Al Husseini, Dana I

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The Implications of Religious Beliefs on Medical and Patient Care
(2011-11-14) Al Husseini, Dana I
Throughout history and to this date in a continuously globalized world, monotheistic religions and medicine have caused numerous acrimonious debates especially in crucial moments of life and death. Medical and nursing staff working with patients from different religions in any country in the world must adhere to and respect those patients’ faiths and be aware of them to provide better patient care and in worst case scenarios, avoid litigation. Furthermore, this paper should not to be treated as an encyclopedic reference; it is merely a general overview into the three monotheistic faiths to alert professional healthcare staff of the possibility of a religious implication even if it contradicts their own concerns and points of views. In this paper, a general overview of some aspects of Judaism, Christianity and Islam’s doctrines concerning informed consent, abortion, do not resuscitate -DNR, euthanasia and end-of-life care, and autopsies are highlighted and presented. After describing the Islamic viewpoint on each medical process presented herein, a final chapter from an insider’s perspective will recount some examples of how the aforementioned medical processes are carried out from the standpoint of one of Saudi Arabia’s societies.