Ethical Issues in the Care of Patients Whose Personal, Religious, or Cultural Beliefs Impact Clinical Management Strategies.

Ethical principles regarding respect for patient autonomy in medical decision-making and the impact of religion, culture, and other issues on clinical care have been extensively reviewed in the medical literature. At the same time, despite physicians having an understanding of the underlying ethical principles in clinical decision-making, challenges arise when managing complicated clinical problems for which medical treatment is available, but not acceptable to the patient. For example, many anesthesiologists are challenged when caring for one of Jehohah's Witnesses who refuses to receive blood or blood products despite the potential consequences of doing so.