Religious Health Beliefs

Multiple family members gather together to give care to the loved one from far and near. The father or the oldest male relative holds the greatest power in most families to make health-related decisions for an ill loved one. Family members feel responsible for bathing, changing, and feeding their loved one daily even during hospital stays (Taxis, 2008). In addition, prayer and ritual are also critical components of the dying process. Family members may pray with the patient at the bedside, at a home altar, or at church. At times, candles are kept lit for 24 hours a day as a symbol of continuous worship. Clergy members may visit to offer spiritual support. As the ill loved one approaches death, the sacrament of anointing of the sick is administered by a priest or lay member (Kemp, 2001). Mexican American families use religious beliefs in the afterlife to help them cope with this emotional process.

This article can be used as a way to further support my argument about how most patients don’t utilize all of the benefits that hospice has to offer. There are some cases where people choose not to receive spiritual support due to

All throughout history nursing and medicine was based on the roots of Christianity. Many healthcare providers based their practices from the bible “I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me” (Matthew 25:36, NIV). Furthermore, spirituality is an important aspect to remain in our nursing practice. In order to provide holistic care for our patients during their healing process, which includes body, soul, and spirit, Christianity should continue to be practiced with our patients. The purpose of this paper is to discuss my personal worldview based upon the meaning of spiritualty, worldviews, prime reality, human person, the meaning of death, epistemology, ethics, and the meaning of human

In this paper the author will explain what is faith and religion, and compare the philosophy of Sikh, Buddhism, and Jewish religions with that Christian and the author’s religion, include spiritual perspective and elements of healing, how necessary is to permit patient to practice their religious beliefs and rituals, and last, describe how this information could be incorporated into the daily health care professionals routine.

In my opinion, it may be difficult to define health because it may vary from one person to another depending on one’s perception about health. The World Health Organization (WHO) defines health as a state of complete physical, mental and social wellbeing and not just the absence of disease (Saylor, 2004). However, I feel that the WHO definition of health misses a very important aspect of health which is spirituality. According to Anye et al. (2013), spirituality is associated “with a more positive outlook and better quality of life”. In fact, they found that in patients with advanced stages of cancer, religious belief was associated with higher life satisfaction and patients who engaged in religious activity reported higher levels of happiness and had positive outcomes (Anye et al. 2013). In addition, studies have shown that mental health patients who have consistently identified spiritual needs as an important issue to them had symptoms of relief and general well-being (Chidarikire, 2012).

For health care providers to deliver the best holistic care that patients deserve, a thorough spiritual assessment must be included during their care. With more research showing a relationship between supporting a patient’s spirituality with their health and ability to cope with illness, it is now a requirement of organizations to include a spiritