Role of Religion

Use an interpreter when one is needed and speak back to your patient what you have understood about what they’ve said. Find out where the patient falls on the spectrum of being in their own culture and being in the culture they have migrated to.

ROLE OF RELIGION

While there is diversity among religions, there are some things you need to understand when dealing with patients who come from different religion. Knowing these practical ways of dealing with different religions will help you understand how to understand the patient’s needs. Always consider using a pastoral care advisor when dealing with a patient who has certain religious beliefs. Like culture, you should not over-generalize about a patient’s religion or their religious beliefs.

When dealing with Buddhist patients, know that they place an emphasis on mindfulness. For this reason, they may request time for peace and quiet when they meditate. There may be cultural beliefs about modesty, particularly around members of the opposite sex. Be prepared to feed these patients vegetarian foods and know that some medications are animal-based. They may refuse pain medications that might cloud their consciousness. Chanting or praying out loud can be part of this culture and there may be a request to burn incense or candles.

Many of these patients will not want their consciousness clouded at the end of their life. Minimize intrusions as the patient and their family prepare for death. Death is perceived as a change or transition and family members may stay away from the patient at the time of death. Do not jostle the patient after death because they believe that the spirit will still reside in the body for a period of time. Religious rites may persist for hours after the patient’s death.

In Catholic patients, receiving blessings and sacraments by a Catholic priest are important. This is especially important before any surgery or the possibility of death. Last rites or Sacrament of the Sick can be done by the priest on these patients. If the patient is dying, there may be an urgent request for a priest to pray for the patient or deliver last rites. Baptism is also very important if an infant is dying. Baptism can be done by anyone with proper intent if a priest is unavailable. You should know how to

baptize an infant by saying their name, and saying “I baptize you in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit” and by pouring water on the head of the infant three times.

Holy Communion may be requested for by the patient before surgery. This should be approved because it involves taking a tiny wafer into the mouth when they shouldn’t be eating anything. Expect religious objects to be worn by the patient or held in a bag near the patient during procedures. Not going to mass can be very stressful to the Catholic patient. Most patients will not want extraordinary measures but this is often negotiable. Non-meat diets may be necessary on Fridays during the 40 days before Easter, which is called Lent.

Hindu patients also have cultural concern about modesty and may not talk about urogenital issues if the spouse is present. Hindus are strictly vegetarian and some will not eat onion or garlic. Fasting is commonly practiced in Hinduism. The washing of hands after a meal is standard practice. There are certain right-handed practices and certain left-handed practices, such as toileting, which need to be considered. Certain pieces of jewelry have religious significance. Death is considered a transition and many will want to die at home. The washing of the body after death is important. The dead patient’s family will often want someone to accompany the body after death.

Jehovah’s witnesses have a strict belief against receiving any type of blood transfusion, even if it is the patient’s own stored blood. Certain blood products, like albumin and hemophiliac drugs may or may not be allowed, based on the individual belief system. Organ donation and transplantation are allowed. While prayers are said, they do not believe in faith healing practices. They do not believe in an immediate afterlife after death. Birthdays and Christian holidays are not practiced.

Jewish patients often do not work on the Sabbath, which starts on sundown on Friday and ends on sundown on Saturday. This may involve not using things that involve electricity, like pushing a call button, or tearing sheets of toilet paper when toileting. Surgery and discharges should not be done on these days. Jewish holidays are very important as well. There may be dietary restrictions on those days. Some Jewish people keep a Kosher diet, while others do not. Modesty can be important and some will refuse

life-sustaining measure. Burial should happen quickly after death without an autopsy, unless the examination is required. Family members may accompany the body.

Amputated limbs should be buried with the rest of the body. Rabbis are frequently consulted with regard to medical decisions. A yarmulke may be worn at all times in some Jewish people. Remember that being Jewish is partially racial so some customs may be followed, even if the person is not religious.

Muslims are also very concerned with modesty and women may cover their bodies at all times, especially when accompanied by men. There should be limited social contact between members of the opposite gender. Eye contact may be avoided. Many Muslims adhere to a specific diet, which avoids pork products and gelatin. It is not the same as a Kosher diet. Drugs containing gelatin are often avoided. Alcohol is not consumed by Muslim people.

Washing in Muslim practices involves some type of running water before prayers, before meals, and after meals. Prayers are five times daily. The imam is the holy person used to help the patient make decisions about prayer and what is acceptable. Pain medications are often avoided. Amputated limbs are buried with the body if possible. They do not generally wish to withdraw or withhold life-sustaining therapy. Family members like to stay with the dying person and the head of the bed should face Mecca after death. Burial happens as soon as possible. Ramadan is a thirty-day period of fasting in which the patient does not eat during daylight hours. Fasting in summertime tends to be more stressful because of the long hours of daylight.

Pentecostal patients often pray loudly, which can be difficult in a hospital setting. Speaking in tongues is practiced and is felt to be significant. Often, large groups of people are asked for as part of prayer activity. There is a strong belief in miracles and in miraculous healing.