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Dec 6, 2023

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1 Benchmark, Patient’s Spiritual Needs Melissa Doty Grand Canyon University PHI 413 Ethical and Spiritual Decision Making in Health Care Dr. Steven Ledbetter November 5, 2023 Benchmark, Patient’s Spiritual Needs When in healthcare there are many aspects of healing that need to be addressed. The physicians are primarily focused on the physical healing needs of the patient, while the other staff involved with direct patient care are offering a more holistic care plan for the patient. When offering a holistic care plan this can oftentimes include other family members to be involved in the aid of healing the patient. As healthcare workers in any aspect of dealing with patient care we need to take the needs of the patient into consideration with what they want and need along with the family members' thoughts. Patient’s Spiritual Needs Parental Decisions and Patient Autonomy The question here is if the physician should let the father, Mike, continue to make

2 decisions for his child, the patient, even though his previous decisions have actually physically hindered the child’s healing process. This is where the spiritual healing needs to be directed to all members of the family that are involved with direct patient care. The patient is a minor, legally he is not allowed to make his own medical decisions, however he should still be involved in his own care. The healthcare team should get together along with a chaplain or other spiritual advisor the parents deem worthy, and they can have a care conference. In the care conference the physician can lay out all the medical facts of the patient's condition in front of all the family involved and the spiritual leader. The spiritual leader can then answer any non medical questions the family may still have and they all can decide together what the best thing for the patient, James, would be. James should also be informed of what is happening in terms that he can understand as well, along with his twin brother. They both need to be able to understand the situation and voice what their concerns are as well. Christian View of Sickness and Health One of the overall beliefs in Christianity is that God will never give you more than you can handle. When someone gets ill it is not a punishment from God, it is taken that the person is strong enough to handle what has been given to them. There was a reason in God’s plan for that person and why they were given that diagnosis. It could be to provide inspiration to others, to pass on a message for humanity, or just to carry out His plan. In Christian views, God has a plan for each and every one of us as humans. Of course, being healthy is also a blessing that most of us wish that we can hold on to and try to stay as healthy as we can. There are blessings to be found in both sickness and health. Christian Views on Medical Intervention There is nothing in the bible about medical interventions, since this a fairly new concept from when the bible was written. There are many different takes on how to interpret what the

3 bible suggests to be done. Each situation is very different and each Christian branch has their own views on what types of medical interventions are seen as Christian. There are branches of Christianity that are extreme and they will not recommend any types of medical interventions because it is not what they foresee as what God wants. They put their whole belief and trust in God as what will happen. Overall, the general Christian population is not opposed to having medical interventions being performed. Their whole idea of creating no harm to another human being is held true. It is not humane to let a human suffer, there are times when a medical intervention needs to occur to help save that patient’s life in emergent situations. The Christian belief in medical intervention is overall a positive view as long as there is no harm being done. It is when it comes to taking someone off of life support or end of life choices is when things begin to get a bit muddy. Mike as a Christian As a Christian, Mike wants to be able to put his trust in God and not be let down. He knows that God has a plan for everyone, but he doesn’t want to lose his child either. As a Christian, I think he should seek out a spiritual leader from his church and invite them into the conversation about the health of his son. He will trust the leader’s advice and he will have that spiritual support and guidance he is seeking. Spiritual Assessment When it comes to a life and death situation, such as this one, Mike wants to be true to his faith and also do what is right as a parent and what he feels is right in God’s eyes. A spiritual assessment would be very beneficial to Mike and his family at this time of need. Mike is seeking guidance and feels torn inside about what is the right decision for his child and also in his beliefs. He needs to have a spiritual leader help guide him through this tough situation so that Mike feels

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