The ultimate value of life depends upon awareness and contemplation rather than upon mere survival.

-Aristotle

You do not apply your medical knowledge and skills in a vacuum. Decisions related to patient care are informed by values and beliefs – both yours and your patients’. One way to be prepared for those inevitable moments when your beliefs are in conflict with others’ is to be as familiar as possible with what you believe (refer to “How Do You Know That? Epistemology and Health”). This assessment is designed to help you become more familiar with your beliefs related to different Integrative Health-related topics.

Below are 111 questions in 7 different categories. Take the next 20-30 minutes to review and answer them. The more time you spend thinking about your answers, the more rewarding this exercise is likely to be. Consider each statement, and then circle your response on the scale that follows it. If it seems unlikely that you would ever have to answer a given question based on the type of work you do, you can skip it. If you do feel unsure about your stance on something, or you simply do not know your answer, you can just circle “Neutral.”

There are no right or wrong answers; this is primarily a mindful awareness exercise. There is also no expectation that you share your answers with others, unless you wish to do so. The main intent is to provide food for thought and to help you feel more prepared, should real-life circumstances put you in a situation where it is necessary to have clarity about what you believe.

Pay close attention to the feelings the different questions evoke – these may be just as instructive as the answers themselves.

Section I. Beliefs and perspectives that shape your overall practice

1.  I believe there is a place for religion and/or spirituality in my work.

Strongly Agree                        Agree              Neutral             Disagree         Strongly Disagree

2.  My own spiritual and religious views inform how I practice.

Strongly Agree                        Agree              Neutral             Disagree         Strongly Disagree

3.  My patients’ spiritual and religious views shape how I practice.