Letters to the Editor - Nov. 12, 2007

Religious needs are important element of an effective treatment plan

Regarding "Psychiatrists are least likely physicians to turn to God" (AMNews, Oct. 8): I am a general internist in a multispecialty group model and have noticed from my firsthand experience a significant difference in referrals to clergy and to psychiatrists.

Patients whom I refer to their respective clergy tend to have a better outcome and social integration than those who are sent to a psychiatrist (with or without getting a psychological referral).

A recent Barna Group Poll found that a third of teenagers attending church did so to be encouraged or inspired.

The clergy tend to incorporate a more wholesome and global counseling strategy that addresses their whole being (mind, body and spirit), and is more attuned to their belief system. Psychiatrists tend to ignore the depth of the latter.

It does appear that our medical profession fails to address the spirit portion of our bodies (possibly from lack of identifying an exact anatomical location).

I think we have failed to apply the whole biopsychosocial model (George Engel, MD, 1977) to our patients and therefore perhaps see psychiatric health not reaching its full potential. Incorporating the religious needs into the treatment plan is our only hope of correcting this situation.

--Neil A. Louwrens, MD, Cody, Wyo.

Back to top.