Disabled Muslims Australia

Modesty in Medical Settings

It can be difficult for us to maintain our desired modesty and comfort during some medical procedures, examinations or tests. Being a hijabi myself who has a good deal of experience with medical procedures I have learned several handy ideas to make them more comfortable and retain the greatest modesty possible without causing difficulties with the medical procedure. Here are my dos and donts. Additions to these are most welcome.
 

Procedures requiring access to your arm eg blood tests, vaccinations, cannulas, blood pressure tests.

DON'T wear tight long sleeve shirts. These are often unable to be rolled up high enough without applying pressure to your arm. This can inhibit the procedure and cause injury. If you wear one you may have to take it off. Having bled through my clothes twice and being forced to remove my shirt once I learnt this the hard way. If your arm needs to be connected for a longer period, such as when being delivered medication or fluids through an IV, a tight shirt is likely to have to be removed or at least rolled up.
DO wear a loose top/abaya/dress that does not hug the skin and is able to be easily rolled up past the shoulder without applying pressure to your arm. This also allows you to cover your arm up again once an IV has been inserted.

 

Procedures requiring access to your head eg ear exams, operations (ANY operation regardless of the body part can require unexpected and urgent access to your head in an emergency)

DON'T wear a hijab that wraps around and is fastened by either pinning or tucking. These can inhibit access to your head and may need to be removed fully, or force to to partially undo it and hold the rest in place with your hands. In an emergency, such as in the operating theatre, it takes too long to unwrap, potentially resulting in serious injury, disability or death. They are also more fuss to fix once they have been moved or removed than hijabs that pull over your head. Who wants the additional awkwardness of fussing with your hijab and hairs poking out when you're in a doctor's office. Not me.
DO wear a hijab that is stretchy and simply pulls on over your head. They are easy to pull back to reveal only the part of your head required, such as your ears or neck. In an emergency they are quick and easy to remove, and in some instances may not need to be removed entirely, simply pulled back. I have found surgeons for most of my procedures have been happy for me to keep these hijabs on during operations, whilst expressing concerns for other types. This type of hijab is also quick and easy to fix after moving or removing it, saving awkward fussing.

 

Procedures needing access to areas between your belly button and knees eg catheter insertion, gynecological exams, pap smears

DO wear loose tops that come down to near your knees. This allows you to completely cover your top half and pull it up to reveal the area required.
DON'T wear a dress/jilbab/abaya without loose pants/a skirt and a loose shirt underneath. You will have to pull it up to reveal the area required, and may even have to remove it.
DO wear a loose skirt. In some cases you may be able to keep your skirt on and simply roll it up. Make sure it can comfortable roll up to fully reveal the area required without getting in the way.
DON'T wear a dress/abaya/jilbab if the procedure or examination only requires access to a higher area like the hips or bottom and you will not be required to move your legs apart. DO wear pants or a skirt in such cases. You can just pull them down a little instead of pulling up your dress/abaya/jilbab to reveal all of your legs.

 

MRI, X-Ray and other radiology

DON'T wear a hijab that needs a pin to fasten it. You are likely to have to remove it, depending on the type of scan and area being scanned.
DO take a long coat/abaya/jilbab that fastens at the front all the way to the bottom. For some scans you may be required to wear a special gown. If you ask you can generally wrap the coat/abaya/jilbab around you until you have entered the scan room itself. This way you limit the time you are uncovered, and only those within the scan room will see you.

 

Examinations/procedures involving your torso.

DO wear loose clothing. If the doctor/nurse needs to examine you or have access to your skin you need to be able to lift it comfortably so you don't need to take it off entirely.
DO wear a top that zips or buttons down the middle. That way you need only reveal the side required.
DONT wear a dress/abaya/jilbab without pants and a shirt underneath. If the doctor or nurse needs to examine or have access to your skin you will have to remove it or lift it and uncover your entire lower body. If you wear pants, or a skirt, and a top you need only uncover a much smaller area, keeping your lower half covered.

 

If you need to wear a special hospital or procedure gown

DO bring a long coat/abaya/jilbab that fastens at the front all the way to the bottom. There may be times when you can wrap it around you. These would generally be when you are waiting to be taken to the operating theatre or other room and when you go to the bathroom. This way you minimize the duration of time exposed and the number of people who see you.

 

Serious illness, injury or procedures

Some serious illness, injury or procedures can cause you to be unable, or not permitted, to get up and put clothes on. Having been in acute care before I know that in very serious situations doctors and nurses need to be able to get access to your body very quickly, hence why they would often ask you to wear a hospital gown that ties at the back and can be pulled off from the front.
DO understand that your safety comes first. If doctors and nurses need to lift you up and remove clothing precious time is wasted in an emergency, time that can mean the difference between life and serious illness or disability. It may be uncomfortable to feel this exposed, but it is a small price to pay to guard the precious gift of life.
DO bring a gown and wear it backwards, making sure it is not fastened securely at the back. This way it can be quickly removed but will cover your body more than a hospital robe will
DO bring a loose robe to wrap around you if you are permitted to get up to go to the toilet

 

Overnight hospital admissions

DO bring a loose and comfortable hijab that slips over your head and is made of breathable material (like cotton) with a bit of stretch in it. This will help you to be comfortable when sleeping whilst allowing your hair and skin to breathe a bit which is important if you won't be taking it off for some time.
DON'T wear a hijab that wraps around or requires pins. When you are sleeping you can easily stab yourself with a pin and could strangle yourself, cause your hijab to come undone and be in considerable discomfort.
DON'T wear a hijab that is thick, is wrapped several times, or is made of material that doesn't breathe very well. Since you won't be taking it off at all during the day or night heat and moisture will build up, creating a good environment for bacteria and fungi, as well being no good for your hair or skin.
DO bring loose, soft and comfortable clothes. Pants are best since it is easy for skirts or dresses to become tangled and make you uncomfortable or to move up to reveal parts of your body, especially during sleep. Long sleeve shirts are also ideal as they will cover all your top half without making you too hot.
DON'T wear clothes that are very loose. They will bunch underneath you and increase your risk of bed sores, as well as making you uncomfortable.
DO untie your hair and simply tuck it under your clothes and hijab if possible. Having your hair tied will make it difficult for you to lie down comfortably.

 

All examinations and procedures

DO speak up. Those working in the medical and disability fields are trained in how to respect and work with cultural and religious needs. However, views and needs differ greatly even between individuals of the same culture and faith. We also should expect that anyone other than Allah (swt) could have complete knowledge and wisdom. For these reasons we can not expect that medical professionals will understand our needs and views without being told. Most people want to provide the best care possible, and will be happy to try and find an acceptable solution that makes you comfortable. Speak up and let them know how you feel. It is helpful to give a brief explanation of why, not because you need an excuse (you don't), but because this will help them understand the issue better.
DON'T expect that what you want can always be given. Sometimes we must do things we are uncomfortable with out of necessity. See the next answer for the permissibility of this in Islam.
DON'T avoid an examination/procedure because you are uncomfortable with it or it involves something that is not permissible in usual circumstances, such as removing your hijab or being touched by a member of the opposite sex. Medical procedures and examinations are a necessity to protect and take care of the body Allah (swt) has gifted us with, as is our duty. As the Prophet Mohammed (pbuh) stressed, "your body also has a right over you" (Saheeh Al-Bukhari). Putting your health at risk by refusing medical care denies your body this right, and causes you to be careless and hurt the body Allah (swt) blessed you with. It also shows a lack of gratitude for the wonderful blessing of access to good health care. Many people are not so lucky. Allah (swt) does not want to place any hardship upon you (5:6, Al-Ma'idah, The Quran). As Muslims we know that what is forbidden becomes permissible in necessity. Medical care is a necessity as well as our duty to ourselves, and all those who rely upon us. Unveiling yourself or being treated by a male surgeon, doctor or nurse is permissible when it is necessary.

DO ask to speak to a supervisor or the complaints department if you feel that your needs aren't being met for unreasonable reasons

 

Written by Nicola Shebaily for Disabled Muslims Australia

Last updated: 18/09/2014