“WE TREAT, BUT GOD HEALS”: HEALTHCARE PROVIDERS PERCEPTIONS ON FAITH HEALING IN GHANA
Abstract
While the practice of faith healing is common in Ghana, the perspectives of healthcare professionals about the practice is mostly unknown. As such, this study explores the views of Ghanaian healthcare providers about faith healing, the effects the practice has on healthcare delivery and the existing conflicts and (or) collaborations with faith healers. The study employs qualitative research method purposively selecting 13 healthcare providers from different healthcare centres within the Agona West Municipality. In-depth interviews were conducted, and data elicited were thematically analysed. The results indicate that healthcare providers believe in faith healing and the psychological comfort and hope it offers patients. However, the unregulated nature of faith healing practices poses risks, particularly when it leads to the dismissal of vital medical interventions. Healthcare providers themselves also encounter frustration and emotional exhaustion when dealing with patients who prioritize faith over medical treatment. Nonetheless, they recognize the potential for collaboration with faith healers despite the many conflicts that exist between faith healers and themselves. The study underscores the necessity for established referral mechanisms between faith healers and healthcare practitioners, with regulatory frameworks to oversee faith-based healing practices. It emphasizes the significance of cultural sensitivity in healthcare and advocates for the use of spiritual care within clinical environments to improve patient outcomes.