Exploring the Role of Spirituality and Religiosity in Medical Education in Brazil

Spirituality and religiosity play an important role in medical practice, helping patients cope with illness and treatment. Despite this relevance, gaps in medical education persist. This study, conducted in Brazil, evaluated the knowledge acquired during medical school and students' perceptions of the importance of spirituality in patient care and psychological well-being. This cross sectional, quantitative, exploratory study used a self-administered 19-item questionnaire developed by the researchers. A total of 300 medical students from the last two years of a six-year program participated. The sample consisted of 205 women and 95 men, with a mean age of 23.9 ± 3.4 years. Most students (84%) recognized the importance of knowledge about spirituality, yet 93% reported no academic exposure to the topic. Just over half (55.7%) felt comfortable obtaining a patient's spiritual history, while 97% agreed that addressing spirituality enhances the doctor-patient relationship, including cultural beliefs and life purposes. A significant sex difference emerged regarding the importance of assisting patients with relaxation and stress-reduction activities (p = 0.017). An exploratory logistic regression analysis examining the perceived importance of knowledge about spirituality indicated that age, gender, and academic cycle were not significantly associated with the outcome (all p > 0.05). In conclusion, integrating spirituality and religiosity into medical education is essential for strengthening the doctor-patient relationship and improving patient follow-up, contributing to better clinical outcomes.