Survey: Doctors See Faith, Health Link

Most family physicians believe that religious convictions can help heal, according to a survey. The survey of 269 family doctors, conducted by Yankelovich Partners at a meeting of the American Academy of Family Physicians, found that 99% of those asked said religion could make people healthier. About 91% of the doctors surveyed reported having patients who sought the aid of a spiritual leader, such as a rabbi, priest or minister, to help with their medical problem. The survey’s results are to be released as part of a conference on Spirituality and Healing at Harvard Medical School.