Seminar offers information on culture, religion and caring for Muslim patients

(CLEVELAND, OH, 5/17/06) –  The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-OHIO), Cleveland Office recently provided training to parish nurses affiliated with the Fairview, Lutheran, and Lakewood Hospitals, which are part of the Cleveland Clinic Health System.

The training entitled Cultural Competency: Understanding the Muslim Patient is part of a series of ongoing outreach efforts by CAIR-OHIO in the health care field. Recent healthcare-related seminars offered by the Cleveland office include the Hospice of the Western Reserve and Metro Health Hospital.

The Parish Nurse Program at Fairview Hospital is designed to meet the emotional, physical, and spiritual needs through a wholistic approach. Nurses who are part of the program work directly in their parish communities to provide health services and wellness information. Because many of their service areas encompassed members of the Muslim community, the nurses requested a seminar on how to provide culturally competent care to Muslim patients.

Dr. Shazia Khan, internal medicine specialist at MetroHealth Medical Center, led the training. CAIR also provided the publication “A Health Care Provider’s Guide to Islamic Religious Practices” as well as other materials on Islam and cultural sensitivity.

The program received many accolades and follow-up speaking requests.

Contact: Julia A. Shearson, Director, Cleveland Office, 216.830.2247, E-Mail: events@cleveland.cair.com; Dr. Asma Mobin-Uddin, President, CAIR-OHIO, 614.451.3232, E-Mail: asma@cair-ohio.com.

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