Cultural, Religious, and Spiritual Issues in Palliative Care

Abstract

Primary care physicians are at the frontlines, often the first point of contact for many people with the medical system. They have to manage chronically ill patients with life-limiting diagnoses who also have ongoing psychosocial needs. This article discusses why cultural, spiritual, and religious interplay with medical decision making is important and provide some strategies for addressing these aspects of care.

Keywords: Culture; Interdisciplinary team; Palliative care; Religion; Spirituality.