Literature Review On Results

INTEGRATIVE LITERATURE REVIEW: "NURSING CARE CONSIDERATION FOR ISLAMIC WOMEN IN CANADA."

Introduction
Religion has serious implications for health care. Religion is part of the culture which gives an individual an identity. Currently, there is a need for nurses to provide culturally-sensitive care. In order to provide culturally competent care, it is important for the nurses to understand certain religious/cultural beliefs and practices held by a particular group of patients. By doing so, the nurse will be able to provide optimal care to patients from different cultural groups.
One of the most sensitive groups of patients when giving care is Muslims and especially Muslim women. Islam is a religion with strict rules. Muslims, on the other hand, holds strongly to those rules. For instance, women are required to cover their bodies at all times using hijab. A faithful Muslim is also expected to pray five times in a day facing Mecca. It is therefore of utter importance for nurses and other health care providers to understand these beliefs and practices and many others in efforts to provide patient-centered care. As part of the continuation of the integrative literature review, this part of the paper will focus on results from the articles identified in part one.

Integrative Literature Review: "Nursing Care Consideration for Islamic Women in Canada."

The articles identified contain vast amounts of information regarding Muslim women and health care. Muslim women have a problem of violation of their beliefs and practices by nurses and physicians. However, before pointing a figure at the doctors and nurses for provision of culturally insensitive care, it is paramount that we identify their level of understanding on Muslim religious beliefs and practices. It is quite evident that most the health providers in the country have little knowledge about Islam. This is because the majority of the population are Christian. As pointed out earlier, Muslims only make about 2% of the entire Canadian population. However, it is important the nurses, doctors and other health providers consider the beliefs and practices observed by the Muslim faithful.
Another important area noted from the reviewed articles is the diet, and it was established from the articles that the Islam laws dictate the kind of food the Muslims should take. All Muslims are supposed to take halal food. In the events that the patients cannot access halal food, they opt for vegetarian diet. By doing so, they are avoiding the chances of being fed with gelatin or other pork products. Foods such as pork are known as Haraam since they are defiled and, therefore, Muslims should not take them. In case they feed on pork, they become defiled and hence unworthy before Allah. In some instances, the Muslims, who cannot access Halal may take Kosher, which is the traditional food for Jews. Due to dietary regulations, Muslims patients may have a problem taking some medications. For instance, some drugs contain gelatin or alcohol. Since such diets are prohibited among Muslims, the patients may refuse to take those drugs. The Muslim patients may not also take drugs that are of porcine origin. The issue of Muslims and alcohol has raised a number of questions regarding the use of alcohol-based hand rubs in the hospitals. However, the Muslims are advised to avoid any problems since the alcohol, in this case, is employed in a way that cannot cause intoxication. However, it is necessary for the patient or the family to do more consultations especially from Imams on such issues.
The result findings from the articles noted that majority of Muslims take suffering as part of the temptations that all Muslims must face while in this world. For that reason, Muslim women may tend to take pain of an emotional reserve. Due to such beliefs, these patients may hesitate to call for help in managing pain. In some cases, some patients may deliberately refuse to take medications for managing pain for religious purposes. Muslims believe that it is through suffering that they come close to their maker. Hence, through pain, a Muslim is nourished or enriched spiritually. Muslims also have an issue with amputated limbs. In some cases, the Muslims be it women or men may request for their amputated limbs in order to bury them. In such cases, the details of the burial are prepared between the family and the hospital.
The result findings from the articles noted that it is also common to find a family member or close friend requesting to be present with the patient in the event of death. The family member may consider spending time with the dying patient. The main purpose of this application is to be able to say a proclamation of faith in the ear of the patient before they die. These cases are also common during birth. For instance, a husband may request to be present during childbirth. The main purpose of the presence of the husband is to whisper a proclamation of faith in the ear of the newborn. In the event of the death of a patient, Muslims traditions have laws that govern on what should be done and how it should be done. For instance, when a Muslim woman patient dies, the family may request to wash her body. The bed in which the patient is lying should be positioned to face Mecca, the holy city. In addition to that, the head of the dead patient should be raised using a pillow. All these practices are important in Muslim culture, and they are part of the remarkable journey of sending the dead patient to meet her creator.
In the case of death of a Muslim patient , the results from the articles established that the burial is supposed to be conducted as soon as possible. It is very rare to find a Muslim family asking for an autopsy in case of the death of a family member. The dead person might only undergo autopsy only if it was requested by the chief medical officer. The issue of organ donation is highly debated in the Muslim circles. Some parts of the Muslim community support organ donation for the sake of saving lives. However, other areas of the community are strongly opposed to such practices. Until today, there is no clear guideline on whether to donate or not donate organs.
Based on the result findings from the analyzed research articles, another important part of the Muslim culture is fast observed in the holy month of Ramadan. In this month, all Muslims are supposed to keep a holy fast. They are not expected to take any food or drink from dawn until sundown. It is critical for health providers to consider whether the patient is capable of observing the fast. Wherever they find that the patients can also be part of the fast, they should consider which foods are appropriate for these patients before dawn. The patients should also be provided with dates and spring water to break the fast in the evening. In the Muslim culture, the fast is ended with dates and spring water. Therefore, it is important to note that the ill persons are not obligated to hold the fast. However, everyone is encouraged to observe the fast due to its meaningful power. The month of Ramadan is found in the lunar calendar which is followed by Muslims. This means when that month occurs during the summer, the days may be longer and, therefore, more physically stressful.

Conclusion

Conclusively, the review of cultural concerns when handling Muslim women is vital in improving care. Through the study, the health providers will acquire rich cultural knowledge that will them in providing cultural-sensitive and patient-centered care. Understanding the culture of the patient is important in the development of strong therapeutic relationship with the patient. The therapeutic relationship is developed through trust between the health provider and the patient. It is important to note that trust from patients is only gained when the healthcare provider respects and considers the cultural needs of the patient.
It is, therefore, important for the government to make some changes that will help improve the provision of care to the Muslim women and men patients. The government should create policies that will call for consideration of Muslim culture when giving care to such patients. Hence, the hospitals should conduct in-training for their health care providers in matters of Muslim culture. This will help to improve the provision of care with observe the cultural needs of Muslim patients. In addition to that, government should consider employing more health providers from the Muslim background. The health providers should include physicians and nurses with Islamic knowledge. These professionals will help in educating others about the Muslim culture and caring for the Muslim patients. This way, the Muslim women will feel respected.