Spirituality and patient care

ATLANTA, Georgia (CNN) - As patients with terminal cancer near the end of their life, a multitude of variables could affect the treatment they choose to receive, from physician recommendations to insurance coverage.

One new study reveals that religion may have an important impact as well.

To better understand the effects religion might have on these patients' medical care, dr.
holly prigerson of the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and her colleague, Dr. Andrea Phelps of Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, led a team studying the treatment of 345 patients with advanced cancer, following up with them until
their death.

Haley Weldon has more on spirituality and its relationship with patient care.