Beyond the stethoscope: a COVID-19 lens on the halal, business and ethical dimensions of hospitals in a Muslim majority country
International Journal of Ethics and Systems
ISSN: 2514-9369
Article publication date: 2 January 2024
Abstract
Purpose
This study aims to examine the perceptions and evaluations of Muslim COVID-19 survivors and health workers regarding the halal, business and ethical attributes of hospitals during their interactions related to COVID-19 treatment.
Design/methodology/approach
Descriptive qualitative research with semi-structured online interviews was used to gather insights from COVID-19 survivors and health workers who treated COVID-19 patients. The findings were then compared with existing literature on hospital services and Sharia attributes.
Findings
The study found that patients and health-care workers in hospitals are concerned about whether the hospital follows Sharia law, the quality of health-care and hospital services and the ethical conduct of hospital staff. This is especially true during the COVID-19 pandemic, when patients are more anxious about religious conduct and the afterlife.
Research limitations/implications
Hospitals need to address halal attributes in all aspects of their services for Muslim patients and business attributes such as standard health-care quality, service quality and ethical attributes. Participants indicated that when these needs are met, they are more likely to revisit the hospital and recommend it to others.
Originality/value
This study contributes to understanding the expectations of Muslim patients regarding hospital services that meet Islamic ethical and business requirements. Using the COVID-19 pandemic as a case study broadens the understanding of how to better serve Muslim customers.
Keywords
Acknowledgements
This study was supported by Faculty Economics and Business Universitas Indonesia grant (No: PKS-0632/UN2.F6.D/HKP.05.01/2022) for the Asia-Pacific Collaboration scheme.
This study passed the ethical full-board evaluation for research that involves human subjects from KEP-LPEM UI (NO 029/UN2.F6.D2/LPM/PPM.ADM/2021).
All principal researchers passed the ethical research certification from CITI Program (Collaborative Institutional Training Initiatives).
Conflict of interest: The authors stated that there is no conflict of interest in this paper.
Citation
Gayatri, G., Kamarulzaman, Y., Balqiah, T.E., Chalid, D.A., Safira, A. and Hati, S.R.H. (2024), "Beyond the stethoscope: a COVID-19 lens on the halal, business and ethical dimensions of hospitals in a Muslim majority country", International Journal of Ethics and Systems, Vol. ahead-of-print No. ahead-of-print. https://doi.org/10.1108/IJOES-03-2023-0068
Publisher
:Emerald Publishing Limited
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