Medicine and Religious Choice
I still get questions as to why I ask about religious beliefs in my questioning of patients and why it matters in health care. I have addressed many issues in the past, but a recent article in the Archives of Surgery addresses more reasons.
During heart procedures, it is common to use bovine or porcine products for valves etc. But patients of Jewish, Muslim, and Hindu faiths may not accept the use of these animal products based on their religious beliefs and it should be made very clear in the informed consent process whether such products may be used.
After discussion with religious leaders this recent study found that although persons of Jewish faith are prohibited from eating pork, use of porcine products during surgery is permissible.
This is because Judaism considers preservation of life a divine commandment and, therefore, dictates that everything should be done to save a patient.
As in Judaism, consumption of pork is prohibited in the Islamic faith. Use of porcine products for surgery, however, is acceptable as the saving of a life, once again, overrules this prohibition.
But these products should only be used in dire circumstances and after all other alternatives have been exhausted.
The acceptability of using bovine surgical products by persons of Hindu faith may depend on their personal or local cultural view of the sacredness of cattle.
So once again, religious viewpoints do affect how we treat patients and should be part of a complete History of the patient.
As physicians, we should respect our patient's autonomy and have an understanding of worldwide religious views and be sensitive to other religious beliefs.
This understanding of religion and what is acceptable within each can help to shape physicians ideals and enhance our care and practice of medicine.
During heart procedures, it is common to use bovine or porcine products for valves etc. But patients of Jewish, Muslim, and Hindu faiths may not accept the use of these animal products based on their religious beliefs and it should be made very clear in the informed consent process whether such products may be used.
After discussion with religious leaders this recent study found that although persons of Jewish faith are prohibited from eating pork, use of porcine products during surgery is permissible.
This is because Judaism considers preservation of life a divine commandment and, therefore, dictates that everything should be done to save a patient.
As in Judaism, consumption of pork is prohibited in the Islamic faith. Use of porcine products for surgery, however, is acceptable as the saving of a life, once again, overrules this prohibition.
But these products should only be used in dire circumstances and after all other alternatives have been exhausted.
The acceptability of using bovine surgical products by persons of Hindu faith may depend on their personal or local cultural view of the sacredness of cattle.
So once again, religious viewpoints do affect how we treat patients and should be part of a complete History of the patient.
As physicians, we should respect our patient's autonomy and have an understanding of worldwide religious views and be sensitive to other religious beliefs.
This understanding of religion and what is acceptable within each can help to shape physicians ideals and enhance our care and practice of medicine.
Labels: art of medicine, medicine, religion
posted by Anonymous at 6:10 AM
1 Comments:
That's a nice thought, but honestly, you arent really operating and placing any pork valves yourself - that would be the role of the heart surgeon, who one would assume would ask the same question before operating. Do you send a letter to the surgeon telling him about the religious history taken by your office?
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