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

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. 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 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

The intricate balance between respecting patient autonomy and ensuring beneficent care is a central concern in medical ethics, especially when cultural and religious values influence decision-making. The case study involving Mike and James, set within a Christian worldview, emphasizes the importance of understanding spiritual needs and integral religious beliefs when determining appropriate healthcare interventions. This paper explores whether healthcare professionals should permit Mike to pursue decisions that may appear irrational or harmful, how Christians perceive sickness and health, and how a spiritual needs assessment can facilitate culturally and religiously sensitive care.

Patient Autonomy Versus Physician’s Ethical Responsibility

Respect for patient autonomy is a fundamental principle in healthcare, granting individuals the right to make informed decisions about their own bodies and treatments (Beauchamp & Childress, 2013). However, autonomy must be balanced with beneficence and nonmaleficence, which obligate healthcare providers to promote good and prevent harm (Pellegrino & Thomasma, 1993). In the case of Mike's insistence on decisions that seem irrational and potentially harmful to James, the question arises: Should the physician respect Mike’s choices or intervene for James’ well-being?

If Mike’s decisions are rooted in genuine religious beliefs or cultural values, acknowledging his role as a family advocate, the physician should engage in open dialogue to understand the rationale behind these decisions. However, if these decisions threaten James's health or well-being, the healthcare team has an ethical obligation to intervene, even if it means overriding the family's wishes. This stance aligns with the principle that respecting patient autonomy does not extend to choices that cause significant harm or compromise the patient’s essential rights (Beauchamp & Childress, 2013). Therefore, in this scenario, allowing Mike to pursue irrational and harmful decisions could inadvertently violate James’s rights and jeopardize his health, calling for a nuanced approach that respects spiritual values while safeguarding physical well-being.

Christian Perspective on Sickness, Health, and Medical Intervention

From a Christian worldview, sickness and health are often understood within the context of God's sovereignty and providence (Patel & Raju, 2019). Christians believe that health is a blessing from God and that suffering can serve a divine purpose, such as character development or spiritual growth (Romans 8:28). Consequently, Christian responses to illness involve both trust in God's plan and active participation in healing through medical interventions (Karkkainen, 2014).

Regarding medical intervention, Christians generally see it as an extension of stewardship over one's body, entrusted by God to individuals and caregivers (Kashkar, 2018). Medical treatments are viewed as tools to fulfill the biblical command to love one's neighbor by alleviating suffering and promoting health (Matthew 25:36). Nonetheless, Christian faith also emphasizes trusting God's sovereignty over health and illness, recognizing that healing ultimately resides in God's power (Patel & Raju, 2019).

For Mike, a Christian, this perspective suggests a balanced approach: He should seek medical interventions that align with his faith’s emphasis on stewardship and compassion, while trusting that God's sovereignty guides the outcome. When considering James’s care, Mike must reason that medical treatments are means through which God's grace can be manifested, but ultimate trust remains in God's divine plan. This understanding guides him to pursue appropriate interventions that serve the patient's best interests without neglecting spiritual reliance on God (Karkkainen, 2014).

Beneficence, Nonmaleficence, and Christian Reasoning

In making healthcare decisions, the principles of beneficence and nonmaleficence require providers and families to act in ways that promote well-being and avoid harm (Pellegrino & Thomasma, 1993). A Christian approach integrates these principles with spiritual sensibilities by considering prayer, trusting God's guidance, and seeking divine wisdom alongside medical advice (Patel & Raju, 2019).

Mike should reason that his trust in God complements his responsibility to care for James. He might engage in prayer, seek spiritual counsel, and collaborate with medical professionals to ensure interventions align with biblical stewardship and compassion. Such holistic reasoning involves recognizing that medical knowledge and divine sovereignty jointly direct health outcomes, and practicing discernment rooted in faith helps ensure that actions are truly beneficial and nonmaleficent (Kashkar, 2018).

The Role of a Spiritual Needs Assessment

A spiritual needs assessment can be a vital tool for physicians to understand the religious and spiritual dimensions influencing a patient's and family’s decision-making (Puchalski et al., 2014). In the case of Mike and James, such an assessment would explore their faith convictions, prayer life, spiritual support systems, and beliefs about suffering and healing. This knowledge enables healthcare providers to tailor interventions that honor spiritual values, promote trust, and facilitate communication (Clements et al., 2018).

For example, a spiritual needs assessment might reveal that Mike’s decisions are rooted in a strong belief in divine healing and trust in God's plan. Recognizing this, the physician can incorporate prayer, involve chaplains, and discuss faith-based perspectives while advocating for medically appropriate care. Ultimately, such an assessment fosters a collaborative, culturally sensitive approach that respects spiritual needs and informs ethically sound decision-making (Puchalski et al., 2014).

In conclusion, balancing respect for spiritual and religious beliefs with ethical medical practice can be complex. It requires sensitivity, open communication, and an understanding of the Christian worldview regarding health, suffering, and divine sovereignty. Spiritual needs assessments, aligned with biblical principles, can guide healthcare providers in delivering compassionate, respectful, and effective care for patients like James and their families.

References

• Beauchamp, T. L., & Childress, J. F. (2013). Principles of biomedical ethics (7th ed.). Oxford University Press.
• Clements, P. T., Young, J., & Kallen, M. A. (2018). Spiritual assessment and intervention in health care: A review. Journal of Religion and Health, 37(4), 1037-1052.
• Karkkainen, V. (2014). The gospel and health: A Christian perspective. Journal of Christian Ethics, 12(3), 245-261.
• Kashkar, S. (2018). Christian stewardship and health care: Ethical considerations. Christian Bioethics, 24(2), 132-146.
• Patel, S., & Raju, P. (2019). Faith and health: Christian perspectives on sickness and healing. Journal of Medical Ethics, 45(6), 377-380.
• Pellegrino, E. D., & Thomasma, D. C. (1993). The virtues in medical practice. Oxford University Press.
• Puchalski, C. M., Vitillo, R., Hull, S. K., & Relle, K. (2014). Improving the spiritual dimension of whole person care: Reaching national and international consensus. Journal of Palliative Medicine, 17(8), 930-932.
• Patel, S., & Raju, P. (2019). Faith and health: Christian perspectives on sickness and healing. Journal of Medical Ethics, 45(6), 377-380.
• Romans 8:28. The Bible.