Ariane Lewis1, Elizabeth Kitamura2, Aasim I Padela3,4,5. 1. Division of Neurocritical Care, Departments of Neurology and Neurosurgery, NYU Langone Medical Center, 530 First Avenue HCC-5A, New York, NY, 10016, USA. ariane.kansas.lewis@gmail.com. 2. Department of Spiritual Care, NYU Langone Medical Center, 545 First Avenue GBH C-015, New York, NY, 10016, USA. 3. The University of Chicago, 5841 S. Maryland Avenue, MC 5068, Chicago, IL, 60637, USA. 4. Maclean Center for Clinical Medical Ethics, The University of Chicago, 5841 S. Maryland Avenue, MC 5068, Chicago, IL, 60637, USA. 5. Divinity School, The University of Chicago, 5841 S. Maryland Avenue, MC 5068, Chicago, IL, 60637, USA.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: We sought to evaluate how Muslim allied healthcare professionals view death by neurologic criteria (DNC). METHODS: We recruited participants from two listservs of Muslim American health professionals to complete an online survey questionnaire. Survey items probed views on DNC and captured professional and religious characteristics. Comparative statistical analyses were performed after dichotomizing the sample based on religiosity, and Chi-squared, Fisher's exact tests, likelihood ratios and the Kruskal-Wallis test were used to assess differences between the two cohorts. RESULTS: There were 49 respondents (54%) in the less religious cohort and 42 (46%) in the more religious cohort. The majority of respondents (84%) believed that if the American Academy of Neurology guidelines are followed and a person is declared brain dead, they are truly dead; there was no difference on this view based on religiosity. Less than a quarter of respondents believed that outside of organ donation, mechanical ventilation, hydration, nutrition or medications should be continued after DNC; again, there was no difference based on religiosity of the sample. Importantly, half of all respondents believed families should be able to choose whether an evaluation for DNC is performed (40% of the less religious cohort and 60% of the more religious cohort, p = 0.09) and whether organ support is discontinued after DNC (49% of both cohorts, p = 1). CONCLUSIONS: Although the majority of allied Muslim healthcare professionals we surveyed believe DNC is death, half believe that families should be able to choose whether an evaluation for DNC is performed and whether organ support should be discontinued after DNC. This provides insight that can be helpful when making medical practice policy and addressing legal controversies surrounding DNC.
BACKGROUND: We sought to evaluate how Muslim allied healthcare professionals view death by neurologic criteria (DNC). METHODS: We recruited participants from two listservs of Muslim American health professionals to complete an online survey questionnaire. Survey items probed views on DNC and captured professional and religious characteristics. Comparative statistical analyses were performed after dichotomizing the sample based on religiosity, and Chi-squared, Fisher's exact tests, likelihood ratios and the Kruskal-Wallis test were used to assess differences between the two cohorts. RESULTS: There were 49 respondents (54%) in the less religious cohort and 42 (46%) in the more religious cohort. The majority of respondents (84%) believed that if the American Academy of Neurology guidelines are followed and a person is declared brain dead, they are truly dead; there was no difference on this view based on religiosity. Less than a quarter of respondents believed that outside of organ donation, mechanical ventilation, hydration, nutrition or medications should be continued after DNC; again, there was no difference based on religiosity of the sample. Importantly, half of all respondents believed families should be able to choose whether an evaluation for DNC is performed (40% of the less religious cohort and 60% of the more religious cohort, p = 0.09) and whether organ support is discontinued after DNC (49% of both cohorts, p = 1). CONCLUSIONS: Although the majority of allied Muslim healthcare professionals we surveyed believe DNC is death, half believe that families should be able to choose whether an evaluation for DNC is performed and whether organ support should be discontinued after DNC. This provides insight that can be helpful when making medical practice policy and addressing legal controversies surrounding DNC.
Authors: George Skowronski; Anil Ramnani; Dianne Walton-Sonda; Cynthia Forlini; Michael J O'Leary; Lisa O'Reilly; Linda Sheahan; Cameron Stewart; Ian Kerridge Journal: BMC Med Ethics Date: 2021-12-18 Impact factor: 2.652
Authors: Krishanu Chatterjee; Mohamed Y Rady; Joseph L Verheijde; Richard J Butterfield Journal: J Intensive Care Med Date: 2021-02-22 Impact factor: 3.510