The role of religion, faith and sprituality in healing

What do you think is the proper role of religion and spirituality in health care?

Would you have a problem if your doctor decided to pray for you instead of diagnosing and treating your illness? Do you only look to religion and faith when modern medical science fails to provide answers and relief?

Well, there is growing evidence that many patients with major illnesses have better outcomes when hospital care is combined with spiritual car.

However, researchers say there is also evidence of costly conflict between religious beliefs and practices, and orthodox medical interventions.

Should healthcare practitioners actively encourage and support their patients' diverse religious beliefs and practices without 'hypocrisy'? Or would this compromise their objectivity and scientific efficiency.

The WHO definition of health also includes spiritual health but ironically, healthcare systems place relatively less emphasis on this. Are we missing an essential ingredient in the recipe?

Where do you stand?
Join the host, Nortey Dua on Joy FM's Ultimate Health programme, Tuesday at 2:15pm as he seeks answers pertaining this issue from his guest.