Next week, Jack, a school nurse, is planning to check the students in his elementary school for scoliosis and vision, hearing and dental problems. The school has a large number of students who are the children of immigrants from the Middle East, Southeast Asia and Africa. In a recent nursing workshop, Jack heard about transcultural health care. He wants to make sure he provides good care to the students. After the principal sent a note to the students’ parents telling them about these screenings, several parents expressed concern. The concerned parents were from the following traditions: Muslim, Hmong, Sikh and Christian Science.

Issues and Study Questions

• Based on the overview above, what is the conflict?
• What are the beliefs at issue here?
• Why did the parents object?
• What could Jack, the school or the parents do differently?
• Why was religion an issue in this situation?
• What is the responsibility of schools/nurses in such a situation? What about other professions?
• Do you think there is a “right” and “wrong” way to handle this situation? Why? Why not?
• Have you faced similar conflicts in your own profession or personal life? If so, what were they? Were they resolved?
• What can be learned?
• Do you think education about religious literacy would have helped/harmed in this situation? How so?

Source: Religion and the Professions (General Honors 1030) taught by Dr. Jill Raitt, University of Missouri