Case Study: Cultural & Ethical Factors that affect a Muslim COPD Patient - Essay Example

Case Study: Cultural & Ethical Factors that affect a Muslim COPD Patient Chronic stable COPD patients are treated at home whereas those who are moreserious need to be admitted to a hospital. Once a patient is admitted into a hospital he needs Nursing Care, Medication and Surgery (if need be). Many ethical and cultural factors need to be properly addressed to ensure that hospital care does not offend a Muslim patient in any way. It should be noted that "spiritual care is not necessarily religious care, religious care, at its best, should always be spiritual" (Association of Hospice and Palliative Care Chaplains, 2003).

In this section we discuss the ethical, cultural and religious factors that may influence the care provided to a Muslim COPD patient admitted into a local hospital. "To deliver truly patient-centred care it is important that health professionals respect the religion and culture of all their patients" (Gatrad,R). Muslim's pray five times a day and any interference that may cause them to miss out on this religious duty shall create an atmosphere of distrust between the patient and hospital staff.

This needs to be avoided at all costs by ensuring that the patient is provided with an opportunity to pray even if this entails walking him/her down to a prayer room (if available).The intake of pork is prohibited in any form and any medicine (oral or otherwise) that has used this as an ingredient will not be acceptable to a Muslim patient. Doctor's need to be aware of this and should always prescribe medicine accordingly to avoid refusal of the patient to have his medication. A Muslim patient will also decline any meat (beef/chicken/mutton/sheep) that has not been obtained through Kosher Dietary Practices although fish will be acceptable.

Interaction with members of the opposite sex is also strictly prohibited by Islam (except for immediate family) and strict care needs to be taken when appointing doctors and nursing staff to Muslim COPD patients. This is an integral part of the Muslim faith and no Muslim would want to offend Allah which is the Arabic word for God (Ghulam) by physical interaction with members of the opposite sex.Incase of death an autopsy cannot be performed unless required by law and Muslim COPD patients may be opposed to organ donations (Geri Ann Galant).

Any autopsy without consent of the immediate family members of the deceased patient can aggravate a simple situation into a full blown issue. Muslims are enjoined by their religion to abstain from eating certain foods in the holy month of Ramadan.This is in the interest of health and cleanliness, and in obedience to God.A Muslim admitted during the holy month Ramadan the patient may not be in a condition to fast but care will need to taken not to offend his family members who may be observing a fast.

Muslim's have great faith in God and this can be used to an advantage. For example, Sheikh and colleagues found that in a group of deeply religious Muslim patients, religious psychotherapy used in conjunction with standard psychotherapy and antianxiety drugs was more effective in reducing generalized anxiety than were standard psychotherapy and antianxiety drugs alone (Sheikh)The above study clarifies the fact that it is important to know the religious/cultural needs of a patient and inform the attending staff and designated doctor of these.

When admitting a patient to a hospital care should be taken to enquire if a patient would like to have his/her religious and cultural affiliations recorded. A major implication for practice is the need to increase awareness of how clinical and ethical aspects of decisions are interwoven (Tara C, Healy)References1. Association of Hospice and Palliative Care Chaplains (2003) Standards for Hospice and Palliative Care Chaplains, London: AHPCC2. Clinical update. Care of the Muslim patient.Gulam H; Australian Nursing Journal, Aug2003; 11 (2): [23-5].

(journal article) CINAHL AN: 20031500903. Caring for Muslim Patients by A. Sheikh and A. R. Gatrad. Radcliffe, 2000. 135 pp. ISBN: 1 85775 372 04. Caring for Patients from Different Cultures: Case Studies from American Hospitals Book by Geri-Ann Galanti; University of Pennsylvania Press, 19975. Ethical Decision Making: Pressure and Uncertainty as Complicating Factors Journal article by Tara C. Healy; Health and Social Work, Vol. 28, 20036. Handbook of Religion and Health,Book by Harold G. Koenig, David B.

Larson, Michael E. Mccullough; Oxford University Press, 2001 7. Patient Care Standards: Collaborative Planning & Nursing Interventions: Mary M. Canobbio, Eleanor Vargo Paquette, Marjorie Fyfe Wells; Seventh Edition, Mosby8. Professional issues. Palliative care for Muslims and issues after death.(includes abstract) Gatrad R; International Journal of Palliative Nursing, Dec2002; 8 (12): 594-7. (journal article - tables/charts) PMID: 12560802 CINAHL AN: 2003062539