Jehovahs Witnesses and Refusal of Blood Products - Essay Example

Should medical professionals heed the Hippocratic Oath and do their best to save a life?  Or, should they respect patients’ religious beliefs and compromise on quality of healthcare?

Since there is no straightforward answer to these questions, healthcare professionals will have to tread the balance between medical ethics and cultural sensitivity.  Such discretion is all the more necessary in a country like the United States, where there is such diversity of race, religion, and cultural background.  For example, nearly a third of the population is derived from various racial minorities, while religious expression also varies from conservative to liberal.  In this regard, it is a prerequisite for healthcare professionals to take into account the cultural restrictions and religious doctrines of individual patients before deciding on a course of treatment.  Just like Jehovah’s Witnesses have their own code of conduct, so too do various other denominations of Christianity followed in the country.  Similarly, Muslims have their own mandates to follow.  Hence, understanding and accommodating diversity is important for those in the healthcare field.