Medical encounters in "closed religious communities" : palliative care for Low German-Speaking Mennonite people
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Date
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Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Lethbridge, Alta. : University of Lethbridge, Dept. of Anthropology and Health Sciences, 2011
Abstract
This multi-sited ethnography focuses on beliefs and practices associated with death,
dying, and palliative care among the Low German-Speaking (LGS) Mennonites. The
qualitative data, collected through participant-observation fieldwork and interviews
conducted in three LGS Mennonite communities in Mexico and Canada, show a gap
between official definitions of palliative care and its practice in real life. The LGS
Mennonites’ care for their dying members, in reality, is integrated into their community
lives that emphasize or reinforce discipleship by promoting the practices of mutual aid,
social networks, and brotherhood/sisterhood among community members. This study
also offers ethnographic insights into some difficulties that healthcare providers face
while delivering the “holistic” palliative care services to their patients in general, and to
the LGS Mennonites in particular. Finally, it provides some suggestions that may aid
healthcare providers in developing culturally safe and competent health care services
for the LGS Mennonite people living in Canada.
Description
xi, 231 leaves ; 29 cm
Keywords
Mennonites -- Health and hygiene -- Canada, Mennonites -- Health and hygiene -- Mexico, Mennonites -- Social life and customs -- Canada, Mennonites -- Social life and customs -- Mexico, Palliative treatment -- Canada -- Religious aspects, Palliative treatment -- Mexico -- Religious aspects, Death -- Religious aspects, Dissertations, Academic