Muslim American physicians' experiences with, and views on, religious discrimination and accommodation in academic medicine

Abstract

Objective: To assess Muslim physician experiences with religious discrimination and identify strategies for better accommodating Muslim identity in health care.

Data sources and study setting: Interviews were conducted with Muslim physicians from three US-based Muslim clinician organizations between June and August 2021.

Study design: In-depth, semi-structured qualitative interviews used a phenomenological approach to describe experiences of religious discrimination and accommodation. A team-based framework approach to coding was used to inductively generate themes from interview data.

Data collection/extraction methods: Physicians from the Islamic Medical Association of North America, American Muslim Health Professionals, and the US Muslim Physicians group were invited to participate using closed organizational listservs. Inclusion criteria sought English-speaking, self-identifying Muslims with current or past affiliation with a university hospital in the United States. Potential participants were segmented into groups based on responses to questions about perceived religious discrimination and accommodation. Purposive sampling was used to iteratively approach participants within these groups in order to capture a diverse respondent pool. Interviews stopped after thematic saturation was reached.

Principal findings: Eighteen physicians (11 women and 7 men; mean age: 41.5 [standard deviation = 12.91] years) were interviewed. Nearly all (n = 16) held Islam to be important in their lives. Three overarching themes, with several subthemes, emerged. Participants (1) struggled to maintain religious practices and observances due to unaccommodating organizational structures; (2) experienced religious discrimination, which, in turn, impacted their professional trajectories and, at times, their personal well-being; and (3) believed that institutions could implement specific educational and policy interventions to advance the religious accommodation of Muslims in health care.

Conclusions: Muslim physicians frequently encounter religious discrimination, yet there are concrete ways in which health care workplaces can better accommodate their religious needs and combat discrimination. To improve workforce diversity, equity, and inclusion, educational forums and policies that support the religious practices of physicians need to be established.

Keywords: Islam; accommodation; diversity; inclusion; prejudice.