Jk. Neumann et Fv. Leppien, INFLUENCE OF PHYSICIANS RELIGIOUS VALUES ON INSERVICE TRAINING DECISIONS, Journal of psychology and theology, 25(4), 1997, pp. 427-436
Survey responses of board-certified physicians were compared as a func
tion of their self-identification with Liberal Protestant (LP), Conser
vative Protestant (CP), Liberal Catholic (LC), Liberal Jewish (LJ), or
Agnostic (Ag) values. Respondents rated approval/interest to vignette
s describing an inservice which reflected either Evangelical Christian
, Liberal Protestant, Humanist (Hu), or Hindu values. Other items aske
d respondents to provide demographic and religious-value related infor
mation. CPs were generally more approving of all vignettes than LPs, L
Cs, LJs, and Ags. Hu vignettes were more approved than the other 3 vig
nettes. Physicians generally were more approving of vignettes related
to their own values. Ags were least similar to parental values relativ
e to the other 4 groups and less dedicated to their beliefs. CPs may b
e most likely to be accepting of the professional work of others yet l
east likely to have their theistically identified professional activit
ies approved. Methodological issues, the Slippery Slope hypothesis, th
e possible importance of belief in an absolute authority, and professi
onal implications were reviewed.