Prayer Before Surgery

[orscrubcutie1]

I work in a religiously-affiliated hospital institution and I really like that we say a prayer as a surgical team and invite the patient to participate (if so desired). I really like this small, but meaningful part of our pre-timeout processes, especially after a D.O.T, knowing we did this before the case. Does anyone else have experience with formal prayer with a surgical team and how did you feel about it?

[Rose_Queen, BSN, MSN, RN]

I do not have experience with formal prayer as a surgical team, nor would I want that experience. To me, religion is something that should be kept private and out of the workplace. I understand religiously-afffiliated hospitals do emphasize religion, but being of that religion is not a requirement to work there or to be a patient there. I think that praying with the patient awake also borders on infringing the patient's rights. What if they are too uncomfortable to say no?

[chrisrn24]

I do not have experience with formal prayer as a surgical team nor would I want that experience. To me, religion is something that should be kept private and out of the workplace. I understand religiously-afffiliated hospitals do emphasize religion, but being of that religion is not a requirement to work there or to be a patient there. I think that praying with the patient awake also borders on infringing the patient's rights. What if they are too uncomfortable to say no?[/quote']

I agree. I think it should be patient guided care. I would not want a prayer. If they want to pray after I'm under anesthesia so be it, but I would not want it while I'm awake.

[ORoxyO]

I agree with the above two posters. I would not want to participate in a team prayer nor would I want to force that on a patient.

I have, however, prayed with a patient/patient family before surgery if they ask. I'm not a religious person but if my participation makes them feel better I can hold hands and bow my head for them any time.

[orscrubcutie1]

Just to make it clear. We do not force prayer on any patient or surgical team member. It is at-will and only done pre time-out if the patient has formally consented. I just wanted to gauge the temperature of such a practice as I find it a refreshing and inspiring way to start off a case (major ones with high M&M especially).

[springchick1, ADN, RN]

We have a surgeon who prays with every single patient when he goes in to see them before they are taken to the OR. He always asks the patient and their family for permission before he does it. I think it's great.

[elkpark]

I agree with the concern about the client "consent," and this illustrates the power imbalance inherent in professional helping relationships. Regardless of how they may feel about it personally, how many people are going to feel comfortable saying no to the surgeon who is about to operate on them?? If people really feel that they want to pray, what's wrong with doing it silently or privately, instead of making a production out of it? Jesus himself, in the Bible, advised his followers that, when they pray, they should go into their room, close the door, and pray privately, and not make a public display of their piety.

[Esme12, ASN, BSN, RN]

As the OP stated.....they work for a religious organization. In being a patient there would be the expectation that religion would be present. I find nothing at all wrong with this practice. I worked for a catholic hospital for years....I loved hearing morning prayer and that feeling of peace that it somehow gave me, the ever present presence of the calming nuns, having Father reside in the building and that mass will be celebrated in the Chapel at 8am.

In the presence of political correctness...sadly...they stopped this a few years ago. Although I am not deeply religious, I have faith. I missed that ever presence of peace hearing the morning prayer by sister that it somehow gave me. It made me smile to hear her voice.

I understand the "respect of others beliefs" but what about mine?

Even if I wasn't a "believer" if the MD felt it helped him be his best...then by all means...pray.

Is it right in the exercise of ones "rights" to step on the rights of another?

[chrisrn24]

I have no problem with prayer, but as above posters said, many people think doctors and surgeons are God and feel bad saying no to them, even if its something we disagree with.

I too work at a religious organization. When I was hired I was told you can participate as much or as little as you want in religion.

[chrisrn24]

To add on, at my work I "tell" patients and their family that we have prayer services if wanted. Then I leave it up to the family/ patient to decide if they want a prayer - I will tell them "let me know if that is something you want." And then I leave the room so they can talk privately. And that is the only time I mention it - if they don't bring it up again I drop it. For every person who accepts there is one who says "no thanks, we aren't religious."

I think that is a good policy.

[HappyWife77, BSN, RN]

I have had patients tell me after they are post op...that the surgeon prayed with them and they really seem to feel good about it. I am Christian and believe in power of prayer. Not everyone wants it which is fine, but the ones who do are appreciative.

[NurseGirl525, ASN, RN]

This would make me highly uncomfortable. My religion is my business and however I feel about God should not pertain to how I work or my work ethic. I would feel pressured to participate because I would think I would be frowned upon if I didn't. I have my own feelings about religion at this time and those may change over the years as they have changed much since growing up and attending church every weekend and being a major part of my church. I just think that is a bit over the top and I'm wondering if patients are just consenting because they don't feel comfortable enough to say no.