Student religiosity and attitudes toward religion in medicine at a private Catholic medical school. 2000

J T Chibnall, and C B Call, and J M Jeral, and C Holthaus
Department of Psychiatry, Saint Louis University, USA. chibnajt@slu.edu

OBJECTIVE This study examined attitudes of medical students at a private Catholic medical school toward religion in medical education and practice and the relationship of these attitudes to medical student religiosity. METHODS Surveys were mailed to first- and second-year medical students at Saint Louis University. The survey concerned attitudes about the integration of religious issues into the medical school curriculum and clinical practice and the personal importance of religion in the student's life (i.e., religiosity). RESULTS The response rate was 61% (188/308). Nearly half of the students supported the introduction of religious studies into the medical curriculum, primarily through electives and modelling during clinical clerkships. Students with a higher level of personal religiosity were more likely to advocate training and participation in religious inquiry and behavior in the medical clinic. CONCLUSIONS A significant minority of medical students at this Catholic university supported attention to religious issues in the medical school curriculum. The percentage might be lower at medical schools with no religious affiliation. The data indicate that students' religiosity is associated with their support for religious inquiry with patients and for the inclusion of religious issues in the medical school curriculum.

UI MeSH Term Description Entries
D008923 Missouri State bounded on the east by Illinois and Kentucky, on the south by Arkansas, on the west by Kansas, and on the north by Iowa.
D012067 Religion A set of beliefs concerning the nature, cause, and purpose of the universe, especially when considered as the creation of a superhuman agency. It usually involves devotional and ritual observances and often a moral code for the conduct of human affairs. (Random House Collegiate Dictionary, rev. ed.) Prayer,Religious Beliefs,Religious Ethics,Beliefs, Religious,Ethic, Religious,Prayers,Religions,Religious Belief
D003479 Curriculum A course of study offered by an educational institution. Curricula,Short-Term Courses,Course, Short-Term,Courses, Short-Term,Short Term Courses,Short-Term Course
D006801 Humans Members of the species Homo sapiens. Homo sapiens,Man (Taxonomy),Human,Man, Modern,Modern Man
D000328 Adult A person having attained full growth or maturity. Adults are of 19 through 44 years of age. For a person between 19 and 24 years of age, YOUNG ADULT is available. Adults
D001291 Attitude of Health Personnel Attitudes of personnel toward their patients, other professionals, toward the medical care system, etc. Staff Attitude,Attitude, Staff,Attitudes, Staff,Health Personnel Attitude,Health Personnel Attitudes,Staff Attitudes
D012577 Schools, Medical Educational institutions for individuals specializing in the field of medicine. Medical Schools,Medical School,School, Medical
D013337 Students, Medical Individuals enrolled in a school of medicine or a formal educational program in medicine. Medical Student,Medical Students,Student, Medical

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