Table 4.
Study author(s)/publication year/country | Religion(s) studied | Methodology | Population studied | Sample size | Major findings |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Charlier et al., 2013, France | Christianity | Questionnaire survey | French monks | 30 | 20% were opposed to autopsy of their direct relatives; 13% considered modern embalming or formaldehyde-based conservation processes as contranatural |
Selby et al., 1978, USA | Judaism, Christianity | Questionnaire survey | Undergraduate students and adults from religious congregations | 116 | A significant relationship was observed between religious affiliation and attitudes toward seeking pastoral, the highest being among Catholics, followed by Protestants, Jews, and then those with no religious affiliation |
Tayeb et al., 2010, Saudi Arabia | Islam | Questionnaire surveys and interviews | Muslim patients and healthcare providers | 284 | One of the domains of “good death” included preserving a patient’s self-esteem and image, by avoiding postmortem distortion; another domain focused on chaplaincy expectations |
Cheraghi et al., 2005, Iran | Islam | Anecdotes from experience in EoL care | Nurses from Iran | NA | A postmortem examination or autopsy would normally be refused by a Muslim family unless required by law |
ur Rahman et al., 2013, Middle East | Islam | Questionnaire survey | Physician members of Pan Arab Society of Critical Care | 86 | Ability to pray while dying was a major concern for 52% of physicians |
Khalid et al., 2013, Saudi Arabia | Islam | Retrospective study | Braindead patients | 42 | There was minimal involvement of Muslim chaplain, social worker, or palliative care team in EoL discussions |
Gilbert, 1994, USA | Islam | Case report | Arab Muslim patient | 1 | Family wanted patient’s head to be turned toward Mecca and expressed desire to pray in patient’s room |
Kongsuwan et al., 2012, Thailand | Buddhism | Structured interview | Thai Buddhist family members whose loved ones died in adult ICUs | 9 | Terminally ill Thai Buddhist patients considered embracing impending death and being with family members as important components of a peaceful death |
Smith-Toner, 2003, USA | Buddhism | Case study | Buddhist patient | 1 | Buddhist patients may wish to perform religious rituals such as quiet reflection, chanting, meditation, and prayer at EoL |
Barham, 2003, Australia | Buddhism | Case study | Buddhist patient | 1 | Guided meditation repeated at regular intervals with the help of a Buddhist teacher was used to alleviate anxiety and distress associated with dyspnea |
EoL = end of life; ICU = intensive care unit.