Most physicians say religion and spirituality have a significant impact on health, according to a new study, while just 6 percent of doctors believe religion or spirituality changed “hard” medical outcomes.

The survey, part of a University of Chicago study published by The Archives of Internal Medicine, showed that more than half (54 percent) of doctors said “God or another supernatural being” can intervene in a patient’s health.

The questionnaire asked medical professionals to estimate how often their patients mention religion and spirituality issues, how much those factors influence health, and how that influence is manifested.

“Consensus seems to begin and end with the idea that many, if not most, patients draw on prayer and other religious resources to navigate and overcome the spiritual challenges that arise in their experiences with illness,” Dr. Farr A. Curlin, Dr. John D. Lantos, Dr. Marshall H. Chin and Sarah Sellergren wrote in the Archives publication.
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