Poll: 57% of Americans say God can revive the dying [View All]

[Newsjock]

Source: Associated Press

When it comes to saving lives, God trumps doctors for many Americans. An eye-opening survey reveals widespread belief that divine intervention can revive dying patients. And, researchers said, doctors "need to be prepared to deal with families who are waiting for a miracle."

More than half of randomly surveyed adults — 57 per cent — said God's intervention could save a family member even if physicians declared treatment would be futile. And nearly three-quarters said patients have a right to demand such treatment.

When asked to imagine their own relatives being gravely ill or injured, nearly 20 per cent of doctors and other medical workers said God could reverse a hopeless outcome.

... The survey, which appears in Monday's Archives of Surgery, ... involved 1,000 U.S. adults randomly selected to answer questions by telephone about their views on end-of-life medical care. They were surveyed in 2005, along with 774 doctors, nurses and other medical workers who responded to mailed questions.

Read more: http://www.cbc.ca/health/story/2008/08/18/divine-trauma.html