What all physicians need to know about Ramadan and its clinical implications

As Ramadan begins, what should you know as you care for your patients with mental health problems?

In episode 13 of Quick Takes  Dr. Gratzer hosts Drs. Juveria Zaheer and Zainab Furqan in an insightful conversation on impact of Ramadan on our patients’ care.

Drawing on their clinical experience and the literature, Drs. Zaheer and Furqan provide insights and suggestions for treating Muslim patients. What mental disorders may be particularly affected by Ramadan? How should medication regiments change in light of fasting? How might you start a discussion with one of your patients? With over 1.7 billion Muslims in the world – and about 80% of North American Muslims actively fasting – they discuss the conversations that you may have with your patients; their comments are enlivened with patient stories. And, yes, they share a few warm, personal memories.

During this insightful conversation the guest physicians discuss the following:

The surprising lack of resources they found when researching this topic for their Lancet paperHow to foster culturally safe care by acknowledging Ramadan and opening up the conversation with your patients whose treatment may be impacted by timing or foodSome possible talking points to go over with your patients who want to fully participate in this celebration: “Do you generally fast? Were you planning to fast this year? What does fasting mean for you?” and “I know Ramadan is coming up. What are your thoughts on the medications you're taking?”The obvious mental health and addiction issues impacted by fasting and changing sleep cycles as well as some you may not initially consider.

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Quick Takes is a production of the Center for Addiction and Mental Health. You can find links to the relevant content mentioned in the show and accessible transcripts of all the episodes we produce online at CAMH.ca.

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