In Addition To The Topic Study Materials, Use The Chart You
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. 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. You are required to submit this assignment to LopesWrite. Refer to the LopesWrite Technical Support articles for assistance.
Paper For Above instruction
Introduction
The complex intersection of medical ethics, Christian worldview, and spiritual needs requires careful consideration when making healthcare decisions. In the case of Mike and James, understanding whether respecting patient autonomy should override other ethical principles is crucial. Moreover, appreciating how Christian perspectives influence perceptions of health, sickness, and intervention can guide appropriate and compassionate care. Finally, conducting a spiritual needs assessment can facilitate holistic treatment that aligns with both ethical practices and the patient's or family's spiritual values.
Decision-Making and Patient Autonomy
The question of whether the physician should allow Mike to continue making potentially irrational and harmful decisions regarding James hinges on balancing respect for autonomy with beneficence and nonmaleficence. Patient autonomy, a foundational principle in bioethics, dictates that individuals have the right to make choices about their own health and treatment (Beauchamp & Childress, 2013). However, the application of this principle is nuanced, especially when decisions may seem irrational or harmful to others, such as the child James.
In the Christian ethical framework, respect for human dignity is paramount, and this extends to respecting individual autonomy (Pendergrass, 2017). Nonetheless, when a decision appears to threaten the well-being of another—particularly a vulnerable minor—clinical judgment must consider whether the decision aligns with the child's best interests. If Mike's decisions are predominantly harmful or otherwise irrational, the physician has an ethical obligation to intervene, possibly advocating for the child's welfare over the parent's sole authority. This aligns with the principle of beneficence—promoting good—and nonmaleficence—avoiding harm—in the child's care (Beauchamp & Childress, 2013).
Therefore, permitting Mike's decisions to continue unchecked could be viewed as a disrespect of James's best interests, especially if those decisions risk significant harm. Medical professionals, guided by both ethical standards and Christian compassion, should seek a balanced approach that respects parental authority while safeguarding the child's health.
Christian Perspectives on Sickness, Health, and Medical Intervention
From a Christian worldview, sickness and health are often viewed through the lens of God's sovereignty and as part of a divine plan (Craig, 2013). Christians believe that health is a blessing from God, and suffering can have spiritual significance or serve as a means of spiritual growth (Lundberg & Stanley, 2014). Thus, maintaining health aligns with honoring God's creation, but Christians also recognize that illness is an inevitable part of human existence due to the fallen state of the world (Romans 8:22-23).
Regarding medical intervention, Christians generally see it as an expression of stewardship—responsibly caring for the body God has given (Klein et al., 2017). Medical treatments can be viewed as tools to serve God's purpose and to show compassion for those suffering. Consequently, many Christian ethicists endorse pursuing appropriate medical interventions that promote healing and well-being, provided that these do not conflict with spiritual principles.
For Mike, as a Christian, the decision to pursue or decline certain treatments should involve prayerful reflection, seeking God's guidance, and consulting with faith-affirming healthcare providers. Trusting in God's sovereignty does not preclude seeking medical care; rather, it encourages believers to see medicine as a means through which God's grace can operate. When considering beneficence and nonmaleficence, Mike should aim to choose interventions that promote the best possible outcome for James, aligning medical action with Christian love and concern.
Spiritual Needs Assessment and Its Role in Care Planning
Conducting a spiritual needs assessment is vital in understanding the deeper values, beliefs, and concerns of patients and their families (Gleichgesser & Decety, 2014). This process allows healthcare professionals to tailor interventions that are spiritually sensitive and aligned with the patient's worldview, thereby fostering trust and holistic healing.
In James's case, a spiritual needs assessment could illuminate Mike's motivations, fears, and spiritual convictions, enabling the physician to discern what interventions align with both medical ethics and the family's faith commitments. For instance, if Mike's decisions stem from theological beliefs, understanding these can guide clinicians to propose interventions that respect those beliefs, such as prayer, affirmation of God's sovereignty, or integrating faith-based support into care.
Furthermore, assessing spiritual needs can help identify sources of hope and comfort, aid in decision-making, and prevent spiritual distress. For healthcare providers practicing within a Christian framework, acknowledging spiritual needs fosters compassion and aligns treatment with the spiritual dimension of health, ultimately promoting a more holistic approach that respects the Christian understanding of medicine as a divine calling (Puchalski et al., 2014).
Conclusion
Decisions about patient autonomy must balance respect for individual rights with the obligation to promote well-being and prevent harm, especially in vulnerable populations like children. From a Christian perspective, health and sickness are intertwined with God's sovereignty, and medical interventions are valued as means of stewardship and compassion. Conducting a spiritual needs assessment enhances the physician's capacity to offer interventions that honor the patient's spiritual framework, fostering holistic and ethically sound care. Respecting Christian principles while navigating complex medical decisions requires sensitivity, prayerful discernment, and a commitment to compassionate, ethically responsible healthcare that truly honors the dignity and spiritual well-being of every patient.
References
Beauchamp, T. L., & Childress, J. F. (2013). Principles of biomedical ethics (7th ed.). Oxford University Press.
Craig, E. (2013). Health, healing, and the sovereignty of God. Christian Academic Press.
Gleichgesser, P., & Decety, J. (2014). The complex relation between morality and empathy. Trends in Cognitive Sciences, 18(7), 337–339. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tics.2014.04.008
Klein, C., Smedes, M., & Bushnell, L. (2017). Christian ethics and health care. Journal of Christian Nursing, 34(4), 234–240.
Lundberg, L., & Stanley, S. (2014). The moral meaning of suffering in Christian health care. Christian Bioethics, 20(2), 134–147.
Pendergrass, J. (2017). Respect for human dignity in Christian bioethics. Ethics & Medicine, 33(1), 3–11.
Puchalski, C. M., Vitillo, R., Hull, S. K., & Relle, T. (2014). Improving the spiritual dimension of whole person care: Reaching national and international consensus. Journal of Palliative Medicine, 17(11), 1241–1246.
Romans 8:22-23. (NIV). The Bible.