A survey to assess knowledge among international colorectal clinicians and enterostomal therapy nurses about stoma-related faith needs of Muslim patients.

Quality of life after the creation of a stoma can be influenced by religious factors. Enterostomal specialist nurses often offer holistic preoperative counseling to discuss religious concerns with Muslim patients, which requires a sound working knowledge of relevant Islamic practices. To assess colorectal surgeon and enterostomal specialist nurse awareness of Islamic practices that influence quality of life in Muslim patients with stomas, a questionnaire comprised of 16 multiplechoice questions was developed and face and content validity established. In addition to the knowledge questionnaire, participant demographic data, including practice setting and geographical location, years in practice, and personal religious affiliation, were included in the data collection instrument. The questionnaires were sent to all members of the World Council of Enterostomal Therapists (WCET) and the Association of Coloproctology of Great Britain and Ireland (ACPGBI) via association-directed emails. Data were collected over a 5-month period; 132 responses (90 enterostomal nurses and 42 surgeons) were received. Among the 90 WCET respondents, 29 (32%) were from the United Kingdom and Europe, 24 (27%) from the United States, and 10 (11%) from Australasia, and 10 (11%) from South East Asia. All 42 ACPGBI respondents were consultant colorectal surgeons from the UK and Ireland. Eight (8) out of 42 surgeons (20%) and 11 out of 85 nurses (11%) did not feel confident to discuss religious practices before surgery. Of the 127 respondents who answered the question, only four (<5%) correctly identified all Islamic prayer positions. Thirty-two (32, 52%) of the 62 enterostomal therapists and 27 (73%) of the 37 surgeons responding did not discuss fasting with Muslim stoma patients. More than one third of all respondents (48 out of 126) did not feel it was necessary to include religious leaders in the counseling process. Awareness of Islamic practices relevant to Muslim persons with ostomies may be suboptimal among colorectal specialists, which may negatively affect patient experiences after stoma surgery. Further research is required to assess the impact of faith-based counseling on postoperative quality of life in Muslim patients.