When Caring Hurts: A Qualitative Study into Palliative Care Provision for Muslim Patients in a Belgian Hospital

The number of Muslims in Belgium requiring end-of-life care is expected to increase. Our goal was to identify characteristics distinguishing palliative care for Muslim patients according to healthcare providers. In 2022 semi-structured, in-depth interviews were conducted with 15 multidisciplinary healthcare professionals in a Belgian hospital. Questions addressed attitudes towards palliative care and palliative sedation. Our study confirmed the role of religion in attitudes towards end-of-life care. Of particular importance was the desire to avoid interventions that could infringe upon the divine prerogative over life and death. Often this translated into a desire for maximum curative therapy and resistance to palliative sedation. Participants reported tension when families withheld diagnoses and when their desire for maximum curative therapy risked patient comfort. Whilst healthcare professionals prioritised pain relief, families sought to help patients accept and endure divine will. Healthcare professionals require guidance on addressing spiritual needs of Muslim patients without compromising ethical standards.