Spiritual and cultural influences on end-of-life care decision-making: a comparative analysis of the Arab Middle East and the United Kingdom

Purpose of review This review seeks to explain the impact of cultural and spiritual factors on end-of-life care decision-making from different countries to assist in the development of coherent responses for palliative care. Recent findings Spiritual and cultural factors shape end-of-life decision-making in the Arab Middle East and the United Kingdom. Arab cultures emphasize dignity through faith and family, leading to collective decisions, while the United Kingdom focuses on individual autonomy. Both allow withdrawal from futile treatment to alleviate suffering, but Arab approaches are more family centric. Additionally, spirituality in Arab cultures is often collective and religious, compared to the personal and secular practices common in the United Kingdom. Summary Western and Arab Middle East cultural beliefs influence our understanding of death, dying, and the acceptability of various care options. As people near the end of life, spiritual issues are likely to affect their values and preferences.