title: End-of-life practices at a Lebanese hospital: courage or knowledge?
abstract: End-of-life care requires knowledgeable and culturally sensitive clinicians to assist patients and families dealing with the difficult journey of death. The authors present important end-of-life considerations for health care providers dealing with culturally diversified patients. A case study approach is used illustrating two case vignettes derived from the practice of an intensive care setting of a tertiary teaching facility in a large urban area in Lebanon. In a multidisciplinary fashion, practices of end of life were explored and a protocol developed to guide health care providers. Special cultural values were identified such as importance of family involvement and religious beliefs. Implications for practice are described.
authors.affiliation: American University of Beirut Medical Center, Beirut, Lebanon.
authors.forename: Jouhayna
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Gebara
authors.forename: Hera
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Tashjian
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D001293:Attitude to Death / Q000208:ethnology*; D002835:Christianity / Q000523:psychology; D003142:Communication; D003422:Critical Care / Q000458:organization & administration / Q000523:psychology; D018864:Cultural Diversity; D005190:Family / Q000208:ethnology; D005260:Female; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006301:Health Services Needs and Demand; D006801:Humans; D007400:Interprofessional Relations; D007514:Islam / Q000523:psychology; D019359:Knowledge; D007861:Lebanon; D008297:Male; D009730:Nursing Assessment; D015403:Nursing Evaluation Research; D017410:Practice Guidelines as Topic; D012945:Social Values; D013727:Terminal Care / Q000458:organization & administration / Q000523:psychology; D016746:Transcultural Nursing