the easiest my wife said of all her children. When my son
was delivered, by c-section is when we were made aware of just how much of
a miracle he was.

     1)her tubal had not come undone
     2)the doctor said that the circumstances that the baby survived in were
        less than 1/2 that of a normal pregnancy
     3)a non christian doctor stated:  "do not tell this doctor that God does
        not have of purpose for this child, or he would have never made it"

This miracle child, that medically should not have happened, was born an
nine pound four ounce 23 inch long bundle of enery .

Thank God for prayers made in ignorance, that he is willing to answer.
I don't know if he is making me old, or keeping me young; but having a
10 year old son at 50 is interesting to say the least

ravenloche

This describes me completely, I have several Neurological problems, I was in a wheelchair for one year and my Neurologist thought I was not going to be able to walk again, he even ordered an electric wheelchair for me. He was very upset when the company he ordered it from sent me a manual wheelchair, because he believed that I would eventually not be able to wheel myself around. Well it's going on 6 years now and I am walking on my own 2 feet. Sometimes I do need my walker or my cane, but I have not and will not go back to a wheelchair. God answered my prayers. My doctor is still so impressed he has said that I am a 'phenomenon', and an 'anomaly'.   ;D ;D ;D