Cultural competencies and tips to keep in mind when in- teracting with Muslim patients

Abstract

Muslims make up a significant portion of the world population, with an estimate of 1.8 billion people as of 2015. According to the 2011 Canadian census, Muslims make up 3.2% of the Canadian population. As future physicians, many of us will encounter Muslims in our practice. Muslims come from different ethnicities and speak different languages. It is, therefore, essential to be conscious of core cultural values and practices commonly held by Muslims. This article will highlight cultural competencies and tips to keep in mind when interacting with Muslim patients.