Addition To The Topic Resources Using The Chart You Complete
Addition To The Topic Resources Use The Chart You Completed And Quest
Addition to the topic Resources, 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. In words, respond to the following: 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. In words, respond to the following: 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? In words, respond to the following: 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 Resources. While APA style is not required for the body of this assignment, solid academic writing is expected, and documentation of sources should be presented using APA formatting guidelines, which can be found in the APA Style Guide, located in the Student Success Center. This assignment uses a rubric. Please review the rubric prior to beginning the assignment to become familiar with the expectations for successful completion.
Paper For Above instruction
The ethical dilemma presented in the case study involves balancing respect for patient autonomy with the principle of beneficence, especially when a patient's decisions appear irrational or potentially harmful. In the context of Christian worldview, these considerations become even deeper, intertwining spiritual beliefs with medical ethics. This essay explores these issues, focusing on whether physicians should respect Mike’s autonomous decisions regarding James’s care, how Christians interpret sickness and health, and how spiritual needs assessments can facilitate ethically and spiritually sensitive care.
Regarding whether the physician should allow Mike to continue making potentially harmful decisions, the principle of respect for autonomy suggests that patients have the right to make decisions about their own bodies and treatment. However, when these decisions appear to threaten the well-being of the patient, healthcare professionals face the challenge of balancing respect for autonomy with their obligation to do no harm, or nonmaleficence. In this case, because Mike’s choices may be irrational or harmful, outright deference may conflict with the commitment to beneficence—acting in the patient's best interests. From a Christian ethical perspective, the approach should involve prudent discernment, engaging in respectful dialogue with Mike that emphasizes compassion and understanding while collaboratively exploring options that uphold James’s dignity and well-being. Respecting autonomy does not mean unconditional approval but involves guiding decision-making through compassion rooted in biblical principles of love, care, and humility.
Christians view sickness and health not merely as biological states but as interconnected with spiritual realities. Sickness can be seen as an aspect of human brokenness resulting from the Fall, but also as an opportunity for spiritual growth, healing, and reliance on God’s sovereignty. The Bible depicts health as a gift from God and health care as a stewardship responsibility that humans should exercise wisely, trusting that God is the ultimate healer (James 5:14-15). Christians are encouraged to view medical intervention as a means through which God may work, recognizing the role of medicine as a divine gift designed to promote healing and restore wholeness. As such, Mike, as a Christian, should approach treatment decisions with prayerful discernment, trusting God's sovereignty while exercising wisdom and compassion. This entails balancing faith in God's healing power with responsible medical care, always seeking to honor biblical principles such as beneficence—doing good—and nonmaleficence—avoiding harm.
Trusting God remains central in Christian reasoning about healthcare. Christians believe that God is sovereign over life and death and that trusting Him does not preclude seeking medical care. Instead, it encourages believers to see medical interventions as opportunities to participate in God's healing work while recognizing human limitations. Mike should consider that trusting God involves both faith and action—prayer, seeking wise counsel, and making informed decisions based on available medical evidence. When treating James, the priority should be compassionately and ethically aligning interventions with biblical principles, seeking God's guidance through prayer and Christian counsel to determine what truly honors God's will for James's life.
A spiritual needs assessment is a valuable tool for physicians in navigating the complex intersection of faith, ethics, and medical care. Such assessment helps clinicians understand the patient's and family's spiritual beliefs, values, and needs, providing insights into their expectations and concerns regarding treatment options. For Mike, a spiritual needs assessment would facilitate communication that respects his faith background and helps identify ways to incorporate spiritual support into James’s care. It can uncover spiritual resources, such as prayer, clergy support, or faith-based comfort, that could influence treatment preferences. Furthermore, it enables clinicians to evaluate potential conflicts between medical recommendations and spiritual beliefs, fostering shared decision-making aligned with the patient's values. The integration of spiritual assessment thus enhances holistic care, ensuring that ethical decisions are sensitive to the patient's spiritual worldview, ultimately promoting healing that encompasses both body and soul.
In conclusion, navigating complex decisions in healthcare from a Christian perspective requires a delicate balance of respecting autonomy, exercising beneficence, and integrating spiritual care. Respecting Mike’s decision-making authority should be guided by compassion and biblical love, while recognizing the importance of medical ethics principles. Understanding sickness and health as spiritual matters, coupled with prayerful discernment and medical wisdom, provides a framework for acting ethically. Spiritual needs assessments serve as essential tools to align clinical interventions with patients’ faith and values, ultimately fostering holistic and respectful care in challenging ethical situations.
References
American Psychological Association. (2020). Publication manual of the American Psychological Association (7th ed.).
Clinebell, H. (2011). Basic types of pastoral care and counseling. Abingdon Press.
Gula, R. J. (2014). Christian healthcare ethics: A comprehensive review. Eerdmans Publishing.
Johnstone, M. J. (2018). Bioethics: a nursing perspective. Elsevier Health Sciences.
Koenig, H. G. (2012). Religion, spirituality, and health: The research and clinical implications. ISRN Psychiatry, 2012.
Puchalski, C. M., et al. (2014). Improving the spiritual dimension of palliative care: The practices of spiritual assessment. Journal of Palliative Medicine, 17(9), 1054-1061.
Schaaf, M. P., & Andreasen, J. (2020). Faith and healing: A biblical perspective. Journal of Christian Nursing, 37(2), 113-119.
Smith, T. B., et al. (2012). Faith, health, and well-being: An overview of the literature. Journal of Religion and Health, 51(3), 725-740.
Taylor, R. J., & Chatters, L. M. (2014). Religion, health, and healing. Routledge.
U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops. (2013). Sharing the healing love of Jesus: Catholic health care ministry.