Religious Control of Patient

Abstract

A 20 year old orthodox Jewish student with congenital renal disease had several seizures which were attributed to advanced uremia but persisted in postponing dialytic therapy on the advice of his rabbi. When confronted with his rapidly declining weight and loss of muscle mass, the patient stated that all decisions pertaining to the management of his kidney failure were to be made by his religious leader. Telephone contact with the clergyman confirmed the reality that customary sect behavior called for dominant participation by the patient’s rabbi. Previously, the rabbi, who was reluctant to employ dialysis, preferred to wait as long as possible to"avoid artificial means of healing.” The Chief of Nephrology at the university hospital caring for the patient after his seizures rejected the rabbi as intermediary and advised that unless the patient and his immediate family were free to meet with the medical staff and plan a course of therapy, he would ask the patient to transfer to another facility.