Is There Such a Thing as Theological Medicine?

The idea that science must be understood in existential contradiction to religion and even theology is more of a conviction than a philosophical or experiential necessity. Indeed, we may now propose "Theological Medicine" as a new terminology for a perennial reality: that most physicians, health care providers, patients, and their caretakers experience the reality of illness within a theological framework, at least for those who have some degree of spiritual or religious belief. Developing a curriculum in Theological Medicine could develop a mechanism to offer appropriate training to healthcare providers. Such a course would have to be created and delivered by experienced physicians and nursing staff, spiritual advisors, clergy representatives such as pastors or priests from different churches or faith communities, bioethicists, psychologists, social workers, psychotherapists, patient support group members, members of institutional review boards, researchers, and even legal advisors, if available. Continuing professional education requirements also create an opportunity to introduce and evaluate competency in theological medicine, an emerging discipline that could add significant value to the lived experience of medical practice which remains based on the uniquely rich relationship between physician and patient.

Quo Vadis, Dottore? Religious, Philosophical and Medical Perspectives on the Quest for Immortality.

In the daily practice of medicine, health care providers oftentimes confront the dilemma of offering 'maximum care' based on available technologies and advances versus ethical concerns about futility. Regardless of cultural backgrounds and differences, most human beings aspire to an illness-free life, or better yet, a life lived with utmost quality and longevity. On account on ongoing advances in science and technology, the possibility of achieving "immortality" (a term used as a metaphor for an extremely long and disease-free life) is increasingly perceived as a realistic goal, which is aggressively pursued by some of the world's wealthiest individuals and corporations. However, this quest is not taking place in a philosophical or religious vacuum, which is why we attempt to evaluate the current state of knowledge on religious beliefs revolving around immortality and their alignments with today's medical advancements. The literature searches were performed using relevant databases including JSTOR and PubMed, as well as primary religious sources. Most religions present longevity as a blessing and believe in some sort of immortality, afterlife or reincarnation for the immortal soul. The quest for immortality beyond life in a "body of death" remains consistent with access to medical care and the legitimate possibility of achieving longevity-as long as certain ethical and religious parameters are preserved.