Common bond. On the limitations of a shared faith.

There is a special feeling I get when I walk into a room and encounter a Muslim patient. I see warmth and immediate trust in their eyes. No matter what language you speak or what country you call home, sharing something as personal as religion creates an instant bond. As an Arab-American Muslim woman, I am acutely aware of the fact that I am in a unique position to build rapport with Muslim patients, to engender trust and understanding. I’ve felt this on every one of my rotations, but I became especially aware of it in obstetrics and gynecology, where the sensitivity of the subject matter makes it difficult to truly put patients at ease. Even so, having such a connection doesn’t ensure a patient will follow your advice.