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This study aims to investigate the opinions, knowledge and attitudes concerning spirituality, religiosity and health among 75 health MSc graduates from a Spanish university. The questionnaire "Religion and Spirituality in Medicine, Perspectives of Physicians" was used. Most students had low levels of religious activities, agreeing that S/R could have a high influence on the health professional–patient relationship (62.6%). Nevertheless, they felt little prepared to address these issues (90.6%) and believed that universities were not providing enough information on this topic (91.9%). The most common barriers for addressing R/S were insufficient time (34.7%) and fear of offending the patients (31.9%). Nurse students tended to believe more on the influence of R/S on patients' health and on the appropriateness of addressing R/S issues. However, religious beliefs were not associated with students' R/S opinions. The incorporation of such topic could potentially promote the spiritual sensitivity of health professionals, improving the holistic care. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The objective of this study is to know the influence of religious/spiritual elements on the adherence to pharmacological therapy. The descriptors used for this literature review were “medicine, medication, drug, or treatment,” “adherence to treatment,” and “religion or spirituality or faith or prayer” in different databases (CINAHL, PsycINFO, PubMed). Finally, 23 articles were selected. Articles available in full text, published between 2010 and 2017, in English or Spanish were included. The results showed that some studies relate positively the R/S and therapeutic adherence, but others determine an opposite or even mixed effect, mainly addressing pathologies such as HIV and other chronic diseases. The influence of religiosity/spirituality on therapeutic adherence requires that health professionals acquire sensitivity and competence to address these issues with their patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]