Abstract
This paper reviews the ethical, cultural, religious and social dimensions of culturally-competent elder care in Muslim majority countries. Although Western biomedical models of elder care dominate international practice, Islamic societies have a rich tradition of approaches to health for the elderly which fit their religious and historical context (which increases adherence, compliance, and patient satisfaction among those populations). These Islamic practices can potentially augment current elder care paradigms, leading to more diverse and satisfying international frameworks. Specifically, communally-based societies place greater emphasis on tribal, community, and family health, and decision-making often occurs within families, in sharp contrast to rights-based individualistic societies which emphasise personal autonomy. Also, Eastern cultures, most notably those impacted by Confucianism, tend to place high value on elders as decision makers, repositories of traditional wisdom, and forces of continuity in preserving cultural and religious identity. Western media on the other hand, most notably social media in the U.S.A., tends to fetishise youth and youthfulness. The designations Sheikh / Shaykhah, literally ‘old man’ or ‘old woman’ (> verb “to grow old”), are honorific titles in Arabic-speaking countries denoting either a wise tribal leader or female scholar (or the daughter of a Sheikh). Within utilitarian-oriented health economics, the relative value of individuals within a society plays an important role in distributive justice. This analytical presentation is based on a review of the relevant literature, and discussions with a Family Medicine physician, a Cultural Anthropologist, and a Medical Humanities specialist all working in medical colleges in the State of Qatar.
Presenters
Alan S. WeberProfessor, Premedical, WCM-Q, Ar Rayyan, Qatar Tanya Kane
Assistant Professor of Behavioural Science, Population Medicine, College of Medicine, Qatar University, QU Health, Qatar Mohamud Verjee
Director, Ambulatory Care Clerkship; Associate Professor of Family Medicine, Medical Education, Weill Cornell Medicine - Qatar, Qatar
Details
Presentation Type
Paper Presentation in a Themed Session
Theme
Medical Perspectives on Aging, Health, Wellness
KEYWORDS
Elder Care Muslim-majority Nations, Culturally Competent Care
Digital Media
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