Customer Reviews

Hospital Handbook on Multiculturalism and Religion

5 star:		(3)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I am a hospice chaplain and pastor. I have found the book to be helpful in providing a very basic overview of some of the major cultural customs and beliefs regarding health and illness. Kirkwood, a protestant Christian chaplain, touches on the surface of some of the major facets of a broad sampling of religions and what they believe about health and illness. My main criticism of the book is that it does not give a thorough, or entirely accurate portrayal of all the different religious cultures that Kirkwood claims to address. There is such a plurality of beliefs and customs- even within one faith tradition, that a book of this scope is grossly inadequate, even for lay readers. You WILL learn some basic, very general guidelines- for instance general dietary concerns, attitudes towards autopsies and transfusions,etc. My greatest fear with this book is that healthcare professionals- or even chaplains will pick it up or another book like it and after reading it think that they know what a patient or family member would want based on what religious background they are affiliated with. Your best resource for understanding a patient or family member's needs- religious or otherwise is still TO ASK THEM. The best way to understand another person's cultural beliefs is to allow them to educate us. Anton Boisen, the pioneer of modern Clinical Pastoral Education, once said that we are all "living human documents." In other words, general cultural knowledge is well and good, but it can NEVER relieve us, as caring professionals of the responsibility to properly inform, and learn the needs of those whom we serve- namely patients and family members. Ask them what their needs are, inform them properly, and give them the autonomy and respect they deserve.

I am a hospice chaplain and pastor. I have found the book to be helpful in providing a very basic overview of some of the major cultural customs and beliefs regarding health and illness. Kirkwood, a protestant Christian chaplain, touches on the surface of some of the major facets of a broad sampling of religions and what they believe about health and illness. My main criticism of the book is that it does not give a thorough, or entirely accurate portrayal of all the different religious cultures that Kirkwood claims to address. There is such a plurality of beliefs and customs- even within one faith tradition, that a book of this scope is grossly inadequate, even for lay readers. You WILL learn some basic, very general guidelines- for instance general dietary concerns, attitudes towards autopsies and transfusions,etc. My greatest fear with this book is that healthcare professionals- or even chaplains will pick it up or another book like it and after reading it think that they know what a patient or family member would want based on what religious background they are affiliated with. Your best resource for understanding a patient or family member's needs- religious or otherwise is still TO ASK THEM. The best way to understand another person's cultural beliefs is to allow them to educate us. Anton Boisen, the pioneer of modern Clinical Pastoral Education, once said that we are all "living human documents." In other words, general cultural knowledge is well and good, but it can NEVER relieve us, as caring professionals of the responsibility to properly inform, and learn the needs of those whom we serve- namely patients and family members. Ask them what their needs are, inform them properly, and give them the autonomy and respect they deserve.

There are times when dealing with someone facing a major illness or death that a wall comes up between the professional care-giver and the person. Without knowing it, the care-giver may have crossed over into a taboo discussion area. Or the person may be stressed over having a religious rule violated. This book will be a great help to anyone who serves people of different faiths and cultures in times of crisis. Judaism, Buddhism, Hinduism, Islam, Japanese faiths,and the Baha'i are some of the faiths covered with sensitivity and respect. Practical, useable information is passed on in a succinct, very readable style. For a little book, it packs a lot. Highly, highly recommended.

As a director of nurses, I found this book to be an invaluable tool when teaching staff about cultural diversity. I attached this convienently pocket-sized book in nursing manuals on all of our patient care areas. This book covers most of the demographic populations that we serve. I highly recommend this book for healthcare workers in today's ever changing climate!

Had some good information for such a little pocket sized book, but pretty limited as far as the number of cultures/religious groups that were covered.

Neville Kirkwood's 130-page paperback "A Hospital Handbook on Multiculturalism and Religion" (2005) is a religions quick study for the care providing industry. The pocket-sized book is helpful in a number of ways.

First, Pastor Neville presents the principle responses care providers should make to devotees of the world's main religions. Next, he addresses the professional's need for understanding religious beliefs related to dietary rules, modesty, communicating diagnosis, abortion, handling the dead, and much more. Finally, he convinces that understanding another's basic spiritual needs helps the healing process.

The ease with which Rev. Kirkwood speaks suggests his long chaplaincy experience with each of the reviewed religions. His points are quickly and well made. For those who know little knowledge of Jainism, Japanese religion, Buddhism, and others this is a good entry-level text. Kirkwood, also, informs about the better-known faiths Christianity, Islam, and Judaism.

The downside of this small text is its size. Much of the chaplain's discussion only touches on the peripheral edge of religion belief and meaning. Health care professionals will not, from this book, be well versed nor have even a working knowledge of worldwide religions. The best one can hope for here is only the briefest introductions. Perhaps, such exposure is better than no exposure.

Additionally, Chaplain Kirkwood makes the argument that healthcare organizations should be sensitive (to the point of changing their standards of care) to avoid possible socio-religious offence. Is such politically correct appeasement really necessary for healing and preserving life? Kirkwood's reasoning about this is not clear, nor convincing.

This book is recommended to all novice care providers, seminarians, and anyone beginning a career in religious healthcare.

Very useful for health care practitioners and Hospital Chaplains who need an easily assessible answer to common areas of Spiritual concern for various faith groups. I showed my fellow Chaplain Interns this book and they are all ordering it.