well being and health. Concepts such as optimism, faith, social support and love (the core components of religious belief and practice) are increasingly recognized as impacting upon health and illness. Such aspects of care also impact upon the ways in which patients may respond to treatment. Schwartz (4) stated that it seems possible that the resolution of apparent differences n lay and scientific concepts of spirituality could further assist in the development of a more integrated approach to conventional and alternative medicine. Indeed, it could be argued that Western traditional medicine has much to learn from so-called "alternative" medical systems, particularly in terms of the mind-body connection and the influence of spirituality and belief systems on health and response to treatment.
The purpose of this study is not, however, to offer an in-depth explanation of alternative medicine or the effects of spiritual belief and value systems on response to (or access to) health care. It is sufficient, as Hoeger and Hoeger (3) note, to recognize th
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