Religion, spirituality and medicine

Religion, spirituality, health and medicine have a common root in the framework of the relationship among humans, Nature and God. There has always been considerable interest in understanding the interaction between religion, spirituality, health and medicine. In spite of some methodological limitations, many published experimental studies indicate that religious involvement - taking part in religious rituals - results in better physical and psychological health. Facing the disease and inability, a significant number of patients demand that physicians and healers pay attention to their current and spirituality needs. The recent interest in the interaction between religion and spirituality with health and medicine has considerable implications for Iranian society. Religion and spirituality have distinguishing features in the Iranian people, so Iranian physicians should pay attention to religious issues and satisfy their patients’ spiritual needs. Integration of religion and spirituality in health and medicine goes beyond making medicine more ethical and compassionately, which provides new opportunities for learning more about other traditional medical systems and gaining a more in-depth understanding regarding the collaborative interaction between different medical systems. Furthermore, physicians can find religion and spirituality essential and rewarding in their professional activities.