Purpose Engagement of healthcare professionals with patients from diverse cultural and religious backgrounds is crucial in our multicultural society, where miscommunication and errors in medical history taking can lead to incorrect treatment. In particular, Muslim patients may present unique considerations due to their specific cultural and religious beliefs, which can significantly impact treatment outcomes. This study focuses on perioperative medication therapy for patients undergoing upper and lower gastrointestinal tract and pancreatic tumor surgery, specifically examining whether Islamic beliefs were duly considered (...) in medication selection compared to a matching patient cohort. Materials and methods Data from January 2004 to July 2023 were analyzed. Muslim patients were identified using the onomastic method and matched with non-Muslim patients at a 1:3 ratio based on age, gender, and procedure. Analysis included examination of subcutaneous, oral, and intravenous medications, with attention to ingredients and compatibility with Islamic principles. Results Among 5272 patients, only 5 met the study’s inclusion criteria as Muslim patients, undergoing procedures such as anterior rectum resection, gastrectomy, and pancreatic head resection. Their religious affiliations were not documented in the admission records. According to the matched-pair analysis, consistent treatment was performed regardless of religious beliefs. All patients received subcutaneous medication, primarily enoxaparin, instead of fondaparinux, an Islam-compliant alternative. Intravenous heparin was used once for short period. Contrary to Islamic dietary restrictions and the availability of alternatives, capsules containing animal-derived gelatin and other non-compliant medications were administered orally. Conclusion This study underscores the importance of acknowledging Muslim patients’ cultural and religious backgrounds in the perioperative setting, as failure to do so may lead healthcare professionals to overlook their potential alternative medication needs, which are essential for providing tailored medical care in modern societies. Integration of diversity-related topics into medical curricula is essential for better preparing physicians for clinical practice and ensuring patient-centered care. (shrink)

Background Effective healthcare delivery in today's diverse society necessitates healthcare providers' adeptness in navigating cultural and religious nuances in patient care. However, the integration of cultural competence training into medical education remains inadequate, particularly concerning the care of Muslim patients. In response, we introduce a novel educational intervention aimed at enhancing intercultural proficiency among medical students, emphasizing care for Muslim patients. Methods The intervention comprised interactive seminars and simulated patient sessions. With a bespoke and the Cross-Cultural Competence of Healthcare Professionals (...) (CCCHP-27) questionnaire the pre- and post-course intercultural competencies of n = 31 medical students of the Medical Faculty of Jena University were assessed. Additionally, there was a control group consisting of 34 students. Statistical analyses including descriptive statistics, paired samples t-tests, Wilcoxon tests, correlation analysis, Mann–Whitney U-tests, and multiple regression analysis were employed for data analysis. Results Results of the bespoke questionnaire reveal significant improvements in intercultural knowledge (median pre 1.0 (0.6 – 1.6), median post 2.2 (2.4-2.8), p < 0.001) and in knowledge regarding Muslim patients (median pre 1.0 (0.5 – 1.5), median post 2.5 (2-3), p < 0.001) following the course. Regarding the CCCHP-27, students demonstrated a significant improvement in their skills, with pre-assessment score of 4.10 (± 0.47) and post-assessment score of 4.38 (± 0.40), p = 0.001. Female participants and those with limited prior experience demonstrated greater gains (p = 0.005 and p = 0.053). Notably, the incorporation of a session with a simulated patient garnered favorable feedback, affirming the efficacy of practical application in consolidating learning outcomes. Discussion Our study emphasizes the importance of integrating intercultural competencies training into medical education and our findings underscore the efficacy of targeted educational interventions in enhancing intercultural competencies among medical students. For the assessment of intercultural competence, our bespoke questionnaire serves as a valuable addition to the German healthcare system. Conclusion Implementation of similar interventions into medical curricula nationwide is imperative to address the needs of diverse patient populations effectively. (shrink)

In the philosophical thought of twentieth century, the notion of world of life frequently confronts as an ontological concept that expresses the existence of the subject in the world. This notion is presented as a multi dimensional and multiple meaning concept, which represents all elements of the relationship between the subject and the world, all modes of this relationship and it also constitutes the ground of this relationship. In this sense, the phenomenological and pragmatist perspectives, that identify this notion with (...) the interactional experience of the subject, become especially prominent. On the other hand, the concept of anthropological culture is a common concept and comes in sight based on the notion of experience in the views of both philosophical traditions, especially John Dewey’s and Merleau-Ponty’s. In this context, the aim of this study is on the one hand to analyze the philosophical basis of the concept of anthropological culture and on the other hand to evaluate and compare the presentation of this concept on the ontological ground by pragmatist and phenomenological traditions. (shrink)