Showing 266 results for Ethics
Sooreh Khaki, Masoud Fallahi -Khoshknab, Farahnaz Mohammadi-Shahboulaghi, Gülbeyaz Can, Mohammad Ali Hosseini,
Volume 17, Issue 1 (3-2024)
Abstract
Conveying bad news to patients and their families is a process that requires team collaboration. Different countries have taken into consideration providing suitable solutions. This study aimed to develop an practical guideline, according to the experiences of patients, families, and healthcare providers in intensive care units across three phases. In the first phase, in-depth interviews were conducted with 31 participants selected through purposive sampling, and the initial draft of the practical guideline was created. In the second phase, the initial draft was discussed and reviewed by experts in two focus group meetings, and a secondary draft was developed. In the third phase, the practical guideline compiled by the Delphi method was validated by 43 experts in policymaking and decision-making. Finally, an practical guideline to deliver bad news to patients and their families was developed with 8 main steps and 43 sub-steps. The main steps included before delivering bad news (assessment, planning and preparation, coordination), during delivering bad news (announcing bad news, emotional support, summary and documentation), and after delivering bad news (referral, follow-up). This practical guideline is intended to facilitate the process of delivering bad news in intensive care units to achieve the desired outcomes and reduce the resulting consequences and harms. Accordingly, healthcare providers are recommended to consider the importance of patient and family preferences, adhering to scientific and standard methods for delivering bad news, and upholding the principles of professional ethics.
Reza Abdollahi, Aynaz Bagherzadi, Mrs Mir Hossein Ahnmadi, Mr Yousef Mohammadpour,
Volume 17, Issue 1 (3-2024)
Abstract
Organizational support is a key factor that may influence and moderate compassion fatigue among nurses. Therefore, this descriptive-analytical study aimed to explore the relationship between organizational support and compassion fatigue in emergency department nurses. The research population consisted of all nurses in the emergency departments of educational hospitals in Urmia, Iran in 2024. A total of 150 nurses were randomly selected based on the inclusion criteria for the study. Data were collected through three questionnaires including a demographic information form, Eisenberger’s Organizational Support Scale, and Figley’s Compassion Fatigue Scale. Data analysis was performed using SPSS software version 15. The results indicated a significant negative relationship between organizational support and compassion fatigue (r=0.45 and p< 0.05). The mean score for organizational support among emergency department nurses was 21.13± 0.54. Moreover, the mean scores for compassion fatigue, compassion satisfaction, and secondary traumatic stress were 27.73 ± 8.54, 38.73 ± 1.81, and 28.45 ± 4.82, respectively. The overall mean score for the nurses' job quality was 31.93 ± 4.32. Given the results of the present study and the role of organizational support in reducing compassion fatigue among nurses, it is crucial for nursing managers and policymakers to take certain measures such as improving working conditions and addressing the needs of nurses to enhance organizational support, consequently helping to reduce and mitigate compassion fatigue among nurses.
Hamidreza Namazi, Navid Ravan,
Volume 17, Issue 1 (3-2024)
Abstract
Medical considerations about aging are as old as medicine itself. However, due to the controversy about whether aging should be classified as a disease or merely a stage of life, geriatric medicine was separated from medicine with a considerable lag. The differentiation of geriatrics from other medical specialties is not rooted in subjecting a specific organ of the body or specific pathophysiological processes but based on a particular stage of life. On the other hand, different stages of life, such as old age, are also subjects for medicalization. Therefore, geriatric medicine may sometimes be threatened by geriatric medicalization and its associated harms. In addition, the relativity and ambiguity in defining the concept of aging and its dependence on social contexts can lead to confusion in understanding the subject matter of geriatric medicine. Mitigating these harms requires philosophical and ethical reflection on health and disease concepts as well as on the essence of aging. Considering that Iran is expected to face an aging crisis in the coming decades, this philosophical reflection at different levels among researchers in the philosophy of medicine and medical ethics, researchers and practitioners in geriatrics, as well as among civil society, can lead to separating geriatric medicine from geriatric medicalization, hence increasing the integrity and efficiency of geriatric medicine, and promoting the health status of the elderly.
