Exploring the perspective of Muslim scholars on the roles of nurses’ response to disaster: a qualitative study

ABSTRACT

Aceh is the centre point of the greatest tsunami in 2004 and located along the pacific “ring of fire” with a high risk of disaster. Nurses are the frontline in providing care for survivors. Since the province is the only special Islamic sharia territory in Indonesia, Muslim scholars play an important role in policy enrichment to educate nurses to be able to incorporate Islamic values in delivery of care. This research aims to explore the Muslim scholars' perspectives on the roles of nurses in response to disasters. A phenomenological study using an in-depth interview with nine Muslim scholars was conducted. The data was evaluated through inductive content analysis. The results identified three themes related to their perspectives: Islamic-based perception on disaster; nursing as devotion to God; and integration of Islamic values into nursing practices. Sincerity, patience, prohibition of despair, endeavour, prayer, and resignation were Islamic values required by nurses coping in a disaster.

KEYWORDS:

• Disaster
• Islamic
• scholar
• nurse
• roles
• response

Acknowledgments

The authors are grateful to the members of UCA for active involvement in this study, also to the UCA administration staff for the assistance provided in facilitating with UCA members. The authors appreciate two research assistants (RM, FY) during data collection, and also grateful thanks to Elly Wardani, PhD, who helped in data analysis and offered substantial contributions in the form of advice to the success of the study.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Additional information

Funding

No financial supports from any sources.