Understanding religious beliefs of individuals enable medical practitioners to meet the healthcare needs of patients from diverse operspective. Understanding these beliefs will enhance knowledge of society and knowledge for medical practitioners in understanding how spirituality and religion are felt and expressed by the people. Medical practitioners can release prejudices and old stereotypes that they have on specific religious beliefs and practices. The paper illustrates how religion has influenced the delivery of healthcare by focusing on Irish, Italian and Puerto Rican heritage.
The chief religion of Irish people is Catholicism and the church act as a source of strength and solace. In the time of illness, Irish Catholics receive the sacrament of the sick, anointing, and blessing from the priest which limit them access to health care. Another religious belief Irish people portray is their view of life as black with many suffering which influences them in seeking of healthcare (Ennis and Harrington, 2010) . Additionally, illness is considered to be. As a result doing something morally wrong rather than being exposed causative factor (Purnell, 2012) . Similarly, Irish practices such as wearing religious medals sought of folk practices from older women and consulting nuclear family members about health problems limit their access to healthcare.
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The main religion of Italians and Italian Americans is Ancient Roman Catholicism which majorly involves folk religious practices. Most Italian pray through Virgin Mary and by praying and having faith in God help Italians America to heal, which limit their access to health care. According to Italians illnesses are either contributed by heredity, supernatural (God’s will), psychosomatic interactions, and contamination (Purnell, 2012) . Additionally, Italians believe that mental illnesses are attributed to be an evil spirit entering the body and remaining there until it is cast out which limit therapy attendance. Similarly, mental health specialists are seen to be inappropriate agents by meeting problems beyond the expertise of the family and the local community (Weber and Pargament, 2014) . Italians believe that individuals can protect themselves using magical symbols and rituals. Some of the wrong practices include treating baldness with warm cow’s urine and bathing children eyes with early morning saliva from their mother which can result in health problems.
The high population of Puerto Ricans on the mainland is Catholics. Old people use spiritual healers because of their distrust in western medicine. Majority of Puerto Ricans are very religious when faced with tragedies such as death, illness or terminal disease prognosis (Andres et al., 2006). They maintain their trust in spiritual forces rather than seeking medical attention. They underuse health promotion and preventive services such as dental check-ups and physical examinations. Tea from alligator tail and snails is believed to heal asthma and congestive heart failure.
Healthcare practitioners should understand the religious practices and spiritual believes concerning patient’s health and try to convince the patient on the necessary remedy by using their profession. Some religious belief such as better nutrition, living in a clean environment should be recommended. Others beliefs such as folk practices, use of magical symbols and other unhealthy methods need to be addressed.
Reference
Andrés-Hyman, R. C., Ortiz, J., Añez, L. M., Paris, M., & Davidson, L. (2006). Culture and clinical practice: Recommendations for working with Puerto Ricans and other Latinas (os) in the United States. Professional Psychology: Research and Practice , 37 (6), 694.
Ennis, K., & Harrington, D. (2010). Quality management in Irish healthcare. International Journal of Health Care Quality Assurance , 12 (6), 232-244.
Purnell, L. D. (2012). Transcultural health care: A culturally competent approach . FA Davis.
Weber, S. R., & Pargament, K. I. (2014). The role of the religion and spirituality in mental health. Current opinion in psychiatry , 27 (5), 358-363.
