A Review of Potential Muslim Organ Donors' Perspectives on Solid Organ Donation: Lessons for Nurses in Clinical Practice

Background: Transplantation is increasingly being used to treat patients with end-stage organ disease. However, when potential organ donors involved are Muslims, religious beliefs and culture have a strong influence on clinical decision making and nursing care. Purpose: To establish basic aspects that nurses working with potential Muslim organ donors need to know in order to provide culturally sensitive care. Methods: Studies were retrieved from four databases (Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature, SCOPUS, Medline, and PubMed). Results: Findings of available studies show that health education, family involvement, and collaboration with religious leaders are good strategies for ensuring culturally sensitive care for Muslim patients in this situation. Conclusion: Nurses need to know that organ donation is compatible with Islam and that religious leaders, family, sociocultural beliefs, legal requirements, informed decision making process, and Ramadan are important aspects that need to be considered in order to be able to provide culturally senstive care.