BCHS physician to discuss spirituality and medicine
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| Dr. Kerri Murray |
Religious beliefs and practices are important in the lives of most patients seeking medical care, yet many physicians are uncertain about whether or how to address spiritual or religious issues.
Dr. Kerri Murray, a member of the Battle Creek Health System medical staff, will talk about the many aspects related to Spirituality and Medicine on Wednesday, April 30, at the Burnham Brook Center.
Senior Health Partners in coordination with Battle Creek Health System presents the program as part of its ongoing 'Aging Well' series, which is free to the public, at Burnham Brook. A light luncheon will be served at 11:30 a.m. followed by Dr. Murray's presentation at noon. Seating is limited. Calling Senior Health Partners at (269) 441-0948 can make reservations.
This presentation will discuss the influence of culture and religion on the process of treatment decision-making in the physician-patient encounter. The program will explore two key issues: the meaning of culture and the ways that it can affect treatment decision-making; and religious aspects and the assumptions with underlying development in healing.
Often physicians are trained to diagnose and treat disease and have little or no training in how to relate to the spiritual side of the patient. In addition, the physicians' ethics require that they not impinge their beliefs on patients who can be particularly vulnerable when they present for health care. Complicating it further, in our culture of religious pluralism, there is a wide range of belief systems ranging from atheism, agnosticism, to a myriad of assorted of religions.
"The emphasis on listening to the patient and learning of their beliefs and values as well as the signs and symptoms of illness needs to be important part of the patient - physician dialog and relations," says Dr. Murray. "There must to be a balance between the principle of respect and the appropriate actions designed to safeguard the autonomy of the patient. As physicians we pledge to do no harm, which includes respecting the patients' beliefs. Such respect for patients is a guiding principle of the healing profession and flows from the profession's fundamental ethical commitment in serving the sick and injured."
Senior Health Partners, a collaboration of Battle Creek Health System, Burnham Brook Center, and Summit Pointe, works to expand wellness and educational offerings to senior citizens in Calhoun and surrounding counties. For more information about senior programs, visit the Burnham Brook web site at http://www.burnhambrook.com , or call (269) 441-0948.
About the Presenter:
Kerri Murray, MD received her undergraduate degree in biological chemistry at Wellesley College, Wellesley, Massachusetts. She completed her medical degree at Rush Medical College, Rush Presbyterian - St. Luke's Medical Center, Chicago, Illinois, and her surgical residency and training at Finch University of Health Sciences/Chicago Medical School - Mount Sinai Hospital, Chicago, Illinois. She joined the Battle Creek Health System medical staff in 2004.
Dr. Murray is a board certified general surgeon.
Battle Creek Health System, sponsored by two parent organizations--Trinity Health (the fourth largest Catholic health system in the U.S. with 12 hospitals, 9 nursing homes, 19 senior house facilities, 8 home health care agencies, and 4 hospices in Michigan alone) and BCHS Community Partners, is accredited by the Joint Commission on the Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations. Battle Creek Health System as a recipient of the 2008 HealthGrades Orthopaedic Surgery Excellence Award(tm). HealthGrades is a leading health care information company that provides objective 'report card' ratings nationwide. BCHS provides excellent health care for the community and promotes wellness for the whole person with access and compassion for all. For the latest medical information, visit the BCHS web site at www.bchealth.com or call the BCHS Marketing Department at (269) 966-8132.
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