Four Years Later Majority of Physicians Still Believe in Miracles
Views on Religious Beliefs are Slightly Less Positive in 2008

Flemington, NJ, December 9, 2008 – The results of two national studies conducted within a four-year period among physicians revealed that while a clear majority of physicians still believe in miracles, their views on religious beliefs are slightly less positive today.

The two studies were conducted by HCD Research in December 2004 among 1,100 physicians, and this past weekend among 1,134 physicians to obtain their perceptions of faith, prayer and miracles in the medical field as well as their everyday lives. To view detailed results go to: www.mediacurves.com

Might the rapidly changing social and economic environment have some effect on physicians’ religious beliefs?  Yes and no. Four years ago and now, most physicians believe that religion is a necessary guide to life and the majority believes in miracles. In fact, a significant number believe that the outcome of some medical treatments can’t be explained by science.  A third believes that the miracles in religious texts are really true.  And over half sometimes pray for individual patients while many think prayer is important in everyday life.

However, religious beliefs are slightly less positive now than four years ago.  In the table above (and in other areas of the research) fewer doctors in 2008 answered five of these six questions less positively than in 2004. There was no decline among physicians who reported praying for a patient (55%).  Although there was a significant drop in thinking that prayer fits into normal life 46% to 30%.  All the other responses were slightly lower in 2008 than in 2004.  While those individual differences are not significant, the pattern of decline is significant.

The results of the studies can not provide a direct answer for the pattern of decline, however; it is possible to make an informed guess.  First, the world in 2008 is different and more challenging than it was in 2004.  When times are tough, people may have a greater tendency to cling to religion?  However, in a profession that depends on skill and knowledge in a very competitive world professionals (even doctors) must turn inward and rely on skills and self-worth to survive.

Another possibility is the change in structure of medicine itself.  With more physicians working for organizations or constrained by HMOs, fewer may look to religion in those secular organizations.  Rather, the attention is focused on budgets and the safety in organizational limits.

Can the differences be the result of different samples of physicians?  Not likely. The 2004 and 2008 samples were carefully drawn to represent the total population of physicians.  There is not enough difference in the number of younger or Jewish doctors (tending to be more liberal) to explain these differences.

Will the decline in religious beliefs persist into the future?  Probably, due to the influx of younger doctors, the overall decline in religious beliefs and belief in miracles as they will be more knowledgeable and “scientific.”
The Media Curves web site provides the media and general public with a venue to view Americans’ perceptions of popular and controversial media events and advertisements.

Editors/Reporters: For more information on the study, or to speak with Glenn Kessler, president and CEO, HCD Research or John McNeill, pastor, Fairport United Methodist Church,  please contact Vince McGourty, HCD Research, at (908) 483-9121 or (vince.mcgourty@hcdi.net).

HCD Research is a communications research company headquartered in Flemington, NJ.  The company's services include traditional and web-based communications research.  For additional information on HCD Research, access the company’s web site at www.hcdi.net or call HCD Research at 908-788-9393.

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