About Le Anne Clausen Expertise I can answer questions about life as an expatriate in the Middle East; women's experiences, international human rights efforts and issues, interfaith relations in areas of conflict, with a particular emphasis on Iraq, Israel/Palestine, and Afghanistan.
Experience I was a human rights worker for four years in Palestine/Israel, Iraq, and Afghanistan. I have additionally traveled in Jordan, Lebanon, and Syria. I speak intermediate Arabic and some Hebrew, and I have an MA in Christian-Muslim relations. I am currently working to create an interfaith peace-teams based human rights organization
Publications "Be the Healers" (a response to Abu Ghraib), July 2004 issue of the Lutheran magazine. Also: www.christian-muslim.net; www.young-activist.blogspot.com; additional articles and interviews about me can be found via Google search.
Question Hi. I am doing a report on how I would go about treating a male or female Muslim patient while in the field. Either on an ALS or BLS unit. I have read many things concerning the fact the with women they can only be seen without their gowns by their own family. And if they are touched they would break religious beliefs which would only do them more harm mentally than physically. So I guess my question would be how would I be able to take a blood pressure reading, or palpate the chest or abdomen or even splint a broken arm. Same goes for men I guess as well.
Answer Greetings Mark, and thanks for your question. It is true that some extremely conservative Muslim men and women would hold these beliefs and practices, but the medical profession is also widely respected, and many patients are seen by doctors of the opposite gender. It all depends on the country, region, and family customs.
There are a variety of approaches you could take, and the family or patient themselves can (and should) give you as much guidance about their personal preferences. For example, sometimes you can conduct an exam with a family member serving as 'chaperone.' Other times, a colleague of the same gender as the patient (doctor or nurse) could do the assessments which require physically touching the patient, while you supervise. At other times, it's worth noting that the torso is the part of the body which is considered 'most private,' while the limbs are considered less so. Sometimes the clothing is quite thin, so it is possible to apply a blood pressure cuff, or perhaps even to check the abdomen over the clothing.
It's always good to have medical staff of both genders available on site if possible, since this is the easiest way to cope. However, in an emergency situation, most families would prefer that you save their loved one's life and will exercise understanding.
When I was involved in a bus accident in Iran a year ago with a head injury, I was taken to a local hospital and given a very modest set of 'scrubs' and a hijab to wear into the x-ray chamber. I did notice just how many female doctors abounded in the hospital--and do find that many places have a high number of female docors present.
In Afghanistan, I believe there were also a majority of women doctors in the Rabia Balkhi hospital which we toured, the largest maternity hospital in the country.
Overall, I would say, be clear in explaining what you need to do and why; enlist the family's consent or advice on how to proceed, and be flexible and creative to respect their wishes whenever possible.
