Patient’s Spiritual Needs: Case Analysis Essay
Patient’s Spiritual Needs: Case Analysis Essay
Patient’s Spiritual Needs: Case Analysis Sample Essay
Part 1: Chart (60 points)
Based on the “Healing and Autonomy” case study, fill out all the relevant boxes below. Provide the information by means of bullet points or a well-structured paragraph in the box. Gather as much data as possible.
Medical Indications Beneficence and Nonmaleficence |
Patient Preferences
Autonomy |
The patient, James, is suffering from acute glomerulonephritis, kidney failure.
· His condition is acute, critical, and reversible with the right treatment. · The goals of treatment are to reduce the symptoms of the disease, prevent further damage to the kidneys, and restore kidney function. · Medical treatments are not indicated when the patient’s condition is not severe enough to warrant them, or when the patient or their family chooses to pursue alternative treatments. · The probabilities of success of various treatment options depend on the severity of the condition and the patient’s response to treatment. · In this case, medical and nursing care can benefit the patient by providing the necessary treatments to reduce symptoms and restore kidney function. Harm can be avoided by monitoring the patient’s condition and responding quickly to any changes. |
· Yes, the patient has been informed of the benefits and risks of treatment, understood this information, and given consent.
· The patient is mentally capable and legally competent. · The patient has expressed a preference to pursue faith healing services instead of medical treatments. · If the patient were to become incapacitated, the appropriate surrogate to make decisions for the patient would be their parents, Mike and Joanne. · The patient is currently willing and able to cooperate with medical treatment. |
Quality of Life
Beneficence, Nonmaleficence, Autonomy |
Contextual Features
Justice and Fairness |
· The prognosis for James is uncertain. Without treatment, his condition could worsen and he could experience permanent kidney damage. With treatment, he could return to a normal life, but he may still experience physical, mental, and social deficits. These could include fatigue, difficulty concentrating, and difficulty forming relationships.
· Quality of life is a subjective measure, so it is difficult to make judgments about what is desirable for a patient who cannot make or express such a judgment. However, it is possible to make an informed decision based on the patient’s medical history, current condition, and potential risks and benefits of treatment. · There are potential biases that could prejudice the provider’s evaluation of the patient’s quality of life. These could include cultural, religious, and personal biases. It is important for the provider to be aware of these biases and to take them into consideration when making decisions about the patient’s care. · Ethical issues that arise concerning improving or enhancing a patient’s quality of life include the potential for exploitation, the potential for unequal access to treatments, and the potential for unequal outcomes.
· Quality-of-life assessments can raise questions regarding changes in treatment plans, such as forgoing life-sustaining treatment. These decisions should be made with the patient’s best interests in mind, taking into account their values, beliefs, and preferences. · Plans and rationale to forgo life-sustaining treatment should be based on the patient’s best interests, taking into account their values, beliefs, and preferences. The decision should also be made in consultation with the patient’s family and healthcare team. · The legal and ethical status of suicide varies depending on the jurisdiction. In some jurisdictions, suicide is illegal, while in others it is not. In all cases, it is important to consider the ethical implications of suicide and to ensure that the patient’s best interests are taken into account. · |
· There can be conflicts of interest in the clinical treatment of patients. For example, a physician may have a financial interest in a particular treatment or medication, or a hospital may have a financial incentive to recommend a certain course of treatment. Additionally, there may be conflicts of interest between different healthcare professionals, such as between a physician and a nurse, or between a physician and a specialist. · Family members can have an interest in clinical decisions. Family members may have different opinions or perspectives on the best course of action for a patient, and they may be involved in the decision-making process. In some cases, family members may even be the primary decision-makers, depending on the patient’s age and ability to make decisions for themselves. · Patient confidentiality is limited by the legitimate interests of third parties. For example, if a patient’s family members are involved in the decision-making process, they may need to be informed of the patient’s condition and treatment plan. Additionally, if a patient’s care is being paid for by a third party, such as an insurance company, they may need to be informed of the patient’s condition and treatment plan in order to approve payment. As for financial factors. · There can be conflicts of interest in clinical decisions. For example, a physician may have a financial interest in a particular treatment or medication, or a hospital may have a financial incentive to recommend a certain course of treatment. Additionally, there may be conflicts of interest between different healthcare professionals, such as between a physician and a specialist. · There are problems of allocation of scarce health resources that can affect clinical decisions. In this case, Mike and Joanne had to decide whether to put James through dialysis or to place their faith in God and take him to a faith healing service. · Additionally, there are religious issues that can influence clinical decisions. In this case, Mike and Joanne’s faith in God led them to make the decision to take James to a faith healing service instead of dialysis. Ultimately, this decision led to James needing a kidney transplant, and Mike and Joanne had to consider the possibility of having their other son, Samuel, donate a kidney. This decision was a difficult one for Mike and Joanne, as it was a matter of life and death, and required a great deal of faith. · Legal issues that might affect clinical decisions include informed consent, patient autonomy, and medical malpractice. · Considerations of clinical research and education that might affect clinical decisions include the need to stay up to date on the latest research and treatments, as well as the need to ensure that medical professionals are properly trained and educated. · Issues of public health and safety that affect clinical decisions include the need to ensure that treatments are safe and effective, as well as the need to protect the public from the spread of infectious diseases.
