Legal issues in end-of-life care: perspectives from Saudi Arabia and United States.
OBJECTIVE
This paper provides different perspectives on end-of-life legal issues in Saudi Arabia, and contrasts those perspectives with current legal practice in the United States.


BACKGROUND
Islamic law governs end-of-life legal issues in Saudi Arabia which applies to end-of-life legal issues. There is a specific legal terminology, derived from the Qura'an, that is used to settle conflicts in end-of-life care. This contrasts with the United States which has a secular system of law that informs end-of-life issues.


METHODS
extent literature review of Muslim medical ethics; review of Shari'a law and review of US law and legal cases was used to provide both perspectives regarding end-of-life issues.


CONCLUSIONS
Commonalities and differences regarding end-of-life issues were highlighted in depth.


CONCLUSIONS
There are many differences, and some commonalities between the laws practiced in both countries which help explain medical and nursing practice at the end of life.
Babgi
Amani
A
Princess Norah Oncology Center, National Guard King Abdulaziz Medical City-WR, Jeddah, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
D016223:Advance Directives / Q000941:ethics / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence; D001293:Attitude to Death / Q000208:ethnology*; D004992:Ethics, Medical; D005066:Euthanasia, Passive / Q000941:ethics / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence; D006801:Humans; D007514:Islam; D010166:Palliative Care / Q000941:ethics / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence; D012068:Religion and Medicine; D012297:Right to Die; D012529:Saudi Arabia; D012938:Social Perception; D017236:Suicide, Assisted / Q000208:ethnology / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence; D035521:Supreme Court Decisions; D013727:Terminal Care / Q000941:ethics* / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence*; D014481:United States