Dilemma of nurses in assisted medical practices against Islamic principles

• Main Author: Ahayalimudin, Nurul'Ain
• Format: Article
• Language: English; English
• Published: Universiti Putra Malaysia 2021
• Subjects: RT Nursing
• Online Access: http://irep.iium.edu.my/116782/13/116782_Dilemma%20of%20nurses%20in%20assisted%20medical%20practices%20against%20Islamic%20principles.pdf; http://irep.iium.edu.my/116782/7/116782_Dilemma%20of%20nurses%20in%20assisted%20medical%20practices.pdf; http://irep.iium.edu.my/116782/; https://medic.upm.edu.my/our_journal/volume_17_2021/mjmhs_vol17_supp_5_august_2021-62593

Nurses, as the largest proportion of healthcare discipline, are always left perplexed in having to assist physician despite the medical procedures that sometimes against Islamic practices, for instance, assisting in prohibited abortion or physician-assisted dying (euthanasia). This article aims to provide an academic review of the dilemma faced by nurses in assisted medical practices against Islamic principles. A literature search was conducted using the Google Scholar database until the year 2019. The literature selected were written in English using Keywords of nurses, abortion, physician-assisted dying, euthanasia, organ transplant, ethical issue, ethical dilemma, legal and Islamic principles. The search also includes related verses in the Al-Qur’an that associated with the practices. The searched articles were analysed accordingly to identify the perspectives from Islamic principles in regard to those medical practices. Most of the articles highlight the medical procedures that go against Islamic or religious practices as a debatable issue. Despite the debates, the nurses are still facing a constant dilemma in carrying their professional duties as there is no consensus concerning the ban of unethical procedures in some countries. The medical practices against Islamic principles have been highlighted in line with the dilemma of fulfilling the nurses’ professional code of practice. It is hoped the dilemma faced by the nurses are heard by medical practitioners, policymakers and religious leaders.