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01-12-2011 | Original Paper

Jewish Physicians’ Beliefs and Practices Regarding Religion/Spirituality in the Clinical Encounter

Authors: Robert M. Stern, Kenneth A. Rasinski, Farr A. Curlin

Published in: Journal of Religion and Health | Issue 4/2011

Abstract

We used data from a 2003 survey of US physicians to examine differences between Jewish and other religiously affiliated physicians on 4-D of physicians’ beliefs and practices regarding religion and spirituality (R/S) in the clinical encounter. On each dimension, Jewish physicians ascribed less importance to the effect of R/S on health and a lesser role for physicians in addressing R/S issues. These effects were partially mediated by lower levels of religiosity among Jewish physicians and by differences in demographic and practice-level characteristics. The study provides a salient example of how religious affiliation can be an important independent predictor of physicians’ clinically-relevant beliefs and practices.

Interestingly, the two explanations offered here may be specific to the generation of Jewish physicians surveyed. Younger Jews in the United States are less defined by an outsider status and less affected by the events of the Holocaust. It will be note-worthy whether identification with Judaism remains a significant predictor amongst the next generation of Jewish physicians.

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Title: Jewish Physicians’ Beliefs and Practices Regarding Religion/Spirituality in the Clinical Encounter
Authors: Robert M. Stern
Kenneth A. Rasinski
Farr A. Curlin
Publication date: 01-12-2011
Publisher: Springer US
Published in: Journal of Religion and Health / Issue 4/2011
Print ISSN: 0022-4197
Electronic ISSN: 1573-6571
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10943-011-9509-1

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