TRENDING MEDICAL EDUCATION TOPIC: MANAGEMENT OF PATIENTS WITH SPECIFIC MEDICAL BELIEFS

Patients may have specific health and healthcare beliefs based on prior experiences, cultural backgrounds, or religious beliefs. 

Care providers may be unsure how to address these beliefs when they affect patients’ choices to accept or decline recommended medical care. While nobody can be aware of all possible patient beliefs, some awareness of the most common belief systems can help open the conversation.

Taking the time to explore a patient’s beliefs in a curious and non-judgmental manner can lead to a productive decision process and respect for patient autonomy. 

Consider scheduling a lecture for your medical staff  that covers the following objectives:

• Use active listening techniques to identify important aspects of patients’ beliefs as they relate to health and healthcare
• Manage difficult situations when a patient’s beliefs and expectations do not align with those of the healthcare provider
• Identify commonly held beliefs that can affect a patient’s interaction with the healthcare system

CLICK HERE to download a PDF file featuring information gaps, potential needs, and references for this topic.

If your medical staff needs an update on managing patients with specific medical beliefs, consider contacting our office to book a speaker at 877-505-4777 or info@speakersnetwork.com.

REFERENCES

Romain M, Sprung CL. Approaches to patients and families with strong religious beliefs regarding end-of-life care. Curr Opin Crit Care. 2014 Dec;20(6):668-72. doi: 10.1097/MCC.0000000000000148. PMID: 25215868.

Swihart DL, Yarrarapu SNS, Martin RL. Cultural Religious Competence In Clinical Practice. 2021 Jul 23. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2021 Jan-. PMID: 29630268.;

Yeager KA, Bauer-Wu S. Cultural humility: essential foundation for clinical researchers. Appl Nurs Res. 2013;26(4):251-256.