Religiousness in hospitals

The aim of the present study was to review the literature about religiousness within hospitals. The method οf this study included bibliography research from both the review and the research literature, in the "pubmed data base" which referred to the religiousness within hospitals. Results : According to the literature research an administrative institution, such as hospital does not include only one culture but on the contrary many different cultures that interact since health professionals have their own background. Hospital as a place of special care, that has its' own culture, is expected to fulfill patients' needs (family, social, occupational), health and disease. Faith is encouraged in hospitals where the icons and Christian churches are prevalent, while faith individuals express their deeper need for pray. The tendency of religious individuals to ask for an upper support mainly in difficult circumstances such as for recovery in the clinical environment is deeply rooted in its' soul and consists an element of its' nature. Conclusions: In contemporary Greek reality, medical science has always had at the practice a great charity: religion.

Keywords: Hospital, culture, religiousness