Exploring the quality of end-of-life care in the intensive care unit: a qualitative multiple case study approach with family members of Muslim patients
Objective Muslim patients are an underrepresented community in end-of-life care research, with little evidence around factors that influence the quality and experience of care. The aim of this study was to explore the quality of end-of-life care in the intensive care unit (ICU) from the perspective...
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BMJ Publishing Group
2025-01-01
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| Series: | BMJ Open |
| Online Access: | https://bmjopen.bmj.com/content/15/1/e087871.full |
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| author | Robert Fowler Craig Dale Ayah Nayfeh Lesley Gotlib Conn |
| author_facet | Robert Fowler Craig Dale Ayah Nayfeh Lesley Gotlib Conn |
| author_sort | Robert Fowler |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Objective Muslim patients are an underrepresented community in end-of-life care research, with little evidence around factors that influence the quality and experience of care. The aim of this study was to explore the quality of end-of-life care in the intensive care unit (ICU) from the perspective of next-of-kin family members of Muslim patients.Design A qualitative multiple case study design using semistructured interviews with family members of Muslim patients. Healthcare providers’ notes from the patient medical record were also used to contextualise the patient care experience and medical journey. Data were analysed using deductive content analysis.Setting A large academic tertiary care hospital in Toronto, Canada.Participants Next-of-kin family members of Muslim patients (≥18 years) who were admitted to the ICU and died in hospital between October 2019 and December 2021.Results Family members of five Muslim patients of South Asian descent were recruited for this study. Four central themes were identified: (1) trust and confidence in the healthcare team overseen by medical experts; (2) quality communication with medical experts; (3) achieving patient goals of care; and (4) dignity of care through cultural respect and emotional support. Culture, religion and religiosity did not appear to have a major influence on the medical decision-making process. Communication, emotional and psychological well-being for patients, and cultural respect were identified as possible areas for quality improvement.Conclusions Our findings identified central themes in the quality of end-of-life care for families of seriously ill Muslim patients. These insights can inform clinical processes and interventions to improve the quality of care and reduce psychological and emotional burden at the end of life. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-c3d4e8cc4cdf4f57922952dc1aa64a1a |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 2044-6055 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-01-01 |
| publisher | BMJ Publishing Group |
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| series | BMJ Open |
| spelling | doaj-art-c3d4e8cc4cdf4f57922952dc1aa64a1a2025-01-21T07:55:09ZengBMJ Publishing GroupBMJ Open2044-60552025-01-0115110.1136/bmjopen-2024-087871Exploring the quality of end-of-life care in the intensive care unit: a qualitative multiple case study approach with family members of Muslim patientsRobert Fowler0Craig Dale1Ayah Nayfeh2Lesley Gotlib Conn3Institute of Health Policy, Management and Evaluation, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, CanadaSunnybrook Research Institute, Toronto, Ontario, CanadaInstitute of Health Policy, Management and Evaluation, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, CanadaInstitute of Health Policy, Management and Evaluation, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, CanadaObjective Muslim patients are an underrepresented community in end-of-life care research, with little evidence around factors that influence the quality and experience of care. The aim of this study was to explore the quality of end-of-life care in the intensive care unit (ICU) from the perspective of next-of-kin family members of Muslim patients.Design A qualitative multiple case study design using semistructured interviews with family members of Muslim patients. Healthcare providers’ notes from the patient medical record were also used to contextualise the patient care experience and medical journey. Data were analysed using deductive content analysis.Setting A large academic tertiary care hospital in Toronto, Canada.Participants Next-of-kin family members of Muslim patients (≥18 years) who were admitted to the ICU and died in hospital between October 2019 and December 2021.Results Family members of five Muslim patients of South Asian descent were recruited for this study. Four central themes were identified: (1) trust and confidence in the healthcare team overseen by medical experts; (2) quality communication with medical experts; (3) achieving patient goals of care; and (4) dignity of care through cultural respect and emotional support. Culture, religion and religiosity did not appear to have a major influence on the medical decision-making process. Communication, emotional and psychological well-being for patients, and cultural respect were identified as possible areas for quality improvement.Conclusions Our findings identified central themes in the quality of end-of-life care for families of seriously ill Muslim patients. These insights can inform clinical processes and interventions to improve the quality of care and reduce psychological and emotional burden at the end of life.https://bmjopen.bmj.com/content/15/1/e087871.full |
| spellingShingle | Robert Fowler Craig Dale Ayah Nayfeh Lesley Gotlib Conn Exploring the quality of end-of-life care in the intensive care unit: a qualitative multiple case study approach with family members of Muslim patients BMJ Open |
| title | Exploring the quality of end-of-life care in the intensive care unit: a qualitative multiple case study approach with family members of Muslim patients |
| title_full | Exploring the quality of end-of-life care in the intensive care unit: a qualitative multiple case study approach with family members of Muslim patients |
| title_fullStr | Exploring the quality of end-of-life care in the intensive care unit: a qualitative multiple case study approach with family members of Muslim patients |
| title_full_unstemmed | Exploring the quality of end-of-life care in the intensive care unit: a qualitative multiple case study approach with family members of Muslim patients |
| title_short | Exploring the quality of end-of-life care in the intensive care unit: a qualitative multiple case study approach with family members of Muslim patients |
| title_sort | exploring the quality of end of life care in the intensive care unit a qualitative multiple case study approach with family members of muslim patients |
| url | https://bmjopen.bmj.com/content/15/1/e087871.full |
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