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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

  • Overarching group including denominations such as Amish, Mennonite, Methodist, Presbyterian, United, Baptist, Anglican, Lutheran, Episcopalian¹
  • Each denomination has differing ceremonies and practices¹
  • Common elements include importance of community worship and emphasis on Bible and scripture¹
  • Belief that God forgives freely and prayer is for communication, thanking, and addressing concerns²

Common Rituals

  • Sunday is Holy day with group mass and taking of the Eucharist¹,²
  • Daily prayers and scripture readings¹
  • Importance of Holy sacraments to mark important life milestones¹

Common Health Beliefs

  • Differences in belief of the meaning and cause of suffering and the importance of spiritual practices amongst denominations²
  • May use prayer for healing¹

Clinical Considerations

  • Blood and blood products accepted, and are an individuals choice¹
  • Organ donation is accepted²
  • High value placed on life as long as the quality of life is good²
  • Certain denominations may have suggestions or restrictions, but generally no guidelines regarding medical treatment²

Diet

  • Typically no dietary restrictions, but this may vary between denominations¹,²

Pregnancy

  • Baptism of infants practiced among some denominations¹
  • Birth control and artificial insemination are personal choices, with some denominations having more specific guidelines¹
  • Baptism may be requested if there is a stillborn or miscarriage²

End of Life/Death

  • Some rituals after death may include anointment with oil, reading of scripture, and/or prayer²
  • Some believe after death, the Soul goes to Heaven to be with God and loved ones who have passed²
  • Some believe the Soul will only go to Heaven when Jesus returns to take them²
  • End of life treatment and/or withdrawal of treatment differs between individuals and denominations²
  • Autopsy and organ donation typically accepted¹
  • Medical assisted dying typically not accepted¹

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