Similarities and Differences Between the Jewish, Catholic and Islamic Religious Communities in Ethical Dilemmas at the End of Life in Palliative Care

Abstract

Ethical dilemmas in nursing are most pronounced in palliative and end-of-life care, where we meet the most demanding and complex needs of nursing care. The research discusses the importance of ethics, religion and spirituality in palliative care, from the perspective of three monotheistic religions and the emphasis on end-of-life ethical dilemmas and how religious beliefs can affect end-of-life medical care and nursing. The importance of ethics, religion and spirituality is presented in the research within three basic ethical principles, such as withholding and withdrawal of treatment, unjustified treatment and treatment with palliative sedation, and tried to justify its assessment in light of Jewish, Catholic and Islamic perspectives.

Keywords

• palliative care
• ethical dilemmas
• religion
• sanctity of life
• withholding treatment
• withdrawal of treatment
• palliative sedation