Developing a Deeper Understanding
Religion
Religious beliefs have a major impact on attitudes toward many procedures in the hospital, such as birthing practices, death and dying, diet, gender issues, abortion and modesty.
Religion plays a major role in the lives of all cultural groups. "Religion is rarely a topic of conversation in hospitals, but religious beliefs and practices are common sources of conflict and misunderstanding. Patients' exercise of their beliefs can result in amusing or even tragic interference with medical care" (Galanti 1997, p.40).
Topics of Major Religious Significance:
Issues Arising From Blood Testing: Vietnamese and other Asian patients may be highly distressed or refuse to have blood drawn for laboratory tests, and may be unwilling to receive blood transfusions as well. It is believed that losing blood depletes the body's strength and provides a route for the soul to leave the body. Blood transfusions give the opportunity for another's spirits to enter the patient's body. These thoughts are particularly strong when children are sick (D' Avanzo, p. 204).
The "Evil Eye" Belief: "Belief in the evil eye is widespread throughout Central America, the Mediterranean, the Middle East, much of Africa, and parts of Asia. Although the beliefs and associated practices vary, the concept generally includes an evil that one puts on another that causes the victim to fall ill. The motive is usually envy. In Mexican culture, for example, babies are considered weak and extremely susceptible to the power of an envious glance. It is not even necessary to wish a child harm; a simple compliment, unaccompanied by a touch, can bring on the evil eye. Touching the person while complimenting him or her, however, neutralizes the power of the evil eye" (Galanti, pp.49-50).
Islam's Ramadan and Roman Catholicism's Lent: Both of these time periods are very important to followers of each respective religion and may affect the overall health of the patients who strictly follow their guidelines. Ramadan is a month of purification and fasting, and during daylight hours, Muslims refrain from food, drink, tobacco and sex. Lent is a similar period of purification, where Roman Catholics give up one of their pleasures for six weeks, often alcohol or red meat.
Developing a Deeper Understanding
