Sunday, July 15, 2007


Jul. 15, 2007 (McClatchy-Tribune Regional News delivered by Newstex) --
Dr. Bruce Leibert makes no apologies for who he is: a devout, outspoken Christian doctor who asks to pray with patients and asks them about their spiritual beliefs. And many of his patients like him that way.

'He is the most wonderful person to turn to -- he always prays with us, asks God to help us,' said Grace, a critically ill woman who asked that her real name not be used. 'It gives you a secure feeling that this is a man of God ... he's such a spiritual person himself, and he believes in the help we receive from the Lord.'

Leibert, program director of Valley Baptist Family Residency in Harlingen, openly incorporates spirituality into his practice because he believes it makes a difference in patients' physical and mental health, he said.

'A lot of studies talk about this ... how important this part of health is to people, and how often doctors ignore it,' Leibert said. 'Health must address not only body, not only the mind, but the undying soul ... If I can't minister to the soul, then I can't do medicine.'

In the past, a clear boundary has existed between religion and medicine: chaplains and pastors visited hospitals to attend to patients' spiritual needs, while doctors and providers were expected to solely treat the physical. That line between faith and science is starting to blur, though, as more health providers and hospitals are incorporating spirituality into patient care. From Bible studies for health-care workers to prayer time with patients to meditation classes at hospitals, faith is playing a more prominent role in the health-care setting, and for a good reason, experts say.

'Science is telling us clearly that when you activate your spirituality, various things happen in the body that help you heal better in times of disease and distress,' said Dr. R. Murali Krishna, president of the James L. Hall Center for Mind, Body and Spirit in Oklahoma City. Krishna and others founded the center 10 years ago, hoping to increase patient awareness about the mind-body connection, he said.

'We don't really talk about one particular religion or dogma -- what we talk about is spirituality, connecting with a higher power,' Krishna said of the center's focus. The center offers seminars on meditation, guided imagery and relaxation, in part to help people achieve that connection, he said.

'It helps you access the healing power within yourself,' Krishna said.

Connecting mind, body and spirit

Researchers have actively studied the mind-body connection since the 1960s, according to the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine, part of the National Institutes of Health. Studies have suggested that mind-calming practices like meditation, yoga and visualization can help reduce chronic pain, improve immunity, speed wound healing and reduce stress, which in turn improves health.

More researchers are now looking into whether similar results come from prayer, church attendance or strong belief in a religion. Some studies have indicated that spiritual beliefs and practices can improve the mental and physical health of the chronically ill and sick elderly, improve patients' ability to cope with pain and distress and protect against depression.

Patients seem to want to talk about spirituality and faith with their doctors, according to a 2004 survey that appeared in the Annals of Family Medicine. The survey found that 83 percent of respondents wanted their doctors to ask about their spiritual beliefs, and a majority wanted those beliefs to be considered when planning treatment.

Some local doctors routinely take a 'spiritual history' of their patients. Leibert, of Family Practice Residency, often asks questions like 'Do you go to church regularly?' and 'Do you pray?'

'It gives me an idea of where they are (spiritually), and how it affects them physically,' he said.

A spiritual history can help doctors tailor treatment to the individual patient, said Dr. Linda Villarreal, an Edinburg internist. If a patient is suffering from symptoms related to stress, for example, she'll suggest prayer or meditation depending on what the patient believes, she said.

Faith is important to many of her patients, Villarreal said.

'In our Hispanic culture, there's a strong faith component,' she said. 'Talking about that with my patients ... there's a sense of comfort in it.'

Leibert said his patients rarely turn down the chance to pray with him, when asked. He's prayed with people of all faiths and doesn't try to change their beliefs, he said.

'I don't go into the office to change them -- I just go to love and care for patients,' Leibert said.

Separation of church and medicine?

Some experts, however, are concerned about doctors bringing religion into office visits and the possible ethical implications.

When questions about religion turn into evangelism, or when a patient feels pressured to pray or conform to the doctor's beliefs, that's when the inquiries cross the line, said Richard P. Sloan, psychiatry professor at the New York-Presbyterian Hospital at Columbia University Medical Center in New York. Sloan is the author of 'Blind Faith: The Unholy Alliance of Religion and Medicine.'

'That's capitalizing on the vulnerable status of patients,' Sloan said. 'We want patients to do what physicians say when it comes to medical matters ... when they pursue a different agenda, a religious agenda, it's a real danger.'

Sloan said that questions about religion can invade patients' privacy and also cause feelings of guilt and remorse -- hardly a burden a sick person needs, he said.

'There are substantial ethical concerns in trying to link religion to medicine,' Sloan said. 'Nobody, least of all I, want to dispute that religion brings comfort in times of difficulty. But that doesn't justify bringing religious practices into medicine. The best solution is for (doctors) to allow people to express their religion without interference.'

Krishna, of the Hall Center for Mind, Body and Spirit, said he thinks prayer in the doctor's office is a good idea only if the patient's beliefs are consistent with that practice.

'If we're imposing our belief system on them, then it's crossing the boundary,' he said. 'We live in a world where people believe different things, and boundaries are important.'

Doctors should inquire about patients' spiritual beliefs, whatever they are, Krishna said. Having that information can help doctors offer better advice and help establish a connection with the patient, he said.

'If there is a spiritual component (to the discussion), many people find it very helpful,' Krishna said.

Sloan agreed that there is a place for faith in the health-care setting -- but it isn't the doctor's office, he said. Chaplains should be the ones to discuss spiritual issues with patients, he said.

'They don't have dual agendas, they have religious agendas ... they have the experience and time to address patients' religious concerns,' he said.

Villarreal, the Edinburg doctor, agreed that when doctors bring religion into their office, 'there's a line you could potentially cross.' That's why she makes a point of asking patients about their beliefs, and not discussing religion or spirituality with them unless they're comfortable with that terminology.

'It's a private thing to many people, and it's important to ask up front about it,' she said.

Properly used, spirituality is a valuable tool in health care that could improve outcomes for many people, Krishna said.

'It has enormous healing potential,' he said. 'It's a complement for modern medicine, not a replacement.'

Newstex ID: KRTB-0091-18143408


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