nursing and ethics

Answer

Christianity in Nursing and Ethics

Ethics are moral principles that determine how individuals engage in their accomplishments—one of the fundamental aspects of engaging the people who tend to apply these moral principles in decision-making. Healthcare profession – especially nursing – requires a good understanding of ethical principles when making treatment decisions. On some occasions, Christianity tends to play a major role in most of the decisions made by physicians. This paper, therefore, highlights patients’ spiritual needs in light of the Christian worldview during medication. Consequently, it applies key principles of ethics that physicians should use while advising the patient to make a rational decision. Additionally, it provides a Christian perspective of sickness and treatment. Moreover, it elucidates the need and the importance of spiritual assessment in determining an appropriate for families. 

Decision Making and the Principle of Autonomy

            Since the physician was already aware of Mike’s family's religion stand and complication of James’ health, he should not let Mike make irrational and harmful decision that would further complicate James' condition. This is because respect for patients' autonomy also requires physicians to help patients make an informed decision. (Torry, 2017). The physician was already aware of the moral actions made by Mike and Joanne that worsened James’ situation. Additionally, from the medical point of view, the physician was aware that further delay might worsen James’ condition. Therefore, the physician should provide Mike and Joanne with adequate and relevant information to understand the need for immediate medical intervention option for James. 

      Any attempt to thwart or influence the physician's decision-making process is a disrespect to the patient’s autonomy. The autonomy principle requires that the patient or a close relative – if the patient is unconscious or too young to make decisions –make the informed decisions. However, it is the responsibility of a medical practitioner or the physician to provide them with relevant information and assist in making rational decisions. Therefore, the physician should not leave Mike to make an irrational decision that might harm James providing the relevant information. 

Christian’s Perspective of Sickness and Health

            Christianity has a different approach or perspective on health and sickness. The standpoint of Christians is that sickness, healing comes from above. Christians believe that the ultimate health of a human comes from God. The account of their perspective traces back from the Bible when Jesus is portrayed as a physician. Therefore, Christians think that health comes from God, and in case of sickness, it is only God that heals and restores health (McTavish, 2018). As a result of this perspective, Mike believes that James’ sickness and health condition is a way that God is using to test his faith. 

            The Christian thinking about medical intervention varies based on biblical interpretation, which also differs depending on individual understanding of the Bible. From my understanding and perspective, since Christians believe in divine healing, they should seek medical attention. My vantage point invokes a thought that there is a reason for doctors to exist. Thus, Christians should have faith in God and put some actions to actualize their faith – for faith without action is dead.

           Mike should ensure that James receives quality medical service for his healing. He should opt for the physician’s advice to use Samuel’s one kidney for the transplant. Consequently, as a Christian, he should put his faith in God and pray for James’ healing after the transplantation is done. He should also mobilize church members, leaders, and his pastors to put James into prayers. Since the physician provides the best services that will ensure that James’ health improves, he should also trust in God’s healing. In addition to Mike’s faith in divine healing, he should make an effort and take action for human intervention. It is through the action that God will manifest His heavenly health on earth through the physician. Subsequently, Mike should take keen notes of the information that was provided by the physician to aid in decision making. Moreover, he should seek medical advice from the physician for the available therapeutic option for him to make a rational decision that is harmless to James.

            God’s trust entails believing in him and having faith. Therefore, Mike should take his request to God through prayers. He should focus on how James should benefit from the physician's medical and treatment options. To honor the beneficence principle, he should give the physician the green light to do the kidney transplant as Mike will benefit from it. The principle of beneficence is all about the patient’s benefits. Therefore, Mike should allow the physician to carry on the transplantation in honoring the principle of non-maleficence. The principle requires that the patient should experience no harm. Taking James to church will only worsen his condition as previously. Hence, he should allow the physician to do the transplantation to minimize the harm. 

Importance of Spiritual Needs Assessment

      Spiritual assessment is fundamental for both patients and physicians. More importantly, it plays a crucial role in the decision machining process. An organized, open, and non-biased spiritual assessment enables physicians to assist patients in making rational decisions. It is through the spiritual assessment that it will enable the physician to know their competence limitations. From the acknowledgment of these limitations, the physician will advise Mike on the ability to treat James. Additionally, the spiritual assessment enables physicians to determine whether the facility can comply with James's spiritual needs and requirements. Moreover, it is for the assessment that the physician may refer the family to a healthcare chaplain or personnel that provides spiritual care (Timmins & Caldeira, 2017).  

             Therefore, it is from the spiritual assessment that the physician meets the ethical principle of autonomy by providing relevant information for rational decision making. Subsequently, the physician may be able to inform Mike and his family of the treatment as their spirituality is possible, depending on their spiritual limitations or competence. Moreover, the spiritual assessment may help the physician provide Mike and his family with the available treatment options and other facilities to meet their spiritual needs and requirements. Thus, Mike and his family may be able to opt for the most appropriate intervention for James.