Race and religious issues at the GP surgery

Training for GPs in race and religious issues

Whilst most GPs are aware of some of the particular needs of certain ethnic or faith groups, few will have had any formal training, and often it’s only personal knowledge and experience which informs they way they approach people of different cultures. So, don’t assume your doctor to know your beliefs, practices or needs, or how you'll respond to their offer of treatments or further management.

There are some specifics that are better known to most GPs, such as:

• The issue of contraception in certain religions such as Catholicism
• The conviction of Jehovah’s Witnesses not to accept blood products
• The refusal of certain Christian groups to have their children vaccinated
• The part that Ramadan plays in the Islam faith and its effect, perhaps on medicine taking regimens

However it will be easier for your GP and for you if you've any issues to make them clear as they arise.

Conversely there are the GPs own culture and beliefs which may affect their approach and medical decision making. GPs are taught to be aware of this and to try to not let it affect their care of their patients, but if their faith doesn’t allow them to offer certain treatments, for example termination of pregnancy, they must declare this and give you the opportunity to see another doctor. Often patients become aware of who of the local GPs share the same religious views as themselves and tend to register with that practice.

Another area affected by culture and religion is spirituality. Doctors, as a whole, stick to the physicality of disease, whether of body or mind, and avoid discussing the spiritual side of illness. Probably because they don’t feel it’s their remit, they aren’t comfortable with it, and often simply don’t have the time, and yet spirituality comes into health and well-being and at certain times, particularly at the end of life, is a big factor in a patients approach to their problems.

We're getting to better understand the importance of spirituality and the holistic approach to our patients is one of the goals of most medical practitioners, although the reality is that time and training restraints don’t allow greater support.

Visiting the doctor

Similarly, language can present a barrier to a good consultation with your GP. If English is not your first language, be prepared and bring a family member, friend, or community advisor who speaks better English to speak for you and interpret, as well as explaining clearly on your behalf for you if you've other religious or cultural issues which affect your approach to medical care.

Doctors do have some access to translators but the service is very limited and often needs to be booked in advance. You may also simply prefer to have someone whom you are close to, as by interpreting they will be, or will become, aware of your medical problems. However, your doctor will have access, in the surgery, or on the internet, to leaflets about your condition, in a range of languages, so ask for further information that you can take away and understand. Prepare by getting your request written down and bring it with you, or tell your interpreter before you arrive what you think you might need to know.

Most surgeries now have a mix of male and female GPs – so if your culture doesn't allow you to see a member of the opposite sex, or be examined by them, ask for an appointment with a specific doctor. If the doctor needs to examine you, ask for a chaperone if that’s what you need. Usually one of the practices nurses will take this role.

Medicines

Often GPs are asked by patients to prescribe medicines that are only available in their home country, or are known by a different name. It helps your doctor if you can bring the packet, or find out its chemical name, and the GP will try to ensure continuity by prescribing the same medication, but be prepared for the fact that a UK GP may not be able to prescribe the same medication, if it’s not licensed in the UK. On most occasions there will be a near equivalent, but not always.