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In addition to the topic study materials, use the chart you completed and questions you answered in the Topic 3 about "Case Study: Healing and Autonomy" as the basis for your responses in this assignment. Answer the following questions about a patient's spiritual needs in light of the Christian worldview. Should the physician allow Mike to continue making decisions that seem to him to be irrational and harmful to James, or would that mean a disrespect of a patient's autonomy? Explain your rationale.

How ought the Christian think about sickness and health? How should a Christian think about medical intervention? What should Mike as a Christian do? How should he reason about trusting God and treating James in relation to what is truly honoring the principles of beneficence and nonmaleficence in James's care?

How would a spiritual needs assessment help the physician assist Mike determine appropriate interventions for James and for his family or others involved in his care? Remember to support your responses with the topic study materials.

Mike and Joanne are the parents of James and Samuel, identical twins born 8 years ago. James is currently suffering from acute glomerulonephritis, kidney failure. James was originally brought into the hospital for complications associated with a strep throat infection. The spread of the A streptococcus infection led to the subsequent kidney failure. James’s condition was acute enough to warrant immediate treatment. Usually cases of acute glomerulonephritis caused by strep infection tend to improve on their own or with an antibiotic. However, James also had elevated blood pressure and enough fluid buildup that required temporary dialysis to relieve. The attending physician suggested immediate dialysis.

After some time of discussion with Joanne, Mike informs the physician that they are going to forego the dialysis and place their faith in God. Mike and Joanne had been moved by a sermon their pastor had given a week ago, and also had witnessed a close friend regain mobility when she was prayed over at a healing service after a serious stroke. They thought it more prudent to take James immediately to a faith healing service instead of putting James through multiple rounds of dialysis. Yet, Mike and Joanne agreed to return to the hospital after the faith healing services later in the week, and in hopes that James would be healed by then. Two days later the family returned and was forced to place James on dialysis, as his condition had deteriorated.

Mike felt perplexed and tormented by his decision to not treat James earlier. Had he not enough faith? Was God punishing him or James? To make matters worse, James's kidneys had deteriorated such that his dialysis was now not a temporary matter and was in need of a kidney transplant. Crushed and desperate, Mike and Joanne immediately offered to donate one of their own kidneys to James, but they were not compatible donors. Over the next few weeks, amidst daily rounds of dialysis, some of their close friends and church members also offered to donate a kidney to James. However, none of them were tissue matches.

James’s nephrologist called to schedule a private appointment with Mike and Joanne. James was stable, given the regular dialysis, but would require a kidney transplant within the year. Given the desperate situation, the nephrologist informed Mike and Joanne of a donor that was an ideal tissue match, but as of yet had not been considered—James’s brother Samuel. Mike vacillates and struggles to decide whether he should have his other son Samuel lose a kidney or perhaps wait for God to do a miracle this time around. Perhaps this is where the real testing of his faith will come in? Mike reasons, “This time around it is a matter of life and death. What could require greater faith than that?"

Paper For Above Instructions

The dilemma surrounding patient autonomy and the role of physicians in making ethically sound decisions in situations of severe health crises is a challenging topic, particularly when intertwined with personal beliefs and spirituality. In the case of Mike and Joanne, who are grappling with their son James's acute health crisis, the question arises: Should the physician respect their decision to forego medical treatment for faith-based healing? The nature of autonomy is paramount in healthcare ethics; it requires that patients be permitted to make their own informed decisions regarding treatment. However, when those decisions are perceived as irrational or harmful, such as refusing necessary dialysis for a child suffering from kidney failure, the physician attains a complex crossroads of ethical responsibility.

The principle of autonomy is rooted in the belief that individuals have the right to make choices about their own lives, including healthcare decisions. According to Beauchamp and Childress (2013), respecting patient autonomy is vital in promoting a patient's best interests. However, Mike's decision, driven by religious conviction, raises concerns. Allowing him to proceed without intervention could be viewed as nihilistic disregard for medical standards. In this context, the physician must balance respect for parental autonomy with the ethical principles of beneficence—acting in the patient's best interest—and nonmaleficence—avoiding harm. Ethically, if the physician believes that James's life is in danger due to the parents' decision to forego treatment, they may have a duty to intervene, despite the family's wishes (Pellegrino & Thomasma, 1987).

