Medical professionals’ perceptions of and experiences with terminally ill Orthodox Jewish patients

Medical professionals’ perceptions of and experiences with terminally ill Orthodox Jewish patients
American Journal of Hospice and Palliative Medicine; by Moshe C. Ornstein, David Harris; 1/25
Orthodox Jewish patients with terminal illnesses have unique goals and desires, often driven by halakha (Jewish law and ethics) and cultural norms. Compared to the general population, Orthodox Jewish patients with terminal illnesses are more likely to request aggressive measures at end-of-life and are less likely to have completed advanced directives and health care power of attorney documentation. They also do not always have a rabbinic authority involved in decision-making. Health care professionals highlighted strong religious and community support as positive elements of caring for this population and recommend that medical teams establish early and direct communication with rabbinic authorities for those patients for whom a rabbi’s involvement is desired.