“I Would Rather Die Than Have a Blood Transfusion:” A Dialogue About Life, Death, and Freedom of Conscience

Abstract

This article documents and analyzes the case of a physician encountering an ethical dilemma that pitted his wishes and professional oath against respecting the specific religious requirements of a patient and his family around the patient’s medical care. In conversation with an educator who focuses on equity and diversity issues, the physician recounts the details of the case against the backdrop of relevant medical literature. The reflective duoethnographic-style dialogue herein draws on parallel issues surrounding respecting freedom of conscience, and religious diversity in medical and educational settings, and recounts some of the personal and professional implications of professional decisions, sometimes entailing life and death consequences.