Date of Award
12-2007
Degree Name
Master of Arts
Department
Comparative Religion
First Advisor
Dr. Stephen G. Covell
Second Advisor
Dr. David Ede
Third Advisor
Dr. Paul Copp
Access Setting
Masters Thesis-Campus Only
Abstract
The Joint Commission on Hospital Accreditation requires that spiritual care needs be addressed as a part of patient care. As support of religious coping becomes a part of providing medical care and clinical training, evidence as to the theoretical and causal mechanisms of health status improvement in relation to religious belief, must be determined. Additionally, multiple cultural and religious worldviews must be taken into account in patient care and clinical training as well.
This literature review outlines: 1) the demographic trends that will impact the provision of health care to religiously diverse populations, 2) the possible mechanisms involved in the effect of religious belief on health outcomes, and 3) whether those mechanisms can be differentiated from social and psychological theories regarding the determinants of health. The remainder of the paper describes the historical, cultural and religious foundations for provision of care to populations who have ethnic, cultural and religious ties to Japanese, Chinese, Afro-Caribbean and Islamic culture, world review and religious belief Each chapter also includes discussion regarding the impact on patient care and health outcomes where religious belief is not accommodated.
Recommended Citation
Visscher, Cindy, "The Impact of Religious Belief on Health Status: Translating History, Culture and Religion into Successful Patient Outcomes" (2007). Masters Theses. 3615.
https://scholarworks.wmich.edu/masters_theses/3615