The impact of religion on changes in end-of-life practices in European intensive care units: a comparative analysis over 16 years.
Joerg C SchefoldLivio RuzzanteCharles L SprungAnastasiia GruberEldar SoreideJoseph CosgroveSudakshina MullickGeorgios PapathanakosVasilios KoulourasPaulo Azevedo MaiaBara RicouMartin PoschPhilipp MetnitzHans-Henrik BülowAlexander Avidannull nullPublished in: Intensive care medicine (2023)
Changes in end-of-life practices observed over 16 years appear unrelated to religious affiliations of ICU patients or their treating physicians, but the effects of religiosity and/or culture could not be assessed. Shorter time until decision in the ICU and increased numbers of patient and family discussions may indicate increased awareness of the importance of end-of-life decision-making in the ICU.