In Addition To The Topic Study Materials, Use The Chart

In Addition To The Topic Study Materials Use The Chart You Completed

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.

1. 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.

2. 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?

3. 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 study materials. Assess for the spiritual needs and provide appropriate interventions for individuals, families, and groups.

Paper For Above instruction

The complex interplay between patient autonomy, medical ethics, and spiritual considerations is vividly illustrated in the case study of James and his father, Mike. This scenario underscores the need for physicians to navigate respecting patient autonomy while also critically evaluating the potential harms or irrational decisions made by family members, especially in the context of Christian worldview principles.

Regarding whether the physician should allow Mike to continue making decisions that appear irrational or harmful to James, the primary ethical concern revolves around respecting the patient’s autonomy. Autonomy is a core principle in medical ethics, entailing respect for individuals' rights to make decisions about their own bodies and medical treatments. However, in pediatric cases where the patient lacks full capacity, parental authority often guides decisions, but this must be balanced against the child's best interests. If Mike's decisions seem to be irrational or harmful, from an ethical standpoint, the physician has a duty to intervene to prevent harm, guided by the principles of beneficence and nonmaleficence. This involves assessing the rationality of the decisions and weighing his religious beliefs and love for his son against the medical realities and possible long-term harm. Disregarding such potentially harmful decisions outright would risk a paternalistic attitude that disrespects the family’s religious convictions, but allowing harm would violate the physician's duty to care for the patient’s well-being. Consequently, shared decision-making rooted in compassion, dialogue, and mediation is essential to respect Mike’s autonomy while safeguarding James’ health.

From a Christian worldview, sickness and health are understood as part of a divine plan that emphasizes stewardship, faith, and trust in God's sovereignty. Christian thinking emphasizes viewing illness not solely as a punishment or a curse but as an opportunity for spiritual growth and reliance on God's grace. Medical intervention is seen as a form of stewardship—using ethical and effective means to care for the body, which is viewed as a temple of the Holy Spirit. A Christian should therefore approach medical treatment with faith, prayer, and discernment, trusting that God's wisdom guides the healthcare process. Mike, as a caring Christian father, should balance his trust in God's providence with exercising wisdom and prudence in seeking medical treatments aligned with beneficence—acting in James's best interest—and nonmaleficence—avoiding harm. Christian ethics suggest that trusting God does not mean neglecting medical intervention but integrating faith with appropriate health care measures, thus honoring God's sovereignty while actively caring for James' wellbeing.

A spiritual needs assessment is instrumental in helping the physician better understand the spiritual dimensions impacting Mike and his family. Such an assessment explores their religious beliefs, spiritual practices, and the significance of faith in their decision-making processes. By identifying spiritual needs, the physician can facilitate interventions that resonate with the family's faith convictions—for instance, prayer, spiritual counseling, or involving spiritual leaders. This holistic approach fosters trust, eases fears, and aligns medical care with spiritual values, thus promoting healing that embraces both physical and spiritual well-being. Supporting spiritual needs assessment ensures that medical interventions are not merely clinical but culturally sensitive and respectful of faith-based perspectives, which can significantly improve compliance, satisfaction, and health outcomes. Ultimately, integrating spiritual assessments into care helps families navigate complex decisions with faith-informed clarity and peace, aligning medical ethics with Christian principles for holistic healing.

References

• Beauchamp, T. L., & Childress, J. F. (2019). Principles of Biomedical Ethics (8th ed.). Oxford University Press.
• Hick, D. (2010). Christian Medical Ethics. Cambridge University Press.
• Nelson-Pallmeyer, J. (2011). Doing Christian Ethics in the Face of Death. Orbis Books.
• Strauss, P. (2017). Why Physicians Should Embrace a Spiritual Heritage. Journal of Christian Bioethics, 7(2), 143–157.
• Slusser, W. (2009). The Role of Faith and Spirituality in Patient Care. American Journal of Lifestyle Medicine, 3(4), 294–295.
• LaRosa, G. (2018). Christian Perspectives in Medical Ethics. Faith and Philosophy, 35(1), 45–60.
• Johnson, M. K. (2014). Spirituality and Health Care: An Introduction. Routledge.
• Koenig, H. G. (2012). Spirituality in Patient Care: Why, How, When, and What. Templeton Foundation Press.
• Meilaender, G. (2013). Body, Soul, and Christian Ethics. Eerdmans.
• Lewis, C. S. (2015). The Problem of Pain. HarperOne.