Cultural adaptation situations.. God must want me to be diabetic...

Orizza · Oct 16, 2012

I'm terrified of these situations. God gave humanity the ability to control/treat diabetes? I'm not 100% sure how to say it nicely. A flaw I need to work on prior to entering school.

i♥words · Oct 16, 2012

Unfortunately I don't think he knows much about God. But...if you can gauge his "beliefs" you could say something like "God wants us to take care of our bodies," "the Bible says we are God's temple so we need to take care of ourselves," or something similar. I'm not exactly sure what policies are out there for/against talking to a patient about God, but it seems to me that if the patient starts the conversation then it would be all right to go along with their thinking.

ETA: Yes, my reply is very opinionated.

ClearBlueOctoberSky · Oct 16, 2012

To me, it sounds like the patient is trying to rationalize his current situation. This is a good place to practice your therapeutic communication. Instead of saying something like "God wants us to take care of our bodies," which could sound uncaring and ignorant towards the patient, try validating his feelings by repeating his statement back to him in the form of a question. "God wants you to be a diabetic?" Sometimes, this will elicit more information from the patient.

It could also be that your patient is confused about what to do or overwhelmed and doesn't know how to approach his disease process. You can also open conversation about how your patient is feeling about his condition by saying something along the lines of "Tell me more about how you feel about being a diabetic."

Despareux · Oct 16, 2012

Are you sure it's a cultural belief? Your patient may have financial concerns and is unable to afford his meds and healthy foods, but too proud to ask for help, so he may use God as an excuse. If it is a cultural belief, maybe you could find out more about why he believes God would want him to have diabetes. Maybe he feels like he is being punished and is deserving of his illness; if so, offer to set up counsel with a leader of his preferred religion.

MaumauMom · Oct 16, 2012

what do you say to this.. i had this in clinical today with a man that is diabetic and this was his excuse to having crazy and out of control diabetes. i need to know how i can handle this in a culturally-acceptable way. anyone have any suggestions?

Personally, I agree with his statement and I believe in God. However, God doesn't want you living for food or practicing gluttony. Let us help you manage this issue and God will help you be wiser in your food choices... I'm not sure what laws or rules/ regulations that are broken by this statement but I being a patient and wanting my care provider to be considerate on my belief... This is around what I would accept as acceptable .... My biggest concerns are atheist... I don't want to offend anyone ...and I'm praying ill be able to provide care without offending them with my belief. Good luck

itsmejuli · Oct 16, 2012

"God must want me to be a diabetic"

What was your reply to this? How did the rest of the conversation go?

You've left out a lot of information.

His statement sounds more like he's given up on life rather than a cultural issue.

Esme12, ASN, BSN, RN · Oct 17, 2012

what do you say to this.. i had this in clinical today with a man that is diabetic and this was his excuse to having crazy and out of control diabetes. i need to know how i can handle this in a culturally-acceptable way. anyone have any suggestions?

Is this a question asked of you by a patient? or is this a school question?

How to handle this in a culturally acceptable way one must one must know the patients culture? What is their religion? What culture is their background? What are their beliefs? Jehovah witness? Christian Scientist? Amish? Mennonnite? Hindu? Pagen?

I would ask them "What makes them think God wants them to be ill and not utilize the means available to keep them well?" I would engage clergy, family, and social services to help explore the options available to the patient.

Is this a true belief or a good excuse to be non compliant. Would all be what I would consider.

llg, PhD, RN · Oct 17, 2012

Patient: "God wants me to be a diabetic."

My probable responses:

1. "You believe God wants you to be diabetic?" "Why do you say that?" -- get more information

2. "Have you talked with your clergyman about that?" "What does your clergyman say about that?" - bring in another resource who the patient would trust and who would most likely encourage the patient to take better care of himself.

3. "Is that what your faith preaches?" "Does your faith not want you to treat your diabetes?" "Is there some aspect of your faith that prevents you from treating your diabetes?" -- get more information, but also gently challenge the patient to confront his use of his faith as an excuse not to better manage his condition

classicdame, MSN, EdD · Oct 17, 2012

God may want him to be diabetic, but that does not mean God wants him to be an uncontrolled diabetic. THe greatest testimony we have regarding our beliefs is how we live. Diabetes will kill you and then where is the testimony?

Shorty11, BSN, RN · Oct 18, 2012

Like another poster said.. I would respond with an open ended question rephrasing what the patient said like : "God wants you to be a diabetic? Why do you feel this way?"

Explore his/her feelings. Give them a chance to talk and see if there is something you can provide to make them feel better without overstepping your bounds.

I would also ask if there was any religious services we could offer to the patient like speaking to a chaplain, counselor, priest, etc.

Esme12, ASN, BSN, RN · Oct 18, 2012

I wouldn't use the word why.......I would ask...... What makes you feel this way?