Farshid Mohammadmousaei, Zeinab Raiesifar, Seyed Ali Mousavi, Nastaran Khorsandi Bahar, Fatemeh Esmaelzadeh,
Volume 18, Issue 1 (3-2025)
Abstract
Maintaining patient privacy is a fundamental right of patients and an ethical duty of healthcare professionals. The present descriptive, cross-sectional study was conducted in 2022 to compare the perspectives of patients and staff in obstetrics and gynecology operating rooms in Mashhad, Iran, on the extent to which patient privacy was preserved. Patients were selected using random sampling in the operating rooms of hospitals affiliated with Mashhad University of Medical Sciences. Data were collected through a demographic information form and a standardized questionnaire to assess hospitalized patients’ privacy. Data were analyzed via SPSS-22, utilizing descriptive and inferential statistics, with a significance level of P<0.05. The mean ages of patients and staff participating in this study were 39.07±12.56 and 31.65±8.42 years, respectively. The mean score of preserving privacy from the patients' perspective was 38.92±22.41, whereas from the staff's perspective, it was 64.26±8.02, and the difference was statistically significant (p=0.0001). The lowest scores in both groups for personal privacy were 4.97±8.77 for patients and 13.37±2.66 for staff. Results indicated that the staff perceived the level of preserving patient privacy to be above average, while patients considered it below average. Therefore, given the patients’ specific conditions, high stress levels, and physical and mental limitations to support themselves, it is essential to implement targeted training and take necessary measures to encourage the staff to pay more attention to patient privacy and raise patient awareness in this regard.
Mojtaba Parsa, Soudabeh Mehdizadeh,
Volume 18, Issue 1 (3-2025)
Abstract
Domestic violence and abuse against women, particularly intimate partner violence, is a widespread public health problem. Domestic violence is associated with a wide range of physical and mental health issues and negatively impacts the health and well-being of the affected individual. Women who experience violence need support to mitigate the negative impacts of these violent acts. In this regard, health institutions play a critical role in providing comprehensive healthcare to women affected by domestic violence. Physicians' encounters with women experiencing domestic violence, especially in countries like Iran, where there are no clear guidelines on this matter, lead to challenges and ethical issues. This study explored some of these ethical issues and challenges by presenting a case study.
Samira Orujlu, Arezoo Ghavi, Leila Valizadeh, Vahid Zamanzadeh, Sadat Seyed Bagher Maddah, Parvaneh Aghajari,
Volume 18, Issue 1 (3-2025)
Abstract
Improving the quality of nursing services and enhancing ethical decision-making in clinical settings require greater attention to professional ethics. This study aimed to review and synthesize existing research on professional ethics in nursing in Iran, to organize, plan, and establish knowledge- and evidence-based decision-making, and also provide strategies for ethics-centered nursing in Iran. Iranian studies on ethics were reviewed without time limitations until June 22, 2023. Database search was conducted using keywords including "Nurse", "Nursing", "Ethics", "Professional ethics", "Nursing Care", "Codes of Ethics", "Patient Rights", "Conscience", and "Iran", as well as their Persian equivalents, combined with "AND" or "OR" operators. The included studies were analyzed utilizing the five-stage integrative review method proposed by Whittemore and Knafl. A total of 103 Persian and 59 English articles were reviewed. The results were organized into two main categories: achievements of professional ethics (encompassing knowledge, attitudes, and professional performance of nurses; nurses’ experiences with ethical care; positive outcomes of professional nursing ethics education; and the convergence of spiritual health with adherence to professional ethics and the need for an Islamic approach) and factors influencing ethical performance (including facilitators of ethical performance and barriers to adherence to professional ethics). Based on the findings, it is recommended that nursing care protocols and standards be developed, and various educational programs be conducted, including those on ethical care in emergencies and disasters, emotional and spiritual intelligence, training for clinical nursing managers, and the application of creative strategies for teaching clinical professional ethics.
Davood Rasouli, Elham Ramezanpour, Sohrab Nosrati, Akram Zhianifard, Zahra Nouri Khaneghah,
Volume 18, Issue 1 (3-2025)
Abstract
Professional ethics, as a critical aspect of medical ethics, holds significant importance in healthcare professions that directly involve human lives. Accordingly, this study aimed to compare adherence to professional ethics principles among operating room (OR) students and staff in selected teaching hospitals affiliated with Iran University of Medical Sciences during 2021–2022. This cross-sectional descriptive study included 200 OR staff from six hospitals (selected via stratified quota sampling) and 60 OR students (recruited via convenience sampling). Data were collected using a demographic questionnaire and Kadushin’s Professional Ethics Questionnaire (2002) and analyzed in SPSS-24 using descriptive statistics (median and interquartile range) and inferential tests (Chi-square and Mann-Whitney U tests). Results indicated strong professional ethics in 98.4% of students and 75% of staff. Students scored significantly higher in loyalty and accountability (median score, P < 0.0001), while staff outperformed in honesty (median score, P = 0.003). No significant differences were observed in other dimensions. Overall, both groups demonstrated favorable professional ethics. These findings can guide educational interventions and developmental programs to further enhance professional ethics in these populations.
