New research from BIMA and Equi exploring faith and cultural literacy within the NHS has been featured in The BMJ.
The research draws on 31 in depth interviews with healthcare professionals and health inequalities experts, alongside a BIMA survey of 54 Muslim healthcare staff. It highlights how greater understanding of faith could support better patient care and improve the experiences of staff working across the NHS.
All those surveyed believed that understanding a patient’s faith needs could improve health outcomes, yet only two respondents felt fully equipped with the training and knowledge needed to meet those needs.
The findings also raise important concerns about the experiences of Muslim healthcare professionals. 74% said they occasionally or regularly experienced discrimination because of their faith, while 60% felt their faith was a barrier to career progression.
The research calls for greater faith and cultural literacy across the NHS, helping healthcare professionals understand the communities they serve while creating more inclusive working environments for staff.