Medical schools are adding courses on spirituality and health, and training residents to consider patients' spiritual needs.

WSJ: Hospital Chaplains Seek Bigger Roles on Patient Medical Teams

Chaplains "are patients' greatest advocates, " says Harold Koenig, director of Duke University's Center for Spirituality, Theology and Health.

WSJ: Hospital Chaplains Seek Bigger Roles on Patient Medical Teams

"If somebody is anxious and upset and stressed, they're just not going to heal as quickly, " said Dr. Harold Koenig, director of the Center for Spirituality, Theology and Health at Duke University.

CNN: Family counters flesh-eating bacteria with faith

Not all studies have shown such dramatic results, and spirituality is not a guarantee of good health.

CNN: Family counters flesh-eating bacteria with faith

And there is much debate about the health benefits of vitamin supplements, organic food and alternative medicines, let alone different forms of spirituality.

ECONOMIST: Health consumerism