| Original Full Text | Brazilian Journal of Development ISSN: 2525-8761 1 Brazilian Journal of Development, Curitiba, v.10, n.10, p. 01-06, 2024 The influence of religiosity on medical treatment choice A influência da religiosidade na escolha do tratamento medico La influencia de la religiosidad en la elección del tratamiento medico DOI:10.34117/bjdv10n10-073 Submitted: Sep 27th, 2024 Approved: Oct 23rd, 2024 Gabriela Darwiche Graduating in Medicine Institution: Centro Universitário da Fundação Assis Gurgacz Address: Cascavel, Paraná, Brazil E-mail: gdarwiche@minha.fag.edu.br Gabriela Stefanello Palaoro Graduating in Medicine Institution: Centro Universitário da Fundação Assis Gurgacz Address: Cascavel, Paraná, Brazil E-mail: gspalaoro@minha.fag.edu.br Lara Canato Micheletto Graduating in Medicine Institution: Centro Universitário da Fundação Assis Gurgacz Address: Cascavel, Paraná, Brazil E-mail: lcmicheletto@minha.fag.edu.br Luana Cristina Santos de Oliveira Graduating in Medicine Institution: Centro Universitário da Fundação Assis Gurgacz Address: Cascavel, Paraná, Brazil E-mail: lcsdoliveira@minha.fag.edu.br Marco Aurélio Bueno Graduating in Medicine Institution: Centro Universitário da Fundação Assis Gurgacz Address: Cascavel, Paraná, Brazil E-mail: mabueno2@minha.fag.edu.br Mariana Tomasetto Leczko Graduating in Medicine Institution: Centro Universitário da Fundação Assis Gurgacz Address: Cascavel, Paraná, Brazil E-mail: mtleczko@minha.fag.edu.br Brazilian Journal of Development ISSN: 2525-8761 2 Brazilian Journal of Development, Curitiba, v.10, n.10, p. 01-06, 2024 Rafaelli Machado Cocoletto Graduated in Medicine Institution: Centro Universitário da Fundação Assis Gurgacz Address: Cascavel, Paraná, Brazil E-mail: rafaellimc@hotmail.com Rurick Chiella Graduating in Medicine Institution: Centro Universitário da Fundação Assis Gurgacz Address: Cascavel, Paraná, Brazil E-mail: rvchiella@minha.fag.edu.br ABSTRACT Religiosity can significantly influence the choice of medical treatment, as each religious belief has its own guidelines and teachings about health, illness, and healing. For example, some religions may prefer naturalistic treatments or alternative medicine, which are often not scientifically proven. On the other hand, some individuals opt for more conventional approaches, such as Western medicine. Furthermore, religious beliefs may also affect the use of certain medications or procedures, including surgeries and blood transfusions. It is important to emphasize that the choice of medical treatment should take into account not only the patient’s religiosity but also their clinical condition and specialized medical guidance. Decision-making should be conscious and responsible, always aiming for the well-being and health of the individual. Keywords: religiosity, medical treatment, illness. RESUMO A religiosidade pode influenciar significativamente a escolha do tratamento médico, pois cada crença religiosa tem suas próprias diretrizes e ensinamentos sobre saúde, doença e cura. Por exemplo, algumas religiões podem preferir tratamentos naturalistas ou medicina alternativa, que geralmente não são comprovados cientificamente. Por outro lado, algumas pessoas optam por abordagens mais convencionais, como a medicina ocidental. Além disso, as crenças religiosas também podem afetar o uso de determinados medicamentos ou procedimentos, inclusive cirurgias e transfusões de sangue. É importante enfatizar que a escolha do tratamento médico deve levar em conta não apenas a religiosidade do paciente, mas também sua condição clínica e a orientação médica especializada. A tomada de decisão deve ser consciente e responsável, visando sempre o bem-estar e a saúde do indivíduo. Palavras-chave: religiosidade, tratamento médico, doença. RESUMEN La religiosidad puede influir significativamente en la elección de un tratamiento médico, ya que cada creencia religiosa tiene sus propias directrices y enseñanzas sobre la salud, la enfermedad y la curación. Por ejemplo, algunas religiones pueden preferir los tratamientos naturalistas o la medicina alternativa, que a menudo no están probados científicamente. Por otro lado, algunas personas optan por enfoques más convencionales, como la medicina occidental. Además, las creencias religiosas también pueden afectar al uso de determinados medicamentos o procedimientos, incluidas las intervenciones quirúrgicas y las transfusiones de sangre. Es importante destacar que la elección del Brazilian Journal of Development ISSN: 2525-8761 3 Brazilian Journal of Development, Curitiba, v.10, n.10, p. 01-06, 2024 tratamiento médico debe tener en cuenta no sólo la religiosidad del paciente, sino también su estado clínico y la orientación médica especializada. La toma de decisiones debe ser consciente y responsable, buscando siempre el bienestar y la salud del individuo. Palabras clave: religiosidad, tratamiento médico, enfermedad. 1 INTRODUCTION The influence of religiosity on the choice of medical treatment can be quite significant in some cultures and communities. Some patients may prefer to use alternative treatments based on religious practices rather than following conventional medical guidelines. Additionally, there are cases where religion may influence the decision not to seek medical treatment for serious illnesses, which can severely jeopardize the patient's health. However, it is important to remember that religiosity should not be seen as a barrier to accessing healthcare, and it is possible to promote education about viable treatments while respecting patients’ beliefs. Alternative treatments based on religious practices in medicine are commonly used by patients who wish to complement or replace conventional medical treatments. These treatments may include techniques such as prayer, laying on of hands, the use of medicinal herbs, and other methods. It is important to highlight that not all alternative treatments are scientifically proven and, in some cases, may be harmful to health. Therefore, it is crucial that religious practices are evaluated and monitored by qualified healthcare professionals to ensure that treatment is effective and safe. 2 THEORETICAL FRAMEWORK Religiosity is an increasingly broad and studied theme in the context