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Patient’s Spiritual Needs: Case Analysis Essay
Part 2: Evaluation
Answer each of the following questions about how the four principles and four boxes approach would be applied:
- In 200-250 words answer 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
The physician should allow Mike to continue making decisions that seem to him to be irrational and harmful to James, as long as those decisions do not put James in immediate danger. Respect for patient autonomy is an important part of medical ethics, and it is important for physicians to respect the decisions of their patients, even if they do not agree with them. In this case, Mike and Joanne’s decision to take James to a faith healing service instead of dialysis was not immediately dangerous, and so the physician should have respected their decision. However, the physician should have also made sure to follow up with the family to ensure that James was receiving the care he needed. Ultimately, it is important for physicians to respect the autonomy of their patients, while also ensuring that they are receiving the care they need.
Autonomy of patients is a crucial concept in healthcare, as it emphasizes their right to make decisions about their medical care without coercion or interference (Ravitsky et al., 2009). This includes the right to receive information about their medical conditions and all available treatment options, to consent or refuse medical interventions that are proposed by doctors and other healthcare providers, and to be fully involved in the decision-making regarding their personal health journey. By providing patients with autonomy, healthcare providers can enhance patient engagement and empower individuals to take control of their health outcomes (Munthe et al., 2021). In doing so, they can maximize positive patient experiences and ensure respectful interactions with clinicians that respect the wishes of the patient.
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- 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?
As followers of Christ, Christians understand that God is ultimately in charge and He is the one who holds the power to heal. It is their mission to constantly seek out ways to better serve Him and glorify His name. To do this, He has equipped all His followers with tools such as prayer and various resources such as medical treatments and remedies. Christians have been charged with the tasks of utilizing these tools and resources to bring healing–not only to themselves but to others as well. By doing so, they show the world an example of how faithfulness in following the Lord’s path puts them on the road to true healing.
Therefore, a Christian should think about sickness and health as something that is ultimately in God’s hands. In Mike’s case, he should trust God and pray for James’s healing, but he should also make sure that James is receiving the medical care he needs. This means making sure that James is receiving the dialysis he needs, as well as exploring other options such as a kidney transplant. Ultimately, Mike should strive to honor the principles of beneficence and nonmaleficence in James’s care by trusting God and using the medical interventions available to him. Christians have always been motivated to heal the sick. With its roots deeply in scripture, at the heart of Christian belief is that our loving God is the ultimate source of healing – be it physical, mental or spiritual. This drives many followers to seek divine intervention through prayer and worship, both of which often come hand in hand with other historical practices such as laying on of hands and anointing with oil. Some also believe that physical ailments can be tied to sin or spiritual weak points and look for interventions at this level too. A variety of factors have helped shape each individual’s Christian perceptions regarding illness, from biblical teachings to personal experiences. Overall, faith remains strong in our loving God’s power to provide any healing we may need ultimately.
Christians may approach illness and healing from different angles depending on their background, life experience, and even regional culture. Some view illness as an inevitable part of life to be accepted as a test of faith. Others believe in balancing spiritual healing with modern medical treatments. The message of Christ’s healing ministry is clear throughout Scripture, but how this intersects with science-based treatments varies among believers. Despite their differences in beliefs, many Christians share a commitment to aiding those suffering from illness, typically through healthcare ministries and outreach programs designed to bring comfort and support to the infirm and those dealing with serious disease. Sadly, illnesses are unavoidable in life, yet Christians can draw strength from knowing that these times can help bring closer encounters with God. |
- In 200-250 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?
A spiritual needs assessment would help the physician assist Mike in determining appropriate interventions for James and his family or others involved in his care by providing insight into the spiritual beliefs and values of the family. By understanding the spiritual beliefs and values of the family, the physician can better understand the motivations behind their decisions and provide more tailored interventions that are in line with their beliefs (Farabelli et al., 2020). For example, if the family is deeply religious, the physician may suggest spiritual interventions such as prayer or faith healing in addition to medical interventions. This would allow the physician to provide a more holistic approach to care that takes into account the spiritual needs of the family. Additionally, a spiritual needs assessment can help the physician understand the family’s expectations and provide guidance on how to best meet those expectations. For example, if the family is expecting a miracle, the physician can provide guidance on how to best manage their expectations and provide realistic solutions. Ultimately, a spiritual needs assessment can help the physician provide more tailored interventions that are in line with the family’s spiritual beliefs and values. Spiritual needs assessment in healthcare is an invaluable part of providing holistic care, allowing healthcare professionals to gain a better understanding of a patient’s religious or spiritual beliefs, practices, and needs. This not only informs their approach to support and care for the patient, but it also allows them to identify when additional spiritual guidance may be needed. Most importantly, effective assessment allows for greater respect for the patient’s existing worldview, values, and coping mechanisms when determining appropriate interventions. When done properly, spiritual needs assessments are invaluable tools for healthcare providers in providing comprehensive care and support for their patients and families.
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References
Farabelli, J. P., Kimberly, S. M., Altilio, T., Otis-Green, S., Dale, H., Dombrowski, D., … & Jones, C. A. (2020). Top ten tips palliative care clinicians should know about psychosocial and family support. Journal of palliative medicine, 23(2), 280-286. https://www.liebertpub.com/doi/pdf/10.1089/jpm.2019.0506
Munthe, C., Fumagalli, D., & Malmqvist, E. (2021). Sustainability principle for the ethics of healthcare resource allocation. Journal of Medical Ethics, 47(2), 90-97. https://jme.bmj.com/content/medethics/47/2/90.full.pdf
Ravitsky, V., Fiester, A., & Caplan, A. L. (Eds.). (2009). The Penn Center guide to bioethics. Springer Publishing Company.
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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?”
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