Table 1.
Questionnaire items used to assess 4-D of physicians' beliefs and practices regarding religion/spirituality in the clinical encounter
| Dimension 1: God actively intervenes in patient's health | α = 0.62 |
| 1. Do you think God or another supernatural being ever intervenes in patients' health? | |
| 2. Considering your experience, how often do you think religion/spirituality helps to prevent “hard” medical outcomes like heart attacks, infections, or even death? | |
| 3. When religious/spiritual issues come up in discussions with patients, how often do you pray with the patient? | |
| Dimension 2: R/S is beneficial for a patient's mental health | α = 0.79 |
| 1. Considering your experience, how often do you think religion/spirituality: | |
| a. Helps patients to cope with and endure illness and suffering? | |
| b. Gives patients a positive, hopeful state of mind? | |
| Dimension 3: physician inquires about R/S in the clinical encounter | α = 0.91 |
| 1. In general, is it appropriate or inappropriate for a physician to inquire about a patient's religion/spirituality? | |
| 2. I enjoy discussing religious/spiritual issues with patients | |
| 3. In the following clinical situations, how often do you inquire about religious/spiritual issues with a patient: | |
| a. Presents with a minor injury or illness? | |
| b. Faces a frightening diagnosis or crisis? | |
| c. Faces the end of life? | |
| d. Suffers from anxiety or depression? | |
| e. Comes for a history and physical? | |
| f. Faces an ethical quandary? | |
| Dimension 4: physician discusses R/S in the clinical encounter | α = 0.78 |
| 1. In general, is it appropriate or inappropriate for a physician to discuss religious/spiritual issues when a patient brings them up? | |
| 2. When, if ever, is it appropriate for a physician to talk about his or her own religious beliefs or experiences with a patient? | |
| 3. When, if ever, is it appropriate for a physician to pray with a patient? | |
| 4. I would feel comfortable discussing a patient's religious/spiritual concerns if the patient brought them up | |
| 5. When religious/spiritual issues come up in discussions with patients, how often do you respond in the following ways? | |
| a. I listen carefully and empathetically | |
| b. I try to change the subject in a tactful way | |
| c. I encourage patients in their own religious/spiritual beliefs and practices | |
| d. I respectfully share my own religious ideas and experiences |
All responses have been scaled from 0 to 4 (0 low, 4 high)