Roya Malekzadeh, Nahid Nickzad Ghadikolaei, Maryam Khazaei-Poul,
Volume 18, Issue 1 (3-2025)
Abstract
Adherence to ethical principles in medical universities, which play a vital role in training the next generation of healthcare professionals, is of significant importance. These principles can serve as a guide to achieving educational goals and improving performance in various academic fields. This study aimed to explain the components of ethics in education at the Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences. The study was conducted in 2023 using a qualitative Hybrid Thematic Analysis approach. Participants included 17 educational managers, faculty members, and students from the university. The study was carried out in three phases: a comprehensive literature review, interviews with experts, and the formation of a specialized panel. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews using purposive and snowball sampling, and the process continued until data saturation was achieved. The interviews were transcribed, coded, classified, and analyzed using thematic analysis. The analysis revealed eight main themes, including ethics, justice, responsibility, duty, respect for others, adherence to dress codes, accountability, and spiritual health, along with 55 subthemes. Focusing on ethical components can enhance transparency, create a fair educational environment, strengthen responsibility among faculty members and students, and improve the quality of learning, thereby playing a crucial role in fostering interactions between professors and students. Adhering to ethical components in academic education not only requires understanding ethical concepts but must also align with appropriate implementation mechanisms. Therefore, organizing training workshops to raise awareness among faculty members, students, and staff, and incorporating ethical indicators into recruitment and promotion processes for faculty members are recommended.
Zahra Khalilzadeh-Farsangi, Samaneh Fallah-Karimi,
Volume 18, Issue 1 (3-2025)
Abstract
With increasing life expectancy and a growing elderly population worldwide, elder care has become a major priority for health systems. These care services are accompanied by numerous ethical challenges, and neglecting them can negatively affect the dignity, rights, and quality of life of older adults. This study aimed to address the question: “What ethical challenges are faced in elder care?” Accordingly, a systematic review was conducted guided by PRISMA guidelines. To identify relevant studies, PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, SID, and Google Scholar were searched for the period 2013–2025, using the keywords “Ethical Challenges”, “Elderly Care”, “Nursing”, and their Persian equivalents. Inclusion criteria were original articles (qualitative, quantitative, experimental, or quasi-experimental) with a direct focus on ethical challenges in elder care, written in Persian or English, and with full-text availability. Exclusion criteria included letters to the editor and conference abstracts. The quality of the studies was assessed using the appraisal tool proposed by Gifford. In total, 31 eligible articles were included in the final analysis. The results indicated that ethical challenges in elder care can be classified into four main categories, including autonomy, justice, beneficence, and non-maleficence. Subthemes included privacy preservation, shared decision-making, end-of-life care, equitable resource allocation, and the prevention of physical and psychological harm. The findings underscored the necessity of strengthening ethics education and informing policymaking in elder care.
Soudabeh Mehdizadeh, Ehsan Shamsi Gooshki,
Volume 18, Issue 1 (3-2025)
Abstract
The Declaration of Helsinki, as a fundamental document of ethics in medical research involving human participants, has been periodically revised since its adoption in accordance with theoretical and scientific advancements, emerging ethical issues in research, and the experiences gained over time. In the latest revision completed in 2024, significant changes and amendments have been made. This study examined the changes and revisions made in the latest version of the declaration in comparison to its previous version from 2013. Fundamental revisions in the recent update include a requirement for adherence to ethical principles in research not only by physicians but also by other researchers, the replacement of “subject” with “participant,” and the emphasis on the voluntary nature of informed consent. Attention to environmental sustainability, precise design to prevent research waste, and a focus on scientific integrity are among the other amendments in the new revision of this declaration. Other modifications and revisions made in the recent edition include the promotion of individual and public health as the ultimate purpose of research, the provision of sufficient resources for research ethics committees and strengthening their independence, the importance of local ethical review, consideration of the preferences and values of participants who are unable to provide voluntary and informed consent, and the necessity of adhering to the ethical principles of the declaration during public health crises and emergencies. Given the changes made, it is recommended that the national ethical guidelines for medical research involving human participants in Iran be revised based on the 2024 revisions.
