[Spirituality, religiosity, and health].

Abstract

After providing a working definition of spirituality, religion, and religiosity, a medical practitioner's view on spirituality and religion in patient care is presented, including negative and positive effects as well as challenges for the practitioner. After discussing some pertinent clinical findings, evidence is introduced to the effect that spiritual well-being rather than religious practice as such is the beneficial cause. When and where to bring in spirituality/religion in patient care, together with a discussion what to expect and why, is next. There follow some considerations on mind/spirit over mind and over matter, and on the measurement of spirituality and religiosity. Finally, it is concluded that the medical science of healing should deal with the body and the mind/spirit as a whole.