THE AMISH: NEGOTIATING OLD WAYS AND NEW

Course overview

Today, the Amish, also referred to as the Plain Community, are thriving. Today¿s Amish population of about 350,000 is expected to grow. It estimated that there were just 84,000 Amish in 1984, so the population has exploded in recent generations. Amish acceptance of modern medicine varies widely. Some have a family physician or nurse practitioner and regularly seek standard medical treatment while other families avoid seeking help from the medical establishment unless the situation is dire. The Amish will travel to nearby clinics or hospitals when needed, although the regionalization of healthcare facilities has influenced the drop in Amish use of medicine dramatically, as transportation can be arduous. This module provide nurses and dietitians an overview of specific values of the Amish culture to allow them to develop trusting relationships when Amish patients chose to seek professional help outside of their community.