Quality of Life and Maintaining Health, Essay Example

Quality of life and maintaining health is an important core value that exists in today’s society and is conveyed in many different ways through individuals and families. One example involves a 75 year-old White male of German ethnicity with terminal Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease, which has gradually taken a toll on his health for many years. His wife has been deceased for quite some time, and in spite of his poor health, his children are heavily involved in decisions regarding his care and treatment in order to preserve the quality of his life for as long as possible. As the man has taken a turn for the worse yet remains mentally competent, he has agreed with the doctor’s recommendation and his family’s support to enter hospice care because this will provide him with the best chance of preserving the months or years of life that remain.

On the contrary, some individuals will not accept or strongly oppose healthcare interventions due to religion or other reasons. A 35 year-old African American female who is 38 weeks pregnant with her first pregnancy. She is at high risk of preeclampsia and opposes the recommendation of her physician to enter the hospital for several days of observation and bed rest, perhaps until the child is born. She is opposed to the idea because of her strong religious beliefs as a practicing Jehovah’s Witness. Although she has been under the watchful eye of a physician for most of her pregnancy, she considers this measure extreme, as it does not align with her religious principles.  By refusing to enter the hospital based on her doctor’s recommendations, she is likely to place herself and her unborn child at unnecessary risk that could potentially lead to dire consequences that could otherwise be prevented with proper treatment.