WHEN SPIRITUAL AND HEALTHCARE COLLIDE

WHEN SPIRITUAL AND HEALTHCARE COLLIDE 2

Opinion-based question

Medical interventions must not be implemented against an individual’s religious beliefs

unless they permit it or their advance care directive give such directions. The current healthcare

delivery system has shifted from overemphasis in quality care to centering on enhancing quality

care, patients, and community health while reducing health care costs and promoting adequate

access to care (Lawler et al., 2016). Realizing these necessitates that healthcare providers value

patients’ beliefs, opinions, culture, and ideas. Going against individuals’ religious beliefs by

providing medical interventions against their religious beliefs without permission is disrespectful

and unethical. It significantly affects care quality and patient care outcomes. Patients will

possibly trust healthcare providers who respect their beliefs. Such respect for their religious

beliefs encourages them to seek care. This is because they believe someone in the healthcare

system understands them and is ready to provide care that meets their needs.

Moreover, patient autonomy contained in the Patient’s Bill of Rights states that healthcare

providers, hospitals, and everyone must respect patients’ opinions, cultures, beliefs, and decisions

irrespective of how they appear a threat to their health (Lawler et al., 2016). Right channels exist

that healthcare providers should follow to warrant that patient autonomy is granted, whether

patients are children or incompetent. There are no excuses for breaching patients’ right to

autonomy.

This question reminds me of a Jehovah’s Witness patients who refused a medical

intervention because it would disrespect her religious belief. About four years ago, I volunteered

in one hospital where I worked in the outpatient emergency department to do some light tasks

that met my skills. One afternoon, a middle-aged female came to the emergency unit with

massive acute bleeding. Her bleeding was potentially life-threatening based on the healthcare