Practical theologians at Aberdeen University have won government support to study hospital patients' spiritual needs.
John Swinton and Harriet Mowat of Aberdeen's School of Divinity and Religious Studies are about to begin a £90,000, 18-month project exploring the role of hospital chaplains in delivering spiritual care within the National Health Service.
Dr Swinton said: "There is a lot of strong scientific evidence that points to a close correlation between patients' spiritual and mental and physical health."