of health, including the impact of religiosity on medical treatments. Religious beliefs and practices can affect a person's health and also the way they choose to engage in medical treatments, leading to numerous discussions about what the right decision is for each individual. According to Pinto and Falcão (2014), their research was based on recognizing the presence and importance of religious beliefs in the context of medical assistance, as they are considered a psychological resource for coping with the difficulties of treatment. Another pertinent issue was the difficulty in discussing the topic with patients and the Brazilian Journal of Development ISSN: 2525-8761 4 Brazilian Journal of Development, Curitiba, v.10, n.10, p. 01-06, 2024 silence surrounding it among medical colleagues. As a result, there is a need for greater reflection on the subject within the investigated group, including investing in the educational aspect of physicians regarding the involvement of religiosity. However, it is relevant to highlight that religiosity can influence the acceptance or refusal of medical treatments. Additionally, some religious beliefs may be opposed to certain medical treatments, such as the use of blood transfusions. This can lead to conflicts between patients and physicians in treatment decision-making. Cultural and religious aspects play a significant role in understanding patients’ needs and desires regarding the treatment they will receive. Healthcare professionals must be aware of these influences of religiosity on medical treatments and address the issue with sensitivity. This includes understanding specific religious beliefs and adapting treatment plans to accommodate patients' religious beliefs, as long as this does not compromise the effectiveness of treatment or the patient's health. In conclusion, the relationship between religiosity and medical treatments is complex and requires careful consideration by healthcare professionals. By recognizing and understanding the influence of religiosity on health and treatment, healthcare providers can offer more sensitive and individualized care to patients. 3 METHODOLOGY To achieve the objectives proposed in this study, a literature review of the integrative type was conducted, where some articles from the Scielo, PubMed, and Medical Ethics Code platforms were selected using the descriptors “religiosity,” “medical treatment,” and “diseases.” The chosen method includes analyzing relevant research that supports decision-making, allowing the incorporation of these findings into clinical practice. This type of study is a strategy for identifying and analyzing existing evidence of health practices when the production of scientific knowledge is not sufficiently grounded. From this research, articles that provided evidence regarding the influence of religiosity on the choice of medical treatment were selected to highlight that religious practices should be evaluated and monitored by qualified healthcare professionals to ensure effective and safe treatments. Brazilian Journal of Development ISSN: 2525-8761 5 Brazilian Journal of Development, Curitiba, v.10, n.10, p. 01-06, 2024 4 ANALYSIS AND DISCUSSIONS The doctor-patient relationship should always respect the patient's autonomy in their decisions, deliberating jointly with the physician or even refusing any form of intervention. On the other hand, there is also the autonomy of the medical professional, who can refuse to provide care, except in special and specified situations. Autonomy is one of the foundational principles of bioethics, and for the physician, it means the freedom to decide, ultimately technically, correctly, freely, and consciously, which course of action to take. Through this principle, physicians are assured the right to refuse to provide their services when such actions conflict with their conscience. An example of this situation is when a physician refuses to start or continue a treatment that, according to them, may require blood transfusions, and the patient, a Jehovah’s Witness, categorically rejects this procedure. 5 FINAL CONSIDERATIONS In light of the above, the relevance of patient autonomy in the practice of religiosity involving medicine is concluded. As a prevailing opinion of the Enlightenment, it was said that religion and science are incompatible factors; however, literature on the history of science and religion contradicts this view, showing that conflicts in this relationship are not inevitable and can be harmonious (Casanova J. 1994; Berger PA. 2001). It is worth noting that today there are priests who work with science, as well as scientists who operate in the field of religion. Even though this is the predominant perception, it was observed that religiosity is often relegated in clinical routines. It was also observed that the approach to this topic, viewed by many interviewees as problematic, does not stem from studies on the subject, nor from academic training, much less from the exchange of experiences among peers. This situation becomes concerning and requires resolution from society, which must become more informed about the concepts of religiosity and medicine. Brazilian Journal of Development ISSN: 2525-8761 6 Brazilian Journal of Development, Curitiba, v.10, n.10, p. 01-06, 2024 REFERENCES CÓDIGO DE ÉTICA MÉDICA. Resolução CFM no 1931/2009. Brasília. Conselho Federal de Medicina (CFM – Brasil). PINTO, A. N., e FALCÃO, E. B. M. “Religiosidade no contexto médico: entre a receptividade e o silêncio”. Revista Brasileira de Educação Médica , vol. 38, março de 2014, p. 38–46. SciELO CÓDIGO DE ÉTICA MÉDICA: Resolução CFM no 2.217, de 27 de setembro de 2018 , modificada pelas Resoluções CFM no 2.222/2018 e 2.226/2019 / Conselho Federal de Medicina – Brasília: Conselho Federal de Medicina, 2019. UNESCO. Declaração Universal sobre Bioética e Direitos Humanos. Adotada por aclamação no dia 19 de Outubro de 2005 pela 33a sessão da Conferência Geral da UNESCO. CASANOVA, J. Public religions in the modern world. Chicago and London: the University of Chicago Press; 1994. p.320. BERGER, P.A. Dessecularização do mundo: uma visão global. Religião & Sociedade 2001; 21(1): 9-23. |
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