Posted: August 17th, 2023

Discussion 1: Definition of Spiritual Care

Case Study: Healing and Autonomy
Mike and Joanne are the parents of James and Samuel, identical twins born 8 years ago. James is currently suffering from acute glomerulonephritis, kidney failure. James was originally brought into the hospital for complications associated with a strep throat infection. The spread of the A streptococcus infection led to the subsequent kidney failure. James’s condition was acute enough to warrant immediate treatment. Usually cases of acute glomerulonephritis caused by strep infection tend to improve on their own or with an antibiotic. However, James also had elevated blood pressure and enough fluid buildup that required temporary dialysis to relieve.
The attending physician suggested immediate dialysis. After some time of discussion with Joanne, Mike informs the physician that they are going to forego the dialysis and place their faith in God. Mike and Joanne had been moved by a sermon their pastor had given a week ago, and also had witnessed a close friend regain mobility when she was prayed over at a healing service after a serious stroke. They thought it more prudent to take James immediately to a faith healing service instead of putting James through multiple rounds of dialysis. Yet, Mike and Joanne agreed to return to the hospital after the faith healing services later in the week, and in hopes that James would be healed by then.
Two days later the family returned and was forced to place James on dialysis, as his condition had deteriorated. Mike felt perplexed and tormented by his decision to not treat James earlier. Had he not enough faith? Was God punishing him or James? To make matters worse, James’s kidneys had deteriorated such that his dialysis was now not a temporary matter and was in need of a kidney transplant. Crushed and desperate, Mike and Joanne immediately offered to donate one of their own kidneys to James, but they were not compatible donors. Over the next few weeks, amidst daily rounds of dialysis, some of their close friends and church members also offered to donate a kidney to James. However, none of them were tissue matches.
James’s nephrologist called to schedule a private appointment with Mike and Joanne. James was stable, given the regular dialysis, but would require a kidney transplant within the year. Given the desperate situation, the nephrologist informed Mike and Joanne of a donor that was an ideal tissue match, but as of yet had not been considered—James’s brother Samuel.
Mike vacillates and struggles to decide whether he should have his other son Samuel lose a kidney or perhaps wait for God to do a miracle this time around. Perhaps this is where the real testing of his faith will come in? Mike reasons, “This time around it is a matter of life and death. What could require greater faith than that?”

Discussion 1. What is your definition of spiritual care? How does it differ or accord with the description given in the topic readings? Explain.

Discussion 2. When it comes to facilitating spiritual care for patients with worldviews different from your own, what are your strengths and weaknesses? If you were the patient, who would have the final say in terms of ethical decision-making and intervention in the event of a difficult situation?

Case Analysis

In 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 200-250 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 400-500 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 200-250 words, respond to the following: How would a spiritual needs assessment help the physician Help 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.

Benchmark Information

This benchmark assignment assesses the following programmatic competencies:

BS in Health Sciences 1.2; BS Nursing (RN to BSN ) 5.2

Assess for the spiritual needs and provide appropriate interventions for individuals, families, and groups.. References: Sheridan, M. M. (2022). Spiritual care: A concept analysis. Journal of Advanced Nursing, 78(1), 153-163. doi:10.1111/jan.15003
Tomasik, M. J., & Fitchett, G. (2020). Spiritual care competencies for healthcare professionals: A scoping review. Journal of Religion and Health, 59(4), 1551-1564. doi:10.1007/s10943-020-00880-x. Cunningham, A., & Carson, V. B. (2021). Spiritual care in healthcare: A practical guide. New York, NY: Springer Publishing.
Ecklund, G. E., & Park, J. Z. (2020). Religion and spirituality in healthcare: A review and synthesis of the literature. Annual Review of Sociology, 46(1), 427-452. doi:10.1146/annurev-soc-080519-015322

Discussion 1: Definition of Spiritual Care

Spiritual care refers to the holistic approach of addressing an individual’s spiritual well-being, values, beliefs, and sense of purpose within the context of their healthcare journey. It involves recognizing and respecting the spiritual dimensions of a person’s identity and integrating these aspects into their overall care plan. Spiritual care aims to provide emotional and existential support, alleviate distress, and foster a sense of connectedness and meaning for patients and their families. This approach recognizes that spiritual health is an integral part of overall well-being and can impact a person’s physical, emotional, and mental health.

In the context of the case study, spiritual care would involve understanding and respecting Mike and Joanne’s deeply held religious beliefs and their faith-based approach to healing. It requires healthcare professionals to engage in compassionate conversations, actively listen, and collaborate with patients and families to ensure that their spiritual values and preferences are acknowledged and integrated into the treatment plan.

Discussion 2: Facilitating Spiritual Care for Different Worldviews

When facilitating spiritual care for patients with differing worldviews, healthcare professionals should aim to create a culturally sensitive and inclusive environment. Strengths in this context include open-mindedness, empathy, active listening, and a willingness to learn about and understand diverse spiritual beliefs. Weaknesses might involve biases or misunderstandings stemming from personal beliefs or lack of familiarity with certain worldviews.

In terms of ethical decision-making, the patient’s autonomy should be respected while also considering their best interests and potential harm. In difficult situations, a collaborative approach involving the patient, their family, and the healthcare team is ideal. If the patient is unable to make decisions, advance directives or discussions with the patient’s designated healthcare proxy become important.

Case Analysis: Patient’s Spiritual Needs in Light of Christian Worldview

Allowing Irrational Decisions: The physician must respect Mike’s autonomy while also considering James’s well-being. While it’s essential to respect patient autonomy, it’s equally important to ensure the best interests of the patient. The physician could engage in open dialogue, providing information about the risks of not receiving necessary treatment and addressing Mike’s concerns about faith. Collaborative decision-making, involving medical expertise and spiritual beliefs, might lead to a compromise that aligns with both medical and spiritual well-being.

Christian Perspective on Sickness and Health: Christians believe in God’s sovereignty over life and health. Medical intervention is often seen as a means through which God works to bring healing. Mike should acknowledge that seeking medical treatment doesn’t necessarily undermine his faith; rather, it can be an act of trusting God’s provision through medical professionals. Considering the seriousness of James’s condition, pursuing medical interventions, including transplantation, is a responsible and caring approach. This approach is consistent with the principles of beneficence (doing good) and nonmaleficence (avoiding harm).

Spiritual Needs Assessment: A spiritual needs assessment would help the physician understand Mike’s and Joanne’s religious beliefs, their values, and their understanding of James’s situation. This assessment would provide insights into how their faith informs their decision-making process. It could lead to a more nuanced approach that integrates their spirituality with the medical treatment plan, promoting a more holistic and effective care experience for James and his family.

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