[Culturally sensitive communication in end-of-life care: the care for Muslim patients as an example]

Suffering and death are an inevitable part of life. In our increasingly multicultural society, healthcare professionals are frequently confronted with ideas on suffering and death that are different from their own. As Muslims are the largest migrant group in the Netherlands, this article focuses specifically on their perspective, illustrated by a clinical case. The different experience of these phenomena, influenced by culture and religion, can lead to confusion and frustration for patients, their relatives, and healthcare professionals alike. It is essential that healthcare professionals are aware of both their own views and those of the patient, and have some knowledge of other cultures and religions. Healthcare professionals can use cultural (self-)reflection and culturally sensitive communication, examples of which are provided in this article, to build mutual trust and understanding. This may improve the patient-physician relationship and may make end-of-life communication, complex as it will ever be, a little more comprehensive.