From a Christian perspective, health and sickness are interpreted in complex theological contexts. Major biblical themes elucidate the notion that human life, including sickness, is under the sovereign authority of God, but also blesses the use of healing methods as wise and just. For instance, Scriptures such as Proverbs 3:5-6 advocate reliance on God, while also acknowledging that intelligence and knowledge should guide decision-making in health matters (Holy Bible, ESV). Christians may regard medical intervention as God's provision for healing; in fact, they are encouraged to seek wisdom in both their faith and practical actions (James 1:5, ESV). Hence, Mike, confronting critical decisions regarding James's health, needs to analyze his faith in God with the importance of responsible action in medical care.

Mike's faith journey leads him into a place of conflict as he contemplates whether his dependence on God signifies inadequate faith if he resorts to medical solutions for James. This tension can cause emotional turmoil, as portrayed in the narrative. Ideally, a Christian should recognize that trusting God for healing does not contradict the perspective that medical interventions can also deliver mercy and healing (Collins, 2007). The New Testament emphasizes the importance of caring for the sick as part of Jesus’ ministry (Matthew 25:36, ESV), thus reinforcing the notion that seeking treatment is aligned with Christian values of love, compassion, and responsibility for one's family (Horsfall et al., 2018).

In parallel to the overarching theme of parental responsibilities, Mike's role is inherently complex. Parents carry both the privilege and burden of making decisions that directly affect their child's welfare. He must wrestle with the competing priorities of honoring his faith, protecting his son, and fulfilling the ethical mandates of beneficence. Trusting God while deciding to utilize available medical resources does not negate Mike's faith; rather, it affirms his position as a responsible parent acting in James's best interest. Mike’s decisions must reflect a balance between his spirituality and the needs of his son, serving the greater good for James's health and future well-being (McKeithen, 2016).

A spiritual needs assessment can play a crucial role in aiding Mike. By engaging in this assessment, the physician can address Mike’s spiritual concerns and identify how his faith influences decision-making regarding James's care. This process allows for a deeper examination of how Mike perceives God’s presence during sickness and how his belief in divine healing might affect his willingness to cooperate with medical interventions. This assessment can unveil a myriad of interventions that support both James's physical needs and Mike’s emotional and spiritual health (Puchalski et al., 2009). Consequently, aligning treatment plans that honor both the spiritual dimensions of health and the practical approaches of modern medicine creates a holistic strategy that facilitates healing in all aspects.

In conclusion, the physician must navigate a delicate balance between respecting parental autonomy, fulfilling ethical duties of care, and addressing spiritual needs. The case of Mike and Joanne illustrates the multifaceted nature of decision-making in healthcare, especially when intertwined with matters of faith. Allowing health concerns and spiritual beliefs to coexist may provide a pathway toward reconciliation between faith and medicine, ultimately serving the best interests of patients.

References

• Beauchamp, T., & Childress, J. (2013). Principles of Biomedical Ethics. Oxford University Press.
• Collins, F. (2007). The Language of God: A Scientist Presents Evidence for Belief. Free Press.
• Holy Bible, English Standard Version (ESV).
• Horsfall, D., Noonan, K., & Wray, N. (2018). The Impact of Spirituality on Health and Well-Being: A Cross-Cultural Perspective. In K. H. E. J. W. Chui (Ed.), Spirituality in Health and Illness (pp. 1-23). Springer.
• McKeithen, E. (2016). Parenting with Purpose: The Role of Faith in Family Care. Family Communication, 14(3), 285-303.
• Pellegrino, E. D., & Thomasma, D. C. (1987). For the Patient's Good: The Restoration of Beneficence in Health Care. Oxford University Press.
• Puchalski, C. M., Wolf, S. P., & Twaddle, M. L. (2009). Spiritual Assessment and Intervention. In J. A. W. M. C. J. A. M. E. T. B. C. M. J. Cohen (Eds.), Handbook of Psychosocial Rehabilitation (pp. 245-261). SAGE Publications.

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