Cultural Competency - Multicultural Health Generalizations: Amish
Amish Health Care Beliefs and Practices
- The Amish believe all life is given and taken by God and their beliefs tell them to accept God's will as it is.
- The Amish prefer to give birth at home and to die at home.
- The elderly believe in rationing care near the end of life because they do not want to waste the community's/church's money.
- Disability is generally feared more than death. If treatment is refused by the Amish patient, be sure to thoroughly educate him/her if disability from his/her illness is a potential possibility.
- Amish couples are usually not deterred from having more children when they have a child with a heredity defect. A child with disabilities is referred to as a special child and is accepted as God's will.
- The Amish do not forbid the use of modern medical care. If deemed necessary, they can have surgical procedures, dental work, anesthesia and blood transfusions.
- Organ transplants are permitted with the exception of heart transplants (the heart is the soul of the body).
- They usually do not have health insurance as it is a "worldly product" and may show a lack of faith in God.
- Most Amish need to have church (bishop, community) permission to be hospitalized, as it is the community who will come together to help pay the costs.
- The Amish generally do not like to be seen by a health care provider who is in the "learning process". The Amish believe if they are going to pay out-of-pocket for their care, they want to be seen by an experienced practicing provider.
- Speak to both the husband and wife regarding health care decisions; they consider themselves as partners in family life.
Source: Lee, D. (2005) Our Amish Neighbors: Providing Culturally Competent Care Multicultural Health Series. Videotape and handout available from the UMHS, PMCH, Cultural Competency Division.
