Barriers to Physician and Patient Prayer

SUMMARY: Spirituality and religion (S/R) are important components of whole-person-centered care, and their positive association with physical health is well-documented. Given the prevalence of exposure and size of effect, religious participation can be considered a powerful social determinant of health. Prayer is the most common spiritual practice among patients facing illness. Positive health outcomes linked to prayer include improved pain, depression, and anxiety. As the severity of illnesses increases, patients’ desire for physician-led prayer likewise increases. There is a growing interest in understanding the role and effects of prayer in healthcare and the physician’s role in this practice. However, there is a paucity of research to guide best practices for physician and patient prayer. Research on why physicians choose to pray or not pray with their patients is limited. This talk will explore factors that may prevent physicians from offering to pray with their patients. PRESENTER: Andre M. Cipta, MD, FAAHPM, is an Associate Professor of Clinical Science at the Kaiser Permanente Bernard J. Tyson School of Medicine. He serves as Emeritus Program Director of the Hospice and Palliative Medicine Fellowship, Founding Director of the Palliative Medicine Subspecialty Clerkship, and Associate Hospice Medical Director. Dr. Cipta’s work focuses on exploring the relationship between spirituality and health, developing novel training models, and leveraging emerging technologies to advance next-generation empathy training. His work has received national recognition, including the Hastings Center Cunniff-Dixon Physician Award for Exemplary End-of-Life Care, the American Academy of Hospice and Palliative Medicine Leadership Scholar Award, the Christian Academic Physicians and Scientists Faith and Medicine Research Fellowship Award, and designation as a Fellow of the American Academy of Hospice and Palliative Medicine. He serves as Principal Investigator for a research study examining barriers to physician and patient prayer.