Muslims and End-of-Life Healthcare in Non-Muslim Majority Nations: A Systematic Literature Review

Abstract

Context: As Muslim populations in non-Muslim majority nations grow and age, they will increasingly require culturally appropriate healthcare. Delivering such care requires understanding their experiences with, as well as preferences regarding, end-of-life healthcare.

Objectives: To examine the experiences, needs, and challenges of Muslim patients and caregivers with end-of-life, hospice, and palliative care.

Methods: A systematic literature review using five databases (MEDLINE, Scopus, Web of Science, CINAHL, Cochrane Library) and key terms related to Islam and end-of-life healthcare. Papers were limited to English-language empirical studies of adults in non-Muslim majority nations. After removing duplicates, titles, abstracts, and articles were screened for quality and reviewed by a multidisciplinary team.

Results: From an initial list of 1867 articles, 29 articles met all inclusion criteria. Most studies focused on end-of-life healthcare not related to palliative or hospice services and examined Muslim patient and caregiver experiences rather than their needs or challenges. Content analysis revealed three themes: (1) the role of family in caregiving as a moral duty and as surrogate communicators; (2) gaps in knowledge among providers related to Muslim needs and gaps in patient/family knowledge about advance care planning; and (3) the influence of Islam on Muslim physicians' perspectives and practices.

Conclusion: There is scant research on Muslim patients' and caregivers' engagement with end-of-life healthcare in non-Muslim majority nations. Existing research documents knowledge gaps impeding both Muslim patient engagement with end-of-life care and the delivery of culturally appropriate healthcare.

Keywords: Islam; community health; death; dying; minority health.