The implementation of the Sharia Law in medical practice: a balance between medical ethics and patients rights

A selection of abstracts of clinically relevant papers from other journals. The abstracts on this page have been chosen and edited by John R. Radford.

Abstract

'...more educated patients (Iranian women) preferred to be visited by male physicians and receive(d) health care by male nurses.'

Main

Dargahi H. J Med Ethics Hist Med 2011; 4: 7

The author argues that medical ethics should embrace a patient's religious beliefs. This was the background for a study that looked at whether or not women supported a policy, drafted in 1997 but not enacted by the Islamic Republic of Iran, that they should be cared for only by other women. Questionnaires were completed by 120 women who were in-patients in four teaching hospitals in Tehran. The majority were 20–40 years old, married and house-wives. Thirty percent were illiterate. In contrast to 'more educated' women, half, and most husbands preferred 'their wives' to be cared for by other women. In the Discussion, another issue of cultural sensitivity was explored. It was argued that the wearing of a Hijab and religious relics 'need to have priority over medical procedure with more favo(u)rable outcomes.'