Attitudes on Physician Aid-in-Dying Among Muslim Chaplains: A Qualitative Study (SCI925)

Objectives 1. List 3 common themes among Muslims chaplains' attitudes regarding Physician Aid-in-Dying. 2. Describe 2 reasons for PAD being considered contrary to Islamic law and belief by Muslim chaplains. 3. Recognize how Muslim chaplains define their own clinical practice and duties as it relates to spiritual care in PAD. Background When facing serious illness, Muslim patients and their families often call upon Muslim chaplains for aid in spiritual coping and medical decision-making in a religious context. As eight states and DC have legalized physician aid-in-dying (PAD), Muslims reflect on how to navigate PAD. However, research describing unique characteristics of spiritual care for Muslim patients is limited. Research Objectives Explore and educate readers about Muslim chaplains' attitudes and approaches to PAD in the context of their religious beliefs. Methods Muslim healthcare chaplains were recruited to participate in semi-structured interviews exploring participants' views on PAD. Two independent researchers conducted thematic analysis through an iterative process of coding to identify overarching themes, which were further examined to gain an understanding of attitudes towards PAD. Results Ten North American Muslim chaplains with diverse ethnic backgrounds participated. Five themes were identified: 1. Cultural Differences in End-of-Life Experience: Participants qualify suffering with cultural and religious value placed on endurance and patience. 2. Contrary to Islamic Law and Belief: The intention of medication causing death, as opposed to the disease, can be interpreted as defiance to God's decree. 3. Dual Identities and Roles: Chaplains recognize the conflict to adhere to religious values while caring for patients where PAD is legal. Some prefer conscientious objection to partaking in PAD and referral to colleagues. 4. Duties of Chaplains: Participants emphasized the chaplain's role to elicit patients' values with an Islamic view of their decision, while offering support and relief of suffering. 5. Autonomy and Accountability Before God: Patients and clinicians have autonomy in their decision-making with informed consent on a spiritual and metaphysical level. Conclusion Muslim chaplains draw on Islamic principles to form views on PAD. Participants support individual autonomy for patient and clinician while identifying their duty as chaplains to relieve suffering. Implications for Research, Policy, or Practice Emphasize culturally sensitive app