The Compassionate Friends Executive Director, Patricia Loder, is seen in her Milford, Mich. home Friday, Aug. 15, 2008. Loder holds a photo of her late 5-year-old son Stephen, and 8-year-old daughter Stephanie, both of whom were killed in an automobile accident in 1991.

CHICAGO (AP) _ When it comes to saving lives, God trumps doctors for many Americans.



An eye-opening survey reveals widespread belief that divine intervention can revive dying patients. And, researchers said, doctors "need to be prepared to deal with families who are waiting for a miracle."



More than half of randomly surveyed adults — 57 percent — said God's intervention could save a family member even if physicians declared treatment would be futile. And nearly three-quarters said patients have a right to demand such treatment.



When asked to imagine their own relatives being gravely ill or injured, nearly 20 percent of doctors and other medical workers said God could reverse a hopeless outcome.



"Sensitivity to this belief will promote development of a trusting relationship" with patients and their families, according to researchers.