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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

  • All people are equal¹
  • The ideal life is charity, work and worship¹
  • Reincarnation is a cycle of rebirth¹
  • Salvation, the liberation from the cycle of rebirth, is achieved through disciplined meditation and union with God¹
  • The most important goal is to seek the truth²
  • Human soul thought to be inherently good, but may be marked by mistakes²

Common Rituals

  • 6 Holy days where people meet for prayer¹
  • Private worship in the morning and at night¹

Common Health Beliefs

  • Health and healing directly connected to spirituality²
  • Mind, body, and spirit are all connected²
  • Meditation is important, especially when sick²
  • Some prayers and hymns are specific to healing²
  • Belief that God's will be carried out, whether through traditional medicine or prayer²
    • Some may prefer the path of prayer for healing²

Clinical Considerations

  • Leave turban and head scarfs on when possible²
    • If it needs to be removed, explain reasoning and allow for removal in private²
    • Adapt EKGs and stress tests to eliminate hair removal when possible²
  • Handle turban with respect, clean hands, and keep away from shoes²
  • Hair is precious, so consult and get explicit permission before cutting, shaving, or trimming²
  • Handle all articles of faith with clean hands and leave them on the person²
  • Same sex healthcare practitioners may be preferred²
  • If possible, avoid interrupting prayers and meditation²
  • Sexual health issues considered very private and individuals may not want to discuss²
  • Autopsy and blood transfusions are accepted

Diet

  • May not have dietary restrictions¹
  • Many are lacto-vegetarian (take dairy, avoid eggs and meat)²
  • Individual diets vary²

Dress

  • May not cut hair on any part of body¹
  • As a symbol of personal sovereignty and a responsibility to others, a turban is worn¹
  • 5 articles of faith include¹,²:
    • Uncut hair/beard (Kesh)
    • Small wooden comb (Kunga)
    • Steel bracelet (Karra)
    • Small sword (Kirpan)
    • Special cotton underwear (Kashera)

Pregnancy

  • To give his character later in life, a family member will give a drop of honey to the newborn¹
  • Baby typically names after prayers and Sacred Scripture readings²
  • Circumcision not practiced²
  • Birth control accepted, however not used by all because of the natural cycle of life²
  • Abortion is personal decision, but may be discouraged unless medically necessary²

End of Life/Death

  • Death is an opportunity for the soul to merge with the Almighty²
  • Prolonging life when patient is in vegetative state is typically not encouraged²
  • Meditation and prayer is important at time of death, with presence of family²
  • Leave 5 Articles of Faith on the body²
  • Body is bathed, dressed, and then cremated as soon as possible¹
  • The floor should be washed and covered with white sheets¹
  • Shoes should not be worn in the room¹
  • Medically assisted dying not encouraged²

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