Abstract / Summary
Abstract Background Muslim patients with serious illness often have distinct spiritual, cultural, and family-centred needs that influence palliative and end-of-life care. However, limited evidence exists on how palliative care specialists integrate these needs into clinical practice in African settings. This study explored palliative care specialists’ experiences, challenges, and adaptive strategies in delivering faith-sensitive care to Muslim patients in Ghana. Methods A qualitative exploratory descriptive design was used. At the time of data collection, only 12 palliative care specialists were available across the selected tertiary hospitals in Ghana. Of these, 9 consented to participate, and 7 specialists, comprising 1 physician and 6 nurses with 2 to 15 years of experience, completed the focus group discussions. Two participants were unable to participate due to emergency clinical responsibilities and persistent connectivity issues. Data were collected through face-to-face and virtual focus group discussions, audio-recorded, transcribed verbatim, managed and coded in ATLAS.ti version 25 and analysed using Braun and Clarke’s six-phase reflexive thematic analysis. Results Six themes were identified. Islamic spiritual practices, including prayer, Qur’an recitation, orientation towards the Kaaba, and timely release of the body after death, were perceived as central to patient comfort and dignity. Family involvement strongly shaped communication and decision-making. Reported challenges included language barriers, gender-concordant care preferences, limited formal training in Islamic end-of-life practices, the absence of Muslim chaplaincy services, and inadequate institutional policies. Participants also described adaptive strategies such as facilitating home deaths, involving Imams in care, ensuring gender-sensitive care, and expediting documentation to support timely burial. Conclusions Palliative care specialists recognised faith-sensitive care as a critical component of quality care for Muslim patients, but structural and institutional limitations hindered its consistent delivery. Strengthening professional training, interdisciplinary collaboration, and culturally responsive policies may enhance palliative care for Muslim patients in resource-limited settings.