Near-Death Experiences in a Multi-religious Hospital Population in Sri Lanka.
Miyuru Chandradasa, Chamara Wijesinghe, K A L A Kuruppuarachchi, Mahendra Perera
Journal of Religion and Health October 1, 2018 DOI: 10.1007/s10943-017-0442-9 (opens in new tab) via PubMed
Summary
AI-generated from the abstractAbout 3% of a random sample of 826 patients admitted to a general hospital in Sri Lanka reported having had a near-death experience (NDE). Those who reported NDEs were on average older and more often male, though women described deeper experiences. Patients from theistic religions (Christianity, Islam, Hinduism) reported NDEs significantly more often than those from the non-theistic Buddhist group. The NDE-positive group also more frequently felt they were about to die, had loss of consciousness, and were internal medicine patients. This is the first assessment of NDEs in a general hospital population and the first report from Sri Lanka, noting a novel link between theistic belief and NDE reporting.
Study at a glance
| Characteristics | Cross-sectional study Randomized Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 826 |
| Population | Patients admitted to Colombo North Teaching Hospital, Sri Lanka |
| Topics | Near-death experience |
| Keywords | General hospital Occurrence Religion Sri lanka |
| Key finding | 3% of general hospital patients reported NDEs, and theistic religious belief was associated with higher NDE reporting than non-theistic belief. |
Abstract
Near-death experiences (NDEs) are a wide range of experiences that occur in association with impending death. There are no published studies on NDEs in general hospital populations, and studies have been mainly conducted on critically ill patients. We assessed the prevalence of NDEs and its associations in a multi-religious population in a general hospital in Sri Lanka. A randomised sample of patients admitted to the Colombo North Teaching Hospital was assessed using the Greyson NDE scale and clinical assessment. Out of total 826 participants, NDEs were described by 3%. Compared to the NDE-negative participants, the NDE-positive group had a significantly higher mean for age and a ratio of men. Women reported deeper NDEs. Patients of theistic religions (Christianity, Islam and Hinduism) reported significantly more NDEs compared to patients from the non-theistic religious group (Buddhism). NDE-positive patient group had significantly higher reporting of a feeling 'that they are about to die', the presence of loss of consciousness and a higher percentage of internal medical patients. This is the first time that NDEs are assessed in a general hospital population and NDEs being reported from Sri Lanka. We also note for the first time that persons with theistic religious beliefs reported more NDEs than those with non-theistic religious beliefs. Medical professionals need to be aware of these phenomena to be able to give an empathic hearing to patients who have NDE.