Near-Death Experience among Iranian Muslim Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation Survivors.
Iranian journal of nursing and midwifery research – January 01, 2020
Source: PubMed
Summary
A striking finding reveals that Iranian Muslim CPR survivors often report near-death experiences (NDEs) similar to those of their Western counterparts. In a study involving eight participants, four key themes emerged: uplifting sensations, journeys beyond life, out-of-body experiences, and life reviews framed within a religious context. Interviews lasted between 40 to 65 minutes, highlighting the depth of these experiences. Understanding these cultural nuances is essential for medical professionals, ensuring compassionate care for patients navigating the intersection of death and spirituality.
Abstract
Near-Death Experience (NDE) refers to a broad range of subjective experiences associated with forthcoming death. The majority of Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) survivors experience NDEs. It seems that near-death events are experienced differently by people with different cultural and religious viewpoints. Thus, this study aimed to explain NDEs in Iranian Muslim CPR survivors. A qualitative hermeneutic phenomenological approach influenced by Ricoeur was used to understand the meaning of CPR survivors' NDEs. Eight survivors were interviewed in private. The study was conducted in southeast Iran. In-depth, semi-structured interviews were used for data collection, and probing questions were added when necessary. The duration of the interviews was between 40 and 65 min. According to Lindseth and Norberg, in the naive understanding phase, we read the interviews several times for achieving naive understanding. In the structural analysis phase, the whole text is divided into meaningful units. Finally, the researchers formulated a comprehensive understanding of the contextualization of the text. Four main themes emerged including 1) pleasing experiences along with flying and seeing light, 2) the experience of transport to the beyond, 3) out-of-body experience, and 4) reviewing life and memories in a religious context. Iranian Muslim CPR survivors, reported NDEs, much similar to those reported by survivors in Western countries with different theistic religions. This means that medical professionals dealing with these patients need to be aware of such experiences in Iranian Muslims.