Prayer and rehabilitation

Another study conducted at the Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Sinai Hospital of Baltimore, USA found that religious and spiritual needs of the patients were considered by the patients to be very important in their recovery.
The study undertook to ascertain the patient's pastoral needs and the extent of pastoral services which were provided. After discharge from the inpatient rehabilitation hospital, patients were asked about their perceived religious and spiritual needs, as well as to the extent of religious, spiritual, and pastoral services provided during their inpatient stay.
The majority of the patients (74%) reported their religious and spiritual beliefs were important. Forty-five percent indicated that not enough attention was paid to their religious or spiritual needs, whereas only 1% felt that too much attention was paid. A majority of patients (54%) desired pastoral visitation. Other needs were elicited, including expanded pastoral services, increased staff empathy for the patient's spiritual and religious needs, and improved availability of church or synagogue services or sacraments.
Many Jewish patients reported concerns of being punished by God, whereas Christian patients were concerned that God was unaware of their personal needs. Some responders, regardless of personal faith, were also troubled with fears of death, God's failure to heal, and loss of purpose in life.
The researchers found that religious beliefs were important factors in helping the patients cope with their health problems, and that there was a clear need to establish a mechanism to identify the religious and spiritual needs of each individual patient. These needs must be considered with both sensitivity and compassion by all members of the rehabilitation staff.