Psychological and Spiritual Factors in Chronic Illness

Abstract

Medical treatment of the chronically ill is an art that involves more than the skillful management of physical pathology and more than a charming bedside manner. The art of medicine involves the personal qualities of the physician. These qualities are more often discussed in religious circles than in medical journals or seminars. Psychological and spiritual factors discussed in this article are the inevitability of sickness, old age, and death; the presence of the physician; patience; pain; and hope. Reflection on these spiritual qualities can be helpful to both the chronically ill patient and the physician.