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Culturally Competent Care

This resource is meant to be used as a guide. Every religion and culture has differing practices, beliefs, ceremonies, and languages dependent on origin location, community, family, and the individual. If you are unsure about how to best provide support,

Brief Overview

  • Development of wisdom, morals, and meditation can lead to enlightenment¹
  • Laws of cause and effect (karma) important and can influence reincarnation¹
  • Belief of 4 aspects of reality:
    • Reality of ones existence (ex. disease)²
    • The cause (wishing for a different life situation)²
    • Overcoming negative feelings²
    • Overcoming disease²

Common Rituals

  • Daily devotions through chanting, meditation, prayer¹,²
  • Full moon atonement ceremonies¹

Common Health Beliefs

  • Healing and recovery can come from awakening wisdom of Buddha¹
  • Illness may be a result of karma from current or previous life¹
  • Belief that spiritually focused people can better respond to illness²
  • Spiritual balance can help with recovery²

Clinical Considerations

  • Medications acceptable so long as they are not mind altering¹
  • No restrictions on blood, blood products, organ donations, medical procedures¹

Diet

  • Typically vegetarian but differences between individuals and groups¹,²
  • Usually avoid alcohol, coffee, and tobacco¹

Mental Health

  • Health is holistic¹
  • Important to investigate mental cures¹

Pregnancy

  • May have ceremonies around blessings of babies¹
  • Artificial insemination and birth control accepted¹,²
  • Typically against abortion but understand when it is necessary¹,²

Pain

  • Pain caused by attachments, misunderstandings, desires²
  • Pain medications accepted but caution regarding dosage based on individual²
  • Typically more acceptable to die naturally²

End of Life/Death

  • Following teachings can lead to peace and to escape the continuing cycle of pain in life²
  • Good state of mind at death important for more favourable rebirth²
    • May require quiet environment²
  • Family and friends may assist in mantras/prayers²
  • Individual may spend time in reflection²
  • Typically like body to remain still after death until spiritual guidance by priest given²
    • Family may request body to remain undisturbed for as long as possible²
    • Family may wish to wash and/or wrap body²
  • Cremation typically preferred²
  • Ceremonies immediately after death and 49 days after¹,²
  • No restrictions on organ donation or autopsy¹

References

  1. Swihart, D. L., Yarrarapu, S. N. S., & Martin, R. L. (2024). Cultural Religious Competence in Clinical Practice. In StatPearls. StatPearls Publishing. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK493216

  2. Spiritual Care Advisory Committee. (2015). Health Care and Religious Beliefs. Alberta Health Services. https://www.albertahealthservices.ca/assets/programs/ps-1026227-health-care-religious-beliefs.pdf