NYMC Faculty Publications

Caring for Hindu Patients at the End-of-Life: A Narrative Review

Author Type(s)

Faculty

DOI

10.1017/S1478951524000439

Journal Title

Palliative & Supportive Care

First Page

1440

Last Page

1448

Document Type

Review Article

Publication Date

10-2024

Department

Family and Community Medicine

Keywords

Humans, Terminal Care, Hinduism, Palliative Care, Decision Making, Spirituality, India

Disciplines

Medicine and Health Sciences

Abstract

OBJECTIVES: This paper reviews the existing literature to identify specific challenges that may arise in the context of providing palliative and end-of-life (EOL) care for Hindu patients in the physical, psychological, and spiritual domains. We offer practical strategies where appropriate to mitigate some of these challenges. We review how the Hindu faith impacts EOL decision-making, including the role of the family in decision-making, completion of advance directives, pain management, and decisions around artificial nutrition and hydration (ANH) and cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR).

METHODS: The PubMed, MEDLINE Complete, Cochrane, and Embase databases were searched for articles using the search strings combinations of keywords such as Palliative care, Hindu, Hinduism, End of Life Care, India, Spirituality, and South Asian. Once inclusion criteria were applied, 40 manuscripts were eligible for review.

RESULTS: Our results are organized into the following 4 sections - how Hindu religious or spiritual beliefs intersect with the physical, psychological, and spiritual domains: and decision-making at the EOL.

SIGNIFICANCE OF RESULTS: Hindu beliefs, in particular the role of karma, were shown to impact decision-making regarding pain management, ANH and CPR, and advance directive completion. The complexity of Hindu thought leaves a significant role for interpretation and flexibility for individual factors in decision-making at the EOL.

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