Biomedical treatment and divine assistance: complementary reproductive itineraries among catholic women users of assisted reproduction technology in Argentina

Spiritual Articulation and Conscientious Objection: Dynamics of Religious Diversity Management in Healthcare Practices in Argentina

“…Some research, attentive to the intersections between religion, health, and politics, has delved into the interventions in the public debate on managing health and the body in the name of various religious confessions, giving rise to political-religious activism (Felitti and Irrazábal 2018;Johnson 2018;Carbonelli and Griera 2016;Defago et al 2021). Along these lines, various analyses show that religions are authoritative voices in health matters and part of a space for exchange between religious, medical, and scientific actors where issues of sexuality and reproduction are discussed, especially contraception, abortion, and assisted fertilization (Felitti and Irrazábal 2018;Olmos Álvarez and Johnson 2022).…”

“…Consequently, the growing religious diversity of the Argentinean population is not reflected in the management and organization of spiritual care (Irrazábal 2018). This discrepancy gives rise to tensions in healthcare practice concerning treatments contrary to religious beliefs, requests for alternative therapies, and dietary restrictions for religious reasons (Irrazábal 2018;Saizar 2006;Olmos Álvarez and Johnson 2022). These tensions often lead to discussions of conscientious objection, involving both patients' refusal of treatment and healthcare professionals' refusal to perform certain practices, as seen in Ana María Acevedo's case.…”

“…These catholic chaplains receive a salary as public servants and their jobs are supported by local governments (Irrazábal 2018). Amidst this, patients engage in spiritual practices during various treatments, often clashing with conventional biomedical practices (Olmos Álvarez and Johnson 2022). This situation underscores the connections between beliefs and health, highlighting the need for inclusive approaches to religious diversity management in healthcare environments.…”