I am doing a diversity report and one of the questions ask how a standard hospital procedure might be upsetting to someone in the Mormon community. Thank you for your time.
3 Responses to “I am doing a diversity report and one of the questions ask h…”
Jorge Santana
2009-10-26 03:39:43
Hi friend. I'm happy to hear that your school encourages cultural competency. I think that's excellent. I happen to be a medical student, so your question is important to me. Fortunately, I can think of no standard hospital procedures that would be particularly offensive to Mormons. Mormons have embraced modern medicine.
Some people confuse Mormons with Jehovah's Witnesses. My understanding is that Jehovah's Witnesses refuse blood transfusions. Mormons interpret the Bible differently, however; we have no reservations about accepting blood transfusions when needed.
Hope this helps. Let me know if you have any additional questions.
Pamela Dean
2009-10-26 13:26:03
As a female member, there are certain things that occur at doctor's offices and hospitals that some female members are not comfortable with. Without going into the specifics, breast and pelvic exams, mammograms, and standard labour and birth procedures are some of those. As LDS women we are taught that no one is to touch us in places our garments cover, nor are we to be uncovered in front of anyone but our husbands. Standard medical care prefers that the procedures listed above are performed in a state of complete undress with just hospital gowns or paper sheets. Anecdotally, there are stories of LDS women having their garments cut off of them during labour, even when wearing garments designed for this purpose. This is not only upsetting to those involved, but is insensitive as well. Personally, I know a woman in a ward I was once in who gave birth in her parents' basement with just her husband because she did not want to suffer the indiginity of the closest hospital's birthing practices, which included having multiple women giving birth in the same room among other things.
Webmaster: Very good point, Pamela, though I think many non-Mormon women also find these kinds of exams uncomfortable.
Pamela Dean
2009-11-01 12:41:12
Thanks, webmaster. :) I would heartily agree. However, for us LDS women there is the added component of the sacredness of temple covenants that we've made. I didn't like going to the doctor before I became a member either, but back then it was because of the coldness and aloofness and the feeling that my body was just being treated as a thing rather than an intimate and personal part of me. Since I've been a member, however, there are added things that bother me. If I undress as requested then I feel I am breaking my covenants. If I do not undress completely, then I risk the doctor seeing my garments. As for childbirth, I feel for those sisters who have given birth and wanted to keep the protection offered by their garments, only to have them callously removed. Childbirth, though beautiful and rewarding, is one of the scariest events in a woman's life, and to be dealing with a lack of respect for religious beliefs at the same time can be traumatizing.
Some people confuse Mormons with Jehovah's Witnesses. My understanding is that Jehovah's Witnesses refuse blood transfusions. Mormons interpret the Bible differently, however; we have no reservations about accepting blood transfusions when needed.
Hope this helps. Let me know if you have any additional questions.
Webmaster: Very good point, Pamela, though I think many non-Mormon women also find these kinds of exams uncomfortable.
Webmaster: Very interesting. Thanks, Pamela.