Journal of Near-Death Studies, volume 13, issue 2
An Assessment of Physicians' Knowledge of and Attitudes Toward the Near-Death Experience
Moore, L. H.
The purpose of this study was to investigate physicians' knowledge of and attitudes toward near-death experiences (NDEs). The study population consisted of 143 staff physicians in the Baptist Memorial Hospital System. Participants completed by mail a modified version of Thornburg's (1988) Near-Death Phenomena Knowledge and Attitudes Questionnaire. Less than one-fourth of the physicians had a well-grounded knowledge base regarding NDEs, while two-thirds had a positive attitude toward NDEs. These data suggest the need for inservice programs for medical and nursing staff regarding near-death phenomena. Further studies assessing physicians' knowledge of and attitudes toward NDEs are recommended utilizing a larger population from a wider geographical region.
