FACING THE EVITABLE AND THE INEVITABLE: PERSPECTIVES OF GOOD DEATH AMONGST MUSLIM PATIENTS AND HEALTH CARE PROVIDERS IN PAKISTAN

Perspectives of Good Death Amongst Muslim Patients

Abstract

Objective: To review the validity of the future of health and care of older people (TFHCOP), good death perception criteria in Muslim patients and health care providers in cultural background of Pakistan.
Study Design: A mixed method design with qualitative and quantitative components.
Place and Duration of Study: Oncology Department, Combined Military Hospital, Rawalpindi, from July 2015 to October 2015.
Material and Methods: It is a sequential explanatory type of mixed method research. A total of 110 participants were included in the study by non probability convenient sampling technique. A modified questionnaire was used based on the principles of TFHCOP good death definition comprising of 8 questions. This was followed by interviews. For data collection and analysis grounded theory approach was used with constant comparisons and open coding. Descriptive statistics were used to analyze questionnaire responses. For bivariate analysis we used chi-square test.
Results: There was a consensus on the principles presented in the modified questionnaire in the two groups studied. Total of three domains measured non-significant difference in patient’s and health care provider’s perspectives. Participants identified four more domains. The first domain was related to faith in Allah Almighty, second domain is about leaving the will for bereaved, third domain was about the concerns to finish unfinished agendas and the fourth domain was related to the importance of family security over treatment or death.
Conclusion: Perception of good death by Muslim patients and health care providers in Pakistan is different from that of Western and Arab communities in certain domains like religious beliefs, leaving will for the bereaved, finishing unfinished work and the importance of family concerns.