Mohsen Shahriari, Maryam Sadat Hashemi, Arash Najimi, Mohammad Zare Reshkoieh,
Volume 18, Issue 1 (3-2025)
Abstract
The fundamental nature of nursing care lies in maintaining patients’ human dignity. Protecting the dignity and high value of humanity is the focus of the nursing profession. This study aimed to compare the effectiveness of mobile application-based and webinar-based professional ethics education on maintaining patient dignity among nursing students. This was a quasi-experimental study with a two-group pretest-posttest design involving 90 undergraduate nursing students. One group received professional ethics education via webinars, while the other received training through a mobile application-based program. Data were collected using a demographic information form and a questionnaire assessing nursing students’ views on maintaining patient dignity. The findings showed that before training, the mean total scores for human dignity were 99.96 ± 17.43 in the webinar group and 99.59 ± 16.28 in the mobile application group, with no statistically significant difference (p=0.62). After training, the mean human dignity score was significantly higher in the mobile application group (111.15±14.69) than in the webinar group (104.34 ± 15.38), and this difference was statistically significant (p=0.02). The findings indicated that professional ethics education delivered via a mobile application was associated with a greater improvement in nursing students’ views on patient dignity compared to webinar-based education. Mobile-based education offers a self-directed, flexible learning method, enabling students to have continuous access to educational content without time or place restrictions. It is recommended that medical universities in Iran consider developing and integrating educational applications into their curricula.
Hossein Motaarefi, Shahriar Sakhaei, Amin Soheili, Hassan Ebrahimpour Sadagheyani,
Volume 18, Issue 1 (3-2025)
Abstract
Patients’ perceptions of healthcare service quality and satisfaction with their legal rights constitute the primary objective of the care team and should be considered a criterion for accreditation evaluation. In this regard, a thorough examination of healthcare providers’ and patients’ perceptions, emotions, and experiences regarding the reasons for ‘Discharge Against Medical Advice’—as a patient’s legal right—can help identify hidden factors influenced by temporal and spatial conditions. This qualitative study employed a conventional content analysis approach, involving semi-structured interviews with 24 healthcare providers and patients selected purposively. Researchers repeatedly reviewed recorded content and notes to code the data. Subsequently, key codes and themes were clustered, categorized into specific topics, and labeled. Finally, an interpretation of the obtained data reflecting the study’s approach was presented. Through conventional content analysis, 203 codes were extracted. After categorization, four subthemes, including human factors, processes, facilities, and environment, were identified under the core theme of “uncertainty and distrust” as reasons for discharge against medical advice. Discharge against medical advice is recognized as both a challenge for hospital accreditation and an adverse outcome for patients. Addressing uncertainty-related issues and fostering public trust through team collaboration and implementing novel policies can mitigate discharge against medical advice.
Zahra Dehghani, P Farhad Khormaei, Seyed Mehdi Poorseyed,
Volume 18, Issue 1 (3-2025)
Abstract
This study aimed to investigate the effectiveness of character education on wisdom, academic hope, and prosocial behavior among university students. The study employed a quasi-experimental design with a post-test and a control group. Participants included two groups of students from Shiraz University who were randomly assigned to experimental and control groups. The experimental group participated in a twelve-session program focused on developing etiquette-based professional conduct, and at the end, both groups completed the questionnaires on wisdom, academic hope, and prosocial behavior. The validity and reliability of these instruments for use in Iranian culture have been found to be satisfactory. The results of multivariate analysis of variance (MANOVA) revealed that etiquette-based character education had a significant effect on all three variables of wisdom, academic hope, and prosocial behavior. A key implication of these findings is the importance of paying attention to character education in educational settings.
