Survey indicates psychiatrists are least religious physicians. The New York Times (9/18, F7, Bakalar) reports, "Of all medical specialties, psychiatrists are the least religious," and the "most religious doctors are the least likely to refer their patients to psychiatrists," according to a study published in the September issue of Psychiatric Services. Farr A. Curlin, M.D., of the University of Chicago, and colleagues, surveyed 100 psychiatrists and 1,044 other specialists about their own beliefs and
"attitudes toward religion in clinical practice." They found that although psychiatrists "were just as likely as other physicians to report that religious beliefs influenced their practice," only "29 percent of psychiatrists, compared with 47 percent of other doctors, said they attended religious services more than once a month." Just 42 percent of psychiatrists and 53 percent of other physicians "described themselves as religious or spiritual." The study also found that most physicians "would refer a patient to a psychiatrist for emotional problems." However, "Protestants were about half as likely as those with no religious affiliation to do so, preferring clergy or other religious counselors."
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