Faith, values and culture Flashcards
Give example of some medicalised normal human experiences
Childbirth
Bereavement
Menopause
Premenstrual tension
What classifies autism?
Triad of difficulties: social communication, social interaction, social imagination
An unconscious Jehova’s witness has an advanced decision document prohibiting blood transfusion. Do you give her blood in an emergency to save her life?
If the advanced decision document is valid and applicable (has the clause ‘even if the outcome would be death’ and has been witnessed) then it would be battery to disregard her wishes and the advanced decision
If the advanced decision was not known about or could not be found on an unconscious patient, emergency treatment should be given
What if a baby needs cardiac surgery but his parents are devout Jenhova’s witnesses and cannot consent to a blood transfusion for him
It is in the best interests of children to receive blood products which are necessary as part of the treatment, irrespective of their parents religious views
Preservation of life
What is Ramadan?
The month during which Allah revealed the contents of the Qur’an to Muhammad. To commemorate this, Allah instructed all devout Muslims to fast from sunrise to sunset during the month of Ramadan.
Fasting during Ramadan is one of the five pillar of Islam and involves abstaining from food and all medication to demonstrate obedience and learn sympathy for the poor ad hungry
People who are healthy and intentionally do not fast commit a sin in the eyes of Allah.
Those with chronic illnesses, the acutely unwell, children and people with learning disabilities who do not understand the reason for fasting are not expected to fast.
It could also be argued that certain professionals should be able to abstain from fully fasting as reduction on their physical skills and concentration may have negative impacts on other people
What is FGM defined as?
Female genital mutilation
All procedures which involve partial or total removal of the external female genitalia or other injury to the female genital organs whether for cultural or any other non-therapeutic reasons
What are the WHO classifications of FGM?
1: excision of the prepuce, with or without excision of part or all of the clitoris
2: excision of the clitoris with partial/total excision of the labia minora
3: excision of part/all of the external genitalia and stitching/narrowing of the vaginal opening (infibulation)
4: Unclassified. Pricking, piercing, incising clitoris and or labia, stretching clitoris/labia, cauterisation by burning of clitoris and surrounding tissue
What are the main arguments against FGM?
- Dangerous tradition with horrific medical consequences
- Primarily performed on girls who cannot consent to the procedure
- Misogynistic practice carried out in patriarchal societies to repress female sexuality
What is relativism?
A strain of ethical theory that holds that there are no absolute truths or morals
Cultural relativism: Different moral codes are applied by different cultures and that these should not be criticised by people who do not have an intimate understanding of that culture
Who may be at risk of FGM?
Refugees, asylum seekers and migrants
Girls aged 7-10yrs, esp if older girls in the family have undergone it
How is male circumcision different from female circumcision?
Female circumcision is classed as female genital mutilation and is illegal
Male non-therapeutic circumcision continues to be performed and is assumed to be lawful if both parents give valid consent and the child will be brought up in adherence with religious views that promulgate it
When are parents allowed to decide if their son undergoes non-therapeutic circumcision?
Both parents must give valid consent
Parents have to demonstrate that non-therapeutic circumcision is in their child’s best interests, considering harms and benefits
Is there a benefit to male circumcision?
- Can be done therapeutically (eg in phimosis and recurrent balanitis)
- Reduces risk of heterosexual men acquiring HIV
- Benefits the child by connection to a religion and adherence to those norms
- Sense of belonging to a religious faith or cultural group
What are the risks of male circumcision?
bleeding pain infection damage to the urethra altered sensation?
Which religions do not allow post mortems? what do you do if one is legally required?
Judaism and Islam do not allow post mortems
If a post mortem is legally required, the family cannot refuse as they are not being asked for consent
Some areas of the country allow an initial post mortem to be a self funded MRI if the family understand a further examination may still be required
