International Journal of Education and Research Vol. 2 No. 4 April 2014 1 INFLUENCE OF RELIGIOUS BELIEFS ON HEALTHCARE PRACTICE Akpenpuun Joyce Rumun Faculty of Social Sciences, Benue State University, Makurdi, Benue State, Nigeria E-Mail: jrumun@gmail.com ABSTRACT The perceived role of God in illness and recovery is a primary influence upon the health care beliefs and behaviours of people. The religious beliefs of the people result in many health care beliefs and practices which are significantly different based on the persons religion. Only by understanding the religious beliefs of individuals can medical practitioners effectively meet the health care needs of patients of diverse religious beliefs. This paper seeks to discuss the various religions that people affiliate with and the beliefs and practices of such religions towards various health issues. This will enhance the knowledge of the society in general and the medical practitioners in understanding how religion and spirituality are felt, lived, and experienced by the people. This would help professionals release the old stereotypes and prejudices that they have about certain religious beliefs and practices. The religious freedom of the patients would not be infringed upon before, during and after treatment. KEYWORDS: Beliefs, Healthcare, Practice, Religion, Spirituality, Healing 1.1 INTRODUCTION The purpose of this article is to consider the relationship between religion and healthcare in order to suggest how physicians and other health care providers should respond when the faith-based preference of a patient clashes with the medically indicated treatment modalities. The patient and practitioner really need to understand each other's vantage point. In a nutshell, the patient knows that the doctor certainly intends what is best but the patient does not believe that "the doctor knows best" in this instance. Only God does. The doctor can clearly spell out what the symptoms mean, what test results show, and what medicine indicates by way of treatment and the patient understands this. Religion is a subject that we encounter daily, because we follow a specific faith and the rules established by it. Religion is not only “researchable,” but it is also of essential interest to clinicians, doctors, patients and health psychologists. Religion has the benefit of empowering the individual through connecting him/her to a community, and to a superior force, that might in turn give psychological stability (Basu-Zharku, 2011). This ability to empower could be used by health workers to help those who struggle with a disease or to promote a healthier lifestyle. This empowering happens through consciousness of religious principles, such as the sanctity of human life, shared identity, meaningful roles in the community and society at large, a variety of spiritual, social and economic support, social networks, and even leadership for social change and protection in time of conflicts. The field of health sociology at large should move towards promoting culture as a means of understanding between health care providers and patients and in the interest of prevention, as well.