Introduction
Religion has crucial importance and strong roots in healthcare. As long as the person and his interests are at the center of treatment, every doctor is essentially a theologian. The methods of medicine are based on theological beliefs such as hospitality, the impossibility of healing the body without the soul, and medicine as a divine gift as life and the human body.
Discussion
The current generally accepted view in medicine is that physicians apply knowledge of religion and spirituality only when working with religious patients. This process is getting more profound as medicine shifts towards an individual-centered approach (Lasair, 2020). However, observations of practical work show that the penetration of religion into medicine is much deeper. Doctors and nurses use religious practices much more often than even they themselves think.
Today, instead of trying to separate spirituality from medicine, it is time to recognize that they are inseparable. Medicine providers should study theology to understand their patients and their profession’s ethical and moral principles. Knowledge of theology can be essential in decision-making, primarily if these decisions are related to new technologies such as transplantation and resuscitation (Eberly & Frush, 2019). The technical excellence of medical approaches poses new ethical and moral challenges to healthcare and society.
Conclusion
Theology has a unique ability to reformulate and critically examine the technological and biomedical understanding of healthcare. The results of such research may lead to new approaches that will enrich and expand medical practice. Ultimately, every patient wants their quality of life not to suffer from their state of health. Thus, the goal of medical providers is much deeper than just saving the body; first, it is about the well-being of patients, about relieving them of suffering.
References
Eberly Jr, J. B., & Frush, B. W. (2019). Doing theology in medical decision-making. Journal of Medical Ethics, 45(11), 718-719. Web.
Lasair, S. (2020). A narrative approach to spirituality and spiritual care in health care. Journal of Religion and Health, 59, 1524-1540. Web.