Student religiosity and attitudes toward religion in medicine at a privateCatholic medical school

Background and Objectives: This study examined attitudes of medical student s at a private Catholic medical school toward religion in medical education and practice and the relationship of these attitudes to medical student re ligiosity. Methods: Surveys were mailed to first- and second-year medical s tudents nt Saint Louis University. The survey concerned attitudes about the integration of religious issues into the medical school curriculum and cli nical practice and the personal importance of religion in the student's lif e (ie, religiosity). Results: The response rate was 61% (188/308). Nearly h alf of the students supported the introduction of religious studies into th e medical curriculum, primarily through electives and modeling during clini cal clerkships. Students with a higher level of personal religiosity were m om likely, to advocate training and participation in religious inquiry and behavior in the medical clinic. Conclusions: A significant minority of medi cal students at this Catholic university supported attention to religious i ssues in the medical school curriculum. The percentage might be lower at me dical schools with no religious affiliation. The data indicate that student s' religiosity is associated with their support for religious inquiry with patients and for the inclusion of religious issues in the medical school cu rriculum.