Assessment of Interfaith Harmony Between Muslims and Hindus in Socio-Cultural Activities in Swat

This research work investigated the interfaith harmony and social cohesion between two different religious followers of Hinduism and Islam in District Swat of Pakistan. The current world is facing various kinds of issues and challenges regarding interfaith harmony, peace and social cohesion. This is need of the time to establish a peaceful and harmonised day to day life standard for all the segments of society. This research was an effort to analyse the willingness among the Hindus and Muslims for enhancing their tolerance towards each other’s social and cultural activities. It also aimed to highlight the positive approach of the respondents towards the participation in the socio-cultural activities of each other. The results of association of social cohesion showed nonsignificant relationship with an opinion that Hindu and Muslim communities should take part in socio-cultural activities particularly the sports. Similarly, non-significant relationship was found based respondents’ data with an opinion that relations between Hindus and Muslims shall enhanced through participation in cultural and religious ceremonies. The result further concluded that there was peaceful and harmonised environment between Hindus and Muslims being living in the target area. The minorities were fully enjoying freedom and equality in District Swat. Based on the findings of the study, positive social interaction, mutual respect, positivity in thinking and positive role of local media have been recommended as policy guidelines for promoting inter-faith harmony.

Communication Barriers in Medical Setting: A Sociolinguistic Analysis of Doctor Patient Medical Discourse

Doctor-patient medical discourse has not received much attention in the study of health care service delivery in Pakistan. Despite sophisticated technologies for medical diagnosis and treatment, communication remains the primary means by which the doctor and the patient exchange health information. While proper communication determines the quality of medical care, poor communication often results in misunderstanding, causing lack of compliance, dissatisfaction, and negative health outcome of the patients as well as an increased risk of malpractices. In view of this situation, this sociolinguistic study was designed to explore the status of doctor-patient medical discourse in government hospitals of district Rawalpindi. For conducting this study, both qualitative and quantitative approaches were used as well as extensive literature reviews, questionnaire surveys consisting of both open-ended and closed-ended questions for doctors, and structured interview with patients were also done. A survey from eight tehsils of district Rawalpindi was conducted. Following convenience sampling, 400 questionnaires were distributed among the doctors of eight tehsils of district Rawalpindi. Interviews of 24 patients were also conducted along with observation. The results showed how different factors such as l an guage, p atient''s health literacy and health awareness, doctors’ training in communication skills, listening comprehension, privacy, time of consultation affect the doctor-patient medical discourse. Therefore, it is strongly recommended that government should make training of communication skills mandatory for doctors. Hiring of interpreters/translators can also be helpful to overcome the miscommunication issues. There is need to appoint more doctors in government hospitals so that they may able to give ample time to each patient. More waiting areas should be allocated in hospitals which will make corridors less noisy. As a result, the doctors and the patients would be able to discuss issues in a better way. Local doctors are to be preferred for transfer at home stations.