Empowering End-of-Life Decision-Making: Utilizing Brochures to Support Muslim Patients and Families in Canada

Canada is a multicultural country with diversity across faiths and ethnicities. Although Islam is the second-largest reported religion, healthcare providers often lack familiarity with Islamic beliefs, values, and how they impact end-of-life decision-making compared to the more commonly encountered faiths, such as Christianity. For Muslims, guidance on end-of-life decision-making is sought from the teachings of the Quran, Sunna, and Islamic rulings. However, decision-making may be influenced by a lack of awareness among Muslim patients, their families, and healthcare providers regarding the Islamic permissibility and prohibitions related to end-of-life care. Additionally, there may be a limited understanding of the prevailing healthcare legislation that structures end-of-life care in Canada. This adds to the existing barriers faced by Muslim patients and their families when making decisions that are both religiously and culturally informed while residing in a non-Muslim majority country and receiving care from non-Muslim providers. With the goal of increasing awareness, promoting autonomy, and empowering patients to actively participate in their healthcare and make informed decisions, this paper explores the development and potential value of a decision-making tool: a brochure that integrates Islamic perspectives on end-of-life care with the Canadian healthcare legislation and policy. Although the brochure is primarily intended for Muslim patients and families, it also aims to support healthcare providers and raise awareness when a Muslim Chaplain or Imam is unavailable.