Caring for the Muslim Patient

By Larry WooSoc 001

What is Islam?• A monotheistic religion that is

primarily conservative in moral values– Severely limiting the interactions

between the opposite sex– Modesty (Haya) and strict dress code

(Hijab, Burka, niqab)• Spirituality is not only just believing

in Allah and his teachings, but also following and performing specific rituals and prohibitions daily and regularly– Prohibition towards pork and alcohol– Praying 5 times a day

Muslim Perception of Islam

• Muslims generally see Islam as both spiritual and governing body of society. The social rules and norms are dictated by the Qur’an. – Following these rules are what make Muslims virtuous. Any

deviation, even if slight, is a sin in the sight of Allah. – Interpretation of the text is very limited, but still varied to a

small degree• Islam is the 2nd largest religious group and is most

prevalent in parts of Asia and in the Middle East. – As of 2012, Muslims make up 23% of the world population,

while Christians make up 31%.

Muslim self perception

• There are different types of Muslims. – Sunnis, who make up a large portion

of Muslims in the Middle East, who interpret the Qur’an in a very literal sense. However, even among Sunnis, the level of religiosity, political views, cultural makeup is still very diverse, though it is still mainly conservative in nature

– Nation of Islam, popular in the 60s with Malcolm X at the forefront, has since decline in membership

Da’wah and Islamic FundamentalismDa’wah is the equivalent to Evangelism

• The concept of promoting Islam in social, economical, and political institutions.– The view that it is necessary and beneficial to

create an Islamic state based on Sharia Law. – Unfortunately, rhetoric in favor of this perspective

often use anti-Western attitudes. • This leads to hostility toward western cultures at a very

deep level, since it pervades at the social, political, and economic level.

Jihad clashing with Progressivism

• Jihadists (extremists) are contributing to the misconceptions of Islam in current media– Charlie Hebdo

• Public slaying of French Cartoonists who criticize Islam thru satire

– Malala Mousafzai• Victim of an assassination attempt for

writing about her daily life in a blog, defying the Taliban

• Many Muslims are conservative, but are rarely that extreme like the Jihadists

Contemporary Islam

Modern Muslim VideoMass media has enabled Islam to flourish and

has allowed its core principals to be applied to modern day lives, as shown in the video.

However the concepts of Modesty and Dawah are still very much emphasized.

Functionalist PerspectiveIslam creates and enforces social norms that it prescribes are necessary for a

healthy society. Haya (or Modesty) is one such norm. The actions that one takes should not be done for themselves, but for Allah. Therefore there exists much aversion to US societal values because of individualism and capitalism.

Haya also forces institutions to conform, such as the practice of using chaperones for meeting someone for a date. Also, Islamic Dress can be a form of political statement, and not just cultural. In some countries, like France, the Hijab has been banned inside all public schools and government facilities. This is because they see it as oppressive towards women, and is a tool that can cover up domestic abuse, promotes segregation, and implies that women are promiscuous for not wearing proper dress.

Haya, and other social norms created by Islam, impacts public behavior affecting all institutions, we discuss specifically about Healthcare in the next slide…

cont. Functionalism: Healthcare Setting

In the Healthcare Setting, where professionals have to become necessarily intimate and personal to successfully provide health services, professionals need to be aware of: – Haya, the concept of Modesty

• Curtains need to be drawn, doors closed, and use of blankets for covering the body when appropriate

– Opportunities for prayer should be provided• Assistance will be needed if patient is immobile

– Patients need to be informed of any opposite sex interaction before it occurs

– Patient must be informed if medicine contains alcohol or pork products

Conflict Perspective

Islamic Extremists, with the help of mass media, distorts the image of Islam, such that Islam is viewed as violent, oppressive, and militaristic.

The Taliban is against girls from receiving education (Malala), will not tolerate deviance, and will use violence to achieve their goals. They do this to maintain status quo, and to suppress those who object.

The US has used this false image of Islam to justify going to war against Islamic countries such as Iraq, and the invasion of Afghanistan. The rhetoric behind this action includes the liberation of those people, and the development of democracy so that they can shed their oppressive institutions.

cont. Conflict: Healthcare Setting

Due to the negative image that Muslims are receiving in the last decade, it may be difficult for healthcare professionals to view them without prejudice. – Leading to distrust and consequently decreased or lack of

professional service– Unwillingness to help Muslims

It may also be difficult for the Muslim to express their health needs– Unable or unlikely to get non-prejudicial professional help– Haya and religious prohibitions getting in the way of effective

treatment plans• Viewed as “difficult” or “non-compliant” patient

cont. Conflict: Healthcare Setting

The ongoing cultural conflict between Islam and American (Western) Culture continues to foster distrust and prejudice against each group, reinforcing the status quo.

How to resolve this conflict?• The healthcare professional needs to understand that

Islamic Extremism is not the norm. • Healthcare providers must make accommodations for

the Muslim patient• Full disclosure is provided to the Muslim patient, so that

they are participating in their treatment planning

CitationsGuidelines for Health Care Providers Interacting with Muslim Patients and their Families. International

Strategy and Policy Institute. Metropolitan Chicago Healthcare Council, 8 Dec 1999. Web. 15June 2015.

Health Care Providers' Handbook on Muslim Patients (2nd Ed.). Brisbane, Qld.: Queensland Health, 2011. Print.

Krause, Neal, Christopher G. Ellison, Benjamin A. Shaw, John P. Marcum and Jason D. Boardman."Church-Based Social Support and Religious Coping." Journal for the Scientific Study of Religion, 40.4(2001), 637-56.

"The Modern Muslim" YouTube. Ed. Muslim Youth Movement. YouTube, 23 Aug. 2012. Web. 25 June 2015.

"Muslims." International Encyclopedia of the Social Sciences. Ed. William A. Darity, Jr. 2nd ed. Vol. 5. Detroit: Macmillan Reference USA, 2008. 346-349. Gale Virtual Reference Library. Web. 22 June 2015. Muslims

The World Factbook 2013-14. Washington, DC: Central Intelligence Agency, 2013. Web. 22 June 2015 World Population: Religion

Zeuzschner, Robert B. Classical ethics, East and West: ethics from a comparative perspective. Boston: McGraw-Hill, 2000. Print