Course Description

Hinduism, Buddhism, Sikhism and Jainism are among the rapidly growing religions in the U.S.A. According to estimates for the population of the USA in 2004, Hinduism is practiced by 1,081,051, Buddhism by 1,527,019, and Sikkism by 80,444 people in the USA. Though different, these religions are inextricably linked to each other and therefore, have a lot in common. The commonalities trace back to the time of birth of these religions whereby all originated in approximately the same geographic area that is, the Indian Subcontinent. These religions share similar basic beliefs & religious practices. Examples of these include cremation of the dead, belief in life after death, marital rituals, and religious celebrations. Because of these similarities, these religions have also earned the common title of “Dharmic” religions. Together, the followers of these Dharmic religions total over 1 Billion of the world’s population and over 2 Million of the U.S. population.

Hindus, Buddhists, Sikhs & Jains are now settled in many different countries outside of the Indian Subcontinent and therefore, have diverse cultural heritages related to their country of origin. However, for each of these dharmic religions the unifying force is religion for their respective devout followers, which has an overarching impact on their day-to-day living including medical decision-making, treatment, and care. As a result, many culturally diverse devout Hindus, Buddhists, Sikhs & Jains because of similarities in religious beliefs will have similar approaches to health care practices and decision-making. The Indic heritage of the practice of Yoga is widely recognized by physical therapists who may utilize yoga in patient care but may not be familiar with its history as a spiritual discipline. In addition, physical therapists may have patients who utilize Ayurvedic healing practices as an alternative approach to health care and may not be aware of their Indic origins.

Healthcare providers such as physical therapists (PTs) and physical therapist assistants (PTAs) who are unfamiliar with religious principles could interact with their devout Hindu, Buddhist, Sikh & Jain patients in certain ways that may interfere with the patient’s religious beliefs and practices. For example, PTs or PTAs may come into close physical contact with their patients during treatment sessions, or have patients take certain medications at prescribed times prior to treatment. PTs or PTAs may treat patients at scheduled times, or have certain body parts or hair exposed during treatment. PTs or PTAs may also administer patient treatment in a communal setting. All of these ways of providing care may pose opportunities for unintended conflict or discomfort for the devout Hindu, Buddhist, Sikh &/or Jain patient. PTs and PTAs caring for the devout Hindu, Buddhist, Sikh &/or Jain patients therefore face a great challenge: to handle each of these situations in a religiously appropriately manner.

Determining a culturally appropriate treatment plan requires PTs and PTAs to develop an understanding of the basic principles of dharmic religions of Hinduism, Buddhism, Sikhism & Jainism. This understanding must include the significance of the holy books such as “Bhagwad Geeta” for Hindus, “Grunth Sahib” for Sikhs, Pali Canon (Tripitakka) and numerous Mahayana sutras for Budddhists, and the sacred teachings of Mahavira for Jains. In addition, it is important for the physical therapy practitioner to understand and appreciate the role of Ram & Krishna, Guru Nanak, Siddharta Gautama & Mahavir in a Hindu’s, Sikh’s Buddhist’s & Jains’s way of life respectively. Knowing this information will assist PTs and PTAs in interpreting how the followers of these dharmic religions view birth, life and death. Those who understand these issues gain insights into certain religious beliefs and practices that impact medical treatment and care of a devout Hindu, Buddhist, Sikh & Jain patient such as prayer, diet and medication, modesty, privacy, gender issues, family rights, and visitation. In addition, participants will learn about the history of Yoga and Ayurveda as ancient Indic traditions that are currently popular as alternative therapies in New Age settings. Thus, PTs and PTAs who are equipped with an adequate understanding of the patient’s religion, health care practices, and preferences will indeed be able to render culturally competent, quality care to their patients.
 

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