Religious group, originated from the schism between the Anabaptistes, that emigrated to the United States of

America in the 17th and 18th centuries, after the protestant Reform. They owe their name to their founder Jacob Amman and live in small communities of 100 to 200 members. Their number is estimated at ± 300,0000 in the USA.

They live according to religious precepts under the authority of a local patriarch and refuse most of the technological advances: 18-19th century clothes, travel by horse-and-buggies, no electricity, no TV... They live in the countryside and practice agriculture or related businesses

Anesthetic implications: 

-        inbreeding: increased risk of rare syndromes that varies according to regions (ataxia-telangiectasia, Ellis-Van Crefeld syndrome, myotonic dystrophy, hemophilia)

-        practically no preventive medicine: check the vaccinations status

-        frequent use of herbs, teas or other "traditional" medications: risk of interaction with  some anesthetic agents

-        modesty: women often want to keep their kapp

-        simple way of life: increased sensitivity to anesthetic agents?

-        basic education: use simple terms and check the understanding of what was said

-        stoic character who can render  pain assessment difficult

References : 

-        Weller GER.
Caring for the Amish: what every anesthesiologist should know.
Anesth Analg 2017;124:1520-1528

Updated: May 2017