<p></p>
<p>Early in life, I discovered the importance and the relationship between health and performance.</p>
<p>While in the military, I worked in a chapel located where all new recruits in that region were sent to do basic training. As the chaplain’s assistant, I saw their loneliness first hand and often discussed the importance of prayer with them. Fear of the unknown, the missing friends and family left them physically unable to serve; upon medical diagnosis many were directed to report to what the military calls “sick bay”.</p>
<p>I soon discovered that their lack of “mental peace” was creating their physical illness. As a result, the recruits were not able to physically perform to the standard expected by the military. It was apparent that their symptoms were being treated but not the root cause, which was mental and emotional. Once the mental and emotional issues were addressed, the physical symptoms disappeared and they returned to duty.</p>
<p>Based upon my experience, health screening must include more than a physical exam.</p>
<p>What I found interesting is that in an article, “Doctors asked to consider loneliness in health assessment,” author Carolyne Kruppa stated that an Archives of Internal Medicine study published June 18 urged physicians to screen for loneliness. (<a href="http://www.ama-assn.org/amednews/2012/07/02/hlsa0702.htm">http://www.am…;) By screening for loneliness, the medical community may be stretching beyond their normal role. Dr. Pacala, associate professor and associate head of the Department of Family Medicine and Community Health at the University of Minnesota Medical School picks up on this when he states, “Loneliness is less of a medical type of concept. I just think it doesn’t enter the medical mindset.” These reports indicate that loneliness may be a health factor but the medical profession is not equipped to diagnose and treat it.</p>
<p>My military experience tells me that treating loneliness is essential, and that it should be added to a list of medical screening items, which need to be considered when evaluating patients. And the treatment should include alternative therapies—one of which is prayer.</p>
<p>An NIH study I recently read found that prayer was a factor in improved health (<a href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15895540">http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.go…;). “Those who pray had more favorable health-related behaviors, preventive service use, and satisfaction with care. Discussion of prayer could help guide customization of clinical care.” In the study, 47.2% of the people in the study said that they prayed for health and 90.3% of that group of people believed that prayer improved their health. Those people who prayed also showed more social support than those who did not pray. This support may very well counteract conditions of loneliness and enhance performance.</p>
<p>Pew research indicates that most individuals believe in prayer and do pray. (<a href="http://pewresearch.org/databank/dailynumber/?NumberID=310">http://pewre…;) An early Christian writer, Mary Baker Eddy, spoke of loneliness as doubt, darkness a wilderness time in one’s experience. (<a href="http://christian science.com/prayer-and-health-the-bible-and-science-and-health/science-and-health">http://christian science.com/prayer-and-health-the-bible-and-science-and-health/science-and-health</a>). It would seem from the research that many physicians are not interested in, or equipped to treat or diagnose loneliness, and that it could best be addressed by alternative therapies—especially prayer in which the public has expressed confidence and survey results have indicated improved health performance.</p>