Spiritual and Alternative Healthcare Practices of the Amish

Sharpnack, Patricia A.; Griffin, Mary T. Quinn; Benders, Alison M.; Fitzpatrick, Joyce J.

doi:10.1097/hnp.0b013e3181d39ade

Cited by 15 publications

(15 citation statements)

References 28 publications

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“…The use of herbal products and nutritional supplements reflects their belief in the provision of God to give them what they need to be healthy, as well as their caution about using mainstream medicine. This finding is consistent with those of previous studies that noted Anabaptist community members often sought to limit drug use and rely on natural products to prevent or treat illnesses (Garrett-Wright et al, 2016;Sharpnack et al, 2010). This finding is also congruent with a survey conducted by Rohr et al (2019) that found only about 36% of participants sought out doctors as an important source of information on health issues.…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 91%

“…In a study by Gesink and colleagues (2017), a strong interest in basic health tenets such as obtaining adequate sleep and maintaining a good diet were reported. Other authors have noted the predisposition of Anabaptists to use herbal products and supplements to prevent and treat illness instead of seeking formal health care services (Gingrich & Lightman, 2006;Sharpnack et al, 2010). Anabaptists seek to maintain their health so they can continue to work and be active in their community (Armer & Radina, 2006;Fisher, 2002).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Health Care Providers' Understanding of Health Care Beliefs and Preferences in Anabaptist Communities

Garrett-Wright

Main

Jones

2020

JPAC

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Anabaptist communities are among the fastest growing communities in the United States. Reviews of medical and sociological literature consistently demonstrate that members of Anabaptist communities hold health care beliefs and preferences that differ from the mainstream culture. However, the professional health care literature is lacking in information regarding health care providers' understanding of health care beliefs and preferences in Anabaptist groups. The purpose of this study was to explore the understanding of Anabaptist patients' health care beliefs and preferences as well as lessons learned from providers who have experience delivering health care for this culturally diverse population. A qualitative descriptive approach was used to collect data with a sample of health care providers (N = 18) selected via purposive sampling. The study participants provided informed consent to be interviewed and videotaped responding to a set of semi-structured interview questions. The videotaped interviews were transcribed before thematic analysis was conducted independently and then collectively by a group of three researchers familiar with Anabaptist health care practices. Through thematic analysis, seven themes were identified among the participants relating to their understanding of the beliefs and preferences of Anabaptist community members they served.

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Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 91%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Health Care Providers' Understanding of Health Care Beliefs and Preferences in Anabaptist Communities

Garrett-Wright

Main

Jones

2020

JPAC

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“…Anabaptist populations generally prefer to prevent or treat health problems with home remedies and herbal products (Gingrich and Lightman 2006). In one study, 85% of subjects reported the use of alternative healthcare practices with supplements or herbal products (Sharpnack, Griffin, Benders, and Fitzpatrick 2010). However, Anabaptist community members are willing to seek professional medical help from English communities when needed (Gingrich and Lightman 2006) with many Old Order communities utilizing modern medical services and alternative treatments concurrently (Wenger 1995).…”

Section: Background Literaturementioning

confidence: 99%

Anabaptist Community Members' Perceptions and Preferences Related to Healthcare

Wright¹,

Martin²,

Jones³

2017

Journal of Amish and Plain Anabaptist Studies

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The plain Anabaptists are thought to differ from mainstream U.S. health care beliefs and practices. Many non-Anabaptist health care providers have limited knowledge of the specific health beliefs and preferences of Anabaptists, which can lead to misunderstandings. The purpose of this descriptive qualitative study was to collect information from Anabaptist community members related to health care beliefs and preferences in their communities. Participants, who were members of various plain Anabaptist communities, completed a questionnaire containing openended questions about health issues. Seven themes emerged in results: (1) health viewed as a gift from God that provides the ability to work; (2) concern about exposure to chemicals and food additives as health risks; (3) the use of a variety of resources from lay members in the community in addition to seeking information from professionals; (4) the desire to use natural remedies first with outside care being sought when deemed necessary; (5) barriers to seeking professional healthcare as mainly related to cost, time, and provider attitudes; (6) maintaining a good diet, being active, and having good dental care as important preventative activities; and (7) expectation of respect, engagement, and care from providers.

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“…The term Gelassenheit, meaning yielding to God's authority, guides Amish behaviors (Weyer et al, 2003). Other research with Amish communities support the heavy influence of their faith in God on their health beliefs and decisions (Gerdner, Tripp-Reimer, & Sorofman, 2002;Sharpnack, Griffin, Benders, & Fitzpatrick, 2010). Families in this study recognized that the ultimate fate of a child's health is in the hands of God rather than the health care system.…”

Section: Presence Of God In Health Decisionsmentioning

confidence: 66%

“…Previous research supports that Amish families use vitamin and herbal remedies, in addition, to the use of manual healing, such as chiropractic and reflexology, or "powwowing" referring to the use of words or charms by an Amish healer called a brauche (Blair & Hurst, 1997;Gerdner, Tripp-Reimer, & Sorofman, 2002;Sharpnack, Griffin, Benders, & Fitzpatrick, 2010;von Gruenigen et al, 2001;Wenger & Wenger, 2003). This study supports the use of home remedies as well as manual healing treatments such as chiropractic and reflexology.…”

Section: Using Folk and Popular Remedies As Treatmentmentioning

confidence: 99%

Amish family care for children with chronic illnesses

Kueny¹

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READER of the JOURNAL recently asked the following As regards the use of the word cmmc, why do we so often find a partitive where one would naturally expect a general noun? We fmd,-"Il fait comme Zes grands seigneurs." T h i s seems natural, but in one recent text I find,-"I1 est fragile c o m e dzc verre," and in another,-"Si les grenouilles dtaient grosses comme des bceufs, elles seraient bien laides." Surely all "verre" is "fragile" and all "bceufs" "gros" to a "grenouille." Just below this latter

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Spiritual and Alternative Healthcare Practices of the Amish

Cited by 15 publications

References 28 publications

Health Care Providers' Understanding of Health Care Beliefs and Preferences in Anabaptist Communities

Health Care Providers' Understanding of Health Care Beliefs and Preferences in Anabaptist Communities

Anabaptist Community Members' Perceptions and Preferences Related to Healthcare

Amish family care for children with chronic illnesses

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