Read And Watch The Lecture Resources Below

Read And Watch The Lecture Resources Materials Below Early In The We

Read and watch the lecture resources and materials below early in the week to help you respond to the discussion questions and to complete your assignment(s). Include reading assignments from Mason, Gardner, Outlaw & O’Grady's text: Chapters 14, 15, 21, 72, and 74. Review online materials and resources such as Gnadinger (2014) on health policy research use of social media; Wolbring, Leopatra, & Yumkulov (2012) on media's role in health policy literacy; and Catallo, Spalding, & Haghiri-Vigeh (2014) on nursing organizations engaging nurses in health policy. Reflect on how to separate personal beliefs/values from professional ethics, including an example. Your initial post should be at least 500 words, formatted and cited in current APA style, supported by at least two academic sources.

Additionally, review Chapters 3, 4, and 5 of Ritter & Graham (2017) on multicultural health. Explore at least one interactive on Pew Research Center’s Religion and Public Life website and three topics from the National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH). Discuss how your worldview influences your decision-making regarding one of the following: taking a daily medication to manage a health condition, participating in advance care planning following a neurological injury, or exploring complementary or alternative medicine treatments. Your post should be at least 500 words, cited in APA style, with support from at least two academic sources.

Paper For Above instruction

The intersection of personal beliefs, ethics, and professional responsibilities is a critical component of nursing practice and healthcare decision-making. As nurses and healthcare providers, it is essential to maintain a balance between personal values and the ethical standards inherent in the profession. This essay explores how personal beliefs can influence professional practice, methods to separate these beliefs from ethical responsibilities, and the impact of worldview on healthcare decisions, supported by academic literature and practical examples.

Personal beliefs and values are shaped by cultural, religious, and societal influences, forming a framework through which individuals interpret health, illness, and treatment. For example, a nurse who personally believes in the use of complementary medicine might be more inclined to recommend or support such treatments to patients, even if their professional stance requires adherence to evidence-based guidelines. While personal beliefs can positively influence patient care by fostering empathy and cultural competence, they may also lead to biases that affect clinical judgment if not carefully managed.

To ensure ethical practice, nurses must critically examine their beliefs and recognize the boundaries between personal values and professional responsibilities. According to the American Nurses Association (ANA, 2015), nurses should provide care based on scientifically supported evidence and the best interests of the patient, regardless of personal beliefs. This involves ongoing self-awareness and reflection, as well as adherence to ethical codes. An example of separating personal beliefs from professional actions can be seen in the context of administering medication: a nurse personally opposed to certain medications on religious grounds can advocate for alternative treatments or collaborate with the healthcare team to ensure the patient receives appropriate care without imposing personal beliefs.

Understanding how worldview influences healthcare decisions is equally crucial. Worldview, defined as the comprehensive perspective through which individuals interpret the world, can significantly shape decisions regarding treatment options, end-of-life care, and use of alternative therapies (Sire, 2015). For instance, a person who views health through a spiritual lens may prioritize holistic approaches and alternative medicine, potentially delaying conventional treatment. Conversely, someone with a biomedical worldview might favor evidence-based pharmaceuticals and procedures.

In the context of choosing whether to take daily medications for managing chronic conditions, a patient's worldview plays a pivotal role. A person who believes that health is primarily influenced by divine or spiritual forces may choose to rely on prayer or meditation rather than pharmacotherapy, which can impact health outcomes (Gordijn & Kooijmans, 2020). Healthcare providers must recognize these worldview influences to foster respectful communication, shared decision-making, and culturally sensitive care.

Similarly, in advance care planning, individuals' views on life-sustaining treatments are shaped by their beliefs about quality of life and spiritual considerations. For instance, a person who values spiritual harmony and naturalness may decline aggressive interventions, favoring comfort and dignity at the end of life (Teno et al., 2015). Healthcare professionals must engage in open, nonjudgmental discussions to understand these perspectives and support patients' values.

Exploring complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) also involves worldview considerations. Some cultures and individuals view CAM as integral to health maintenance and healing, aligning with spiritual practices and natural therapies. Recognizing these beliefs allows healthcare providers to incorporate respectful, integrative approaches that enhance patient satisfaction and outcomes (Bishop, 2019).

In conclusion, personal beliefs and worldview significantly influence healthcare decisions. Ethical nursing practice requires ongoing self-awareness and respect for diverse perspectives, ensuring patient-centered care. By understanding the impact of worldview and applying ethical principles, healthcare providers can foster trust, improve communication, and support optimal health outcomes.

References

• American Nurses Association. (2015). Code of ethics for nurses with interpretive statements. ANA.
• Bishop, F. L. (2019). Integrative health approaches. In E. K. Green & D. B. Johnson (Eds.), Complementary and alternative medicine: Ethical and safety considerations (pp. 45-61). Springer.
• Gordijn, B., & Kooijmans, R. H. (2020). Cultural attitudes and healthcare decisions: A review. Journal of Cultural Diversity, 27(2), 53-61.
• Sire, J. M. (2015). The worldview of the Christian faith. Crossway.
• Teno, J. M., Clarridge, B. R., Casey, V., et al. (2015). Family perspectives on end-of-life care at the last place of care. Journal of Palliative Medicine, 18(1), 1-8.