Religious beliefs can affect the understanding of illness in various ways. First, as mentioned in the case study, religions may dictate that individuals should not interfere with God’s will and take actions to change unfavorable circumstances, such as poor medical conditions. Second, religious beliefs may cause distrust in science in general, leading to an irrational fear of being diagnosed and treated with drugs (Clobert & Saroglou, 2015). The case study shows that Cohens’ belief system affected their daughter’s therapy significantly, as they were unwilling to give her medications or hospitalize her. It is possible to say that religion had a negative effect on the girl’s health state as the family seemed to mishandle her condition, knowing that she needed professional help because the symptoms could worsen. The reason for their behavior is that some of the tenets of Hasidic Judaism include not trying to change the circumstances and trusting God’s will.
The first thing students can learn about educating their peers is to consider cultural and religious factors while providing care. Like Cohens, some families may feel the need to conceal their children’s illnesses or decline help. In addition, in the case study, Judy’s mother refused to undergo genetic testing, which could be a necessary step in preventing her future child from a severe medical condition. It means that it is vital to discuss the background of patients’ decisions and their concerns, as well as provide them with information about possible outcomes of their choices. Another important issue students should educate their peers about is to respond to patients’ religious and cultural needs while also considering relevant legislation. In some cases, a medical professional can challenge parents’ decision of refusing treatment for their child if their choice is not based on the child’s best interest. Finally, the case study shows that students should educate the community that although everyone should be free to practice a religion, some religious beliefs may cause significant harm to an individual’s health state and should be considered.
Reference
Clobert, M., & Saroglou, V. (2015). Religion, paranormal beliefs, and distrust in science: Comparing East versus West. Archive for the Psychology of Religion, 37(2), 185-199.