Religion often shapes how people think about palliative care by influencing beliefs about suffering, dignity, decision making, acceptable treatments, and who should make choices at the end of life. Multiple studies and reviews show that spiritual and religious values affect patients, families, and clinicians in ways that change preferences for pain control, life‑prolonging treatments, hospice use, and attitudes toward practices such as withdrawal of treatment or assisted dying[1][2][5].
Religious frameworks and meaning
– Many religions provide narratives about suffering, death, and what happens after death; these narratives help people interpret terminal illness and decide which medical options align with their values[2][3].
– For some patients faith encourages acceptance and finding meaning in suffering, which can make aggressive life extension less attractive; for others, beliefs about the sanctity of life or divine providence make withholding or withdrawing life‑sustaining treatment morally problematic[1][3].
Influence on treatment preferences
– Religious people, especially those with strong intrinsic religiosity, are more likely to oppose euthanasia and physician‑assisted death and to prefer treatments that preserve life when possible[5][3].
– At the same time, many religious traditions support good pain and symptom control and palliation; concerns arise when palliative measures risk hastening death, so clinicians and families must discuss intent and proportionality[2][4].
Family, community, and decision making
– In religious and culturally collective contexts, families and faith leaders often play central roles in decisions about palliative care, which can differ from Western models that emphasize individual autonomy[1][2].
– Religious communities sometimes supply practical, emotional, and spiritual support that shapes willingness to accept hospice or home‑based palliative services[2].
Spiritual care as part of palliative practice
– Integrating spiritual assessments and care into palliative services improves patient‑centeredness: addressing rituals, prayer needs, confession, or pastoral visits can reduce distress and align care with beliefs[2][4].
– Clinician training that includes spiritual topics helps health professionals navigate religiously informed preferences and reduces conflicts over goals of care[4].
Cross-cultural differences and common themes
– Comparative research finds variation: for example, approaches in the Arab Middle East emphasize family, collective spirituality, and dignity through faith, while in the United Kingdom decision making is more individual and often more secular, though both regions value relieving suffering in appropriate circumstances[1].
– Despite differences, common issues recur across contexts: the need to respect religious values, to clarify goals, and to distinguish palliative intent from intentions to hasten death[1][2][5].
Practical implications for clinicians and policymakers
– Ask about spirituality and religion as a routine part of palliative assessments and document specific beliefs or rituals that affect care preferences[2][4].
– Involve family members and faith leaders when patients want them included, and use culturally appropriate interpreters or spiritual care providers when needed[1][2].
– Provide clear explanations about the goals of palliative treatments, emphasizing symptom relief and intent, to reduce misunderstandings and ethical concerns[4].
– Develop training and institutional guidelines that respect religious diversity while upholding ethical standards and patients rights[4][1].
Limitations and variability
– Religious influence is not uniform: individuals within the same faith vary widely in how doctrine shapes their choices, and some people identify as religious but make secular care decisions or vice versa[2][5].
– Evidence varies by region and study design; qualitative studies highlight depth of belief, while quantitative work links religiosity to measurable attitudes toward practices such as euthanasia[5][2].
Sources
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41030059/
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC12665030/
https://www.britannica.com/procon/MAID-medical-aid-in-dying-debate/Religious-Perspectives-on-Euthanasia-and-Medical-Aid-in-Dying
https://www.ahajournals.org/doi/10.1161/CIRCHEARTFAILURE.125.013403
https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/0034673X251395039