Rahele Samouei, Shokoofeh Samouei, Narges Meshkineh ,
Volume 18, Issue 1 (3-2025)
Abstract
Faculty members and researchers bear the greatest responsibility for producing scientific research outputs due to the nature of their profession and mission. Given the role of ethical principles in ensuring evidence-based research, their impact on research utilization in society, and the importance of scientific evaluations, this study was conducted to design and psychometrically evaluate a questionnaire on factors related to unethical research practices among researchers. This cross-sectional study was conducted in 2024 among faculty members and researchers at medical sciences universities in Iran. Based on a preliminary qualitative study, 40 items were initially generated for the questionnaire. The validity of the questionnaire was assessed through face validity, content validity (CVR, CVI), and criterion validity (divergent and convergent). Besides, exploratory factor analysis (EFA) and reliability testing (Cronbach's alpha) were performed. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, Pearson correlation coefficient, and Student's t-test. During the content validity assessment, 11 researchers evaluated the items. Applying cutoff scores of 0.59 for CVR and 0.79 and above for CVI, 16 out of 40 items were removed, retaining 24 items. Exploratory factor analysis revealed five key factors, including “researchers’ irresponsible and unprofessional behaviors and beliefs”, “inefficient basis for competition and career advancement among researchers”, “lack of awareness and up-to-date knowledge among researchers”, “inefficient organizational culture and policies”, and “lack of supervision over researchers and research”. Descriptive findings indicated significant differences in the mean scores of factors associated with unethical research practices of researchers by gender (P=0.002) and organizational position (P=0.004), but not by education level. The findings from this study confirmed the strong psychometric properties of the questionnaire on factors related to unethical research practices.
Mohammadmahdi Pazhavand, Maasoumeh Barkhordari-Sharifabad, Khadijeh Nasiriani,
Volume 18, Issue 1 (3-2025)
Abstract
Identifying an effective coping strategy for moral distress, as an important and common phenomenon among intensive care unit nurses, seems essential. The knowledge-to-action model aims to identify effective methods for implementing evidence into clinical practice. The present study sought to determine the effect of an intervention based on the knowledge-to-action model on moral distress among nurses working in intensive care units. This was an experimental study, and the statistical population included nurses working in the intensive care units of Namazi Hospital in Shiraz, Iran. A total of 100 eligible nurses were selected through convenience sampling and then randomly assigned to intervention and control groups. For the intervention group, the knowledge-to-action model was implemented. Data were collected using the Hamric Moral Distress Scale before and one month after the intervention. Both groups completed the questionnaire at these time points. Data were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics with SPSS version 19. The findings showed that the two groups were similar in terms of demographic characteristics and mean moral distress scores before the intervention. After the intervention, the mean scores of moral distress in the intervention group were significantly reduced in the frequency dimension (2.12±0.34) and severity dimension (2.32±0.46) compared to the control group (frequency: 2.51±0.43; severity: 2.57±0.55) (p<0.001). The results indicated that implementing the knowledge-to-action model reduces moral distress in intensive care unit nurses. Therefore, it is recommended that nursing managers adopt this model to improve the quality of care.
Akram Heidari, Morteza Heidari, Baqer Larijani, Professor Ali Mohammad Mosadeqrad,
Volume 18, Issue 1 (3-2025)
Abstract
Spiritual health refers to having purpose and meaning in life and a sense of belonging to something beyond the self, which strengthens inner peace, satisfaction, and happiness. This qualitative study was conducted in 2024 using an interpretive phenomenological approach. Through semi-structured interviews with 47 policymakers, managers, faculty members, staff, and students, a total of 183 benefits of spiritual health education in universities of medical sciences were identified. These benefits were categorized into six groups: benefits for faculty members, students, staff, patients, society, and the university. For faculty members, spirituality education leads to enhanced ethical awareness, increased motivation, job satisfaction, professional commitment, and improved quality of education. Students, by strengthening spirituality, gain greater communication and empathy skills, experience reduced stress and anxiety, and demonstrate improved professional competencies. Healthcare staff benefit from reduced medical errors, increased resilience, improved social relationships, and enhanced quality of care. Patients receiving spiritual care experience lower levels of stress and depression, improved mental health and quality of life, and a more rapid course of treatment and recovery. At the societal level, spiritual health education contributes to more positive social behaviors and the development of a healthier community. Furthermore, universities implementing such education can design more comprehensive curricula, promote interdisciplinary research, strengthen professional ethics, and train holistically oriented healthcare professionals, thereby increasing their credibility and productivity. Spiritual health education in Iranian universities of medical sciences, by exerting positive effects on faculty members, students, staff, patients, society, and the university itself, results in the improvement of psychological and professional well-being, the enhancement of educational quality, and the increased productivity and credibility of the higher education health system of the country.
Samaneh Fallah-Karimi, Zahra Khalilzadeh-Farsangi, Azizollah Arbabisarjou, Fatemeh Etemadinia,
Volume 18, Issue 1 (3-2025)
Abstract
Nurses working in intensive care units are frequently exposed to complex ethical issues and difficult decision-making, placing them at high risk for moral injury. Such injury can negatively affect their professional performance and mental health. Accordingly, this study aimed to explore the relationship between moral injury and moral courage among nurses working in intensive care units. This descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted in 2024. The study population consisted of 150 nurses working in intensive care units. Data were collected through Sekerka’s Moral Courage Questionnaire and the Moral Injury Symptom Scale for Health Professionals. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, Pearson’s correlation coefficient, and the independent samples t-test via SPSS software version 22. The findings revealed a significant inverse relationship between moral injury and moral courage (r = -0.64, p < 0.001). Moreover, moral courage levels were higher among registered nurses compared to nurses in the compulsory service program. Besides, a direct relationship was observed between age and moral courage, suggesting that moral courage increases with age. The results of this study highlight the importance of designing and implementing effective educational programs to reduce moral injury and promote moral courage among this group of nurses.
Amir Rastin Toroghi,
Volume 18, Issue 1 (3-2025)
Abstract
Recent decades have witnessed a decline in birth rates and a growing trend toward voluntary childlessness, phenomena reflected in emerging ethical theories such as antinatalism. This study critically analyzed one of the most prominent arguments in this domain—Bruce Blackshaw’s “Applying Pascal’s Wager to Procreation.” Inspired by Pascal’s Wager and McMahan’s Asymmetry Principle, Blackshaw argues that since a child may one day lose faith and face eternal torture, procreation is morally impermissible, regardless of the low probability of such an outcome. He concludes that moral responsibility requires individuals to avoid reproduction altogether, either through celibacy or sterilization. This study critiqued Blackshaw’s argument from three perspectives: (1) its implausible implications, such as generalizing to all moral decisions and disruption of everyday life; (2) foundational critiques by moral philosophers who reject asymmetry principle; and (3) incompatibility with theological foundations, particularly within the Islamic tradition, such as the neglect of key considerations including the moral responsibility of children, the educational role of parents, and the diverse interpretations of eternal damnation. From an Islamic perspective, procreation is not a hazard but rather part of the prophetic tradition, human nature, and the wise design of creation. Birth is seen as a gateway to development, choice, and proximity to God.
Parsa Farmahin Farahany, Zahra Torkashvand,
Volume 18, Issue 1 (3-2025)
Abstract
One of the key ethical-legal concerns in the medical profession is patients’ trust in the quality of care and adherence to professional standards. This viewpoint explored the ethical-legal dimensions of using surveillance cameras in Intensive Care Units (ICUs), focusing on a specific legal-ethical case. In this scenario, the patients’ family caregivers express doubt about the quality of care and request access to recorded footage. From an ethical-legal perspective, documenting events by the medical team—provided that privacy, data protection regulations, and visual monitoring standards are respected—can help safeguard patients’ rights, clarify staff performance, and prevent legal misunderstandings. While acknowledging the potential benefits, this study also outlined legal considerations, such as patient notification, access limitations, and data management protocols. The key conclusion is that the use of cameras in ICUs, if aligned with legal and institutional requirements, can enhance trust, demonstrate ethical compliance, and reduce legal complaints.
Sayyed Mohammad Taghi Hosseini Vardaniani, Dr Ahmad Salami, Sayyed Morteza Hosseini, Jannat Mashayekhi,
Volume 18, Issue 1 (3-2025)
Abstract
The vegetative state is a condition in contemporary medicine that raises numerous ethical, jurisprudential, and legal challenges. The most fundamental question when confronting this condition concerns whether individuals in such a state are considered alive or deceased, as subsequent rulings and implications are typically contingent upon the answer to this question. Some contemporary Islamic jurists, drawing upon the jurisprudential division of life into “stable life” and “unstable life”, have deemed individuals in a vegetative state to be deceased, given their lack of volition and consciousness. This study argues that the concept of “unstable life” does not apply to these individuals, particularly in cases of persistent and chronic vegetative states where the possibility of regaining consciousness, however remote, exists. Furthermore, the continued function of the brainstem and the non-fulfillment of the medical and legal criteria for brain death in many systems affirm that the designation of “deceased” is incorrect. From an Islamic perspective, the definitive separation of the soul from the body, which is the condition for the occurrence of death, cannot be ascertained in the vegetative state. Ultimately, in circumstances of doubt regarding the life or death of a person in a vegetative state, this uncertainty constitutes a “case-specific doubt”, and by applying the legal principle of “presumption of continued life”, the individual must be deemed alive and all the corresponding legal and religious consequences of life must be accorded to them.
