To the Editor: The recent articles about spirituality and health1,2 provide a welcome discussion about the very soul of medicine as well as the soul of the individual healthcare practitioner. If spirituality is "whatever is left over when the doctor, social worker, psychologist, community education officer or psychiatrist have had a go",3 then indeed spiritual questions should be left to the particular expert on that fragment of the person.
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- 1. Peach HG. Religion, spirituality and health: how should Australia's medical professionals respond? Med J Aust 2003; 178: 86-88. <MJA full text>
- 2. Koenig HG. Religion, spirituality and health: an American physician's response [editorial]. Med J Aust 2003; 178: 51-52. <MJA full text>
- 3. Sherlock C. The doctrine of humanity. Leicester: Inter-Varsity Press, 1996; 222.
- 4. Gijsbers AJ. Science and spirituality: enemies or allies in the delivery of health care? Luke's Journal Supplement 2002; August. Available at: http://www.cmdfa.org.au/lukes/2002sciencespirit.html (accessed Jan 2003).
- 5. Van der Weyden M. Taking time out [From the Editor's desk]. Med J Aust 2003; 178: 49. <MJA full text>