During the program CNN Vital Signs Dr. Roberto Kalil addressed the possible negative aspects of spirituality and religion in health. Guest experts presented important perspectives on the relationship between spiritual beliefs and medical care.
The interviewee Alexander Moreira Almeida, professor of psychiatry at the Federal University of Juiz de Fora, stressed that, although for the majority of the population, spirituality is positively used, there are cases of negative use. “The person who leaves medical, psychological treatments, because he thinks he has a purely spiritual question,” said Almeida, warning of the risks of this stance.
Almeida also mentioned other problematic behaviors, such as excessive passivity in the face of health problems, justified by spiritual beliefs. “I won’t do anything because my problem is the devil, it is the karma of the past incarnation,” said the psychiatrist, highlighting the importance of a balanced approach.
Integration between medicine and spirituality
The expert defended an integrated view, proposing an “biopsychosocio-spiritual” approach that considers all aspects of the individual. “To affirm the biological part need not deny the spiritual and vice versa,” argued Almeida, emphasizing the need to reconcile different perspectives on health care.
In turn, the second interviewee Wagner Gattaz, professor of psychiatry at the University of São Paulo, highlighted the importance of chaplaincy services in hospital environments. Gattaz argued that providing spiritual support, besides conventional medical care, is crucial to patients’ comfort.
“In Europe, chapelia always offers to the patient with his religion. Would you like to talk to the pastor, would you like to talk to the priest? ”Exemplified Gattaz, suggesting that this practice should be more widespread in Brazil. The psychiatrist concluded by emphasizing that spiritual comfort should be a “mission for all hospitals” as an integral part of health care.
Was this content originally published in Dr. Kalil Debate if there is a negative side of spirituality and religion? on the CNN Brazil website.
Source: CNN Brasil
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