Perceptions of palliative care in a lower middle-income Muslim country: A qualitative study of health care professionals, bereaved families and communities

David Fearon, Hélène Kane, N’Diaye Aliou, Alhousseynou Sall
  • Palliative Medicine, December 2018, SAGE Publications
  • DOI: 10.1177/0269216318816275

A look at how Palliative Care is viewed in a predominantly Muslim country with limited resources

What is it about?

In Mauritania, West Africa, we asked doctors, nurses, bereaved family members and village leaders about their impressions of Palliative Care. The paper explores how these views compare with the internationally agreed definition of palliative care. Topics of interest include how the local interpretation of Islam impacts upon how life and death are viewed in Mauritania.

Why is it important?

Much of research on Islamic interpretations originate from developed Muslim countries, whereas this paper highlights issues in a less developed setting. It reinforces how we need to personalise care for our Muslim patients. We need to ask them what is important for them, and not presume certain beliefs or preferences because of their Islamic faith.

Perspectives

Dr david fearon
Lancaster University

My collaborators and I are pleased that our recent research in perceptions of palliative care in Mauritania has been published in the journal 'Palliative Medicine'. People in Mauritania and elsewhere in West Africa have limited access to palliative care. This paper explores local views of the concept of palliative care and we hope it will serve as a building block for those who plan services.

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http://dx.doi.org/10.1177/0269216318816275

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