Medicine and spirituality: a simple path to restore compassion in medicine

Medical science has achieved impressive accomplishments in the diagnosis and treatment of human disease. However, the emphasis on science and technology has created a generation of physicians who find it difficult to relate to their patients about their suffering. Time constraints and economic pressures also add to the challenge of giving meaningful time to patients. Patients want to talk to their physician about their concerns, but surveys indicate that this is not being accomplished. Medical educators are developing curricula to teach how care can be given compassionately. This article reviews the importance of addressing spiritual care in medicine. Spirituality is defined and the spiritual history is explained. Research on the role of spirituality in health care is also reviewed. The role of the physician as a healer, attending to mind, body and spirit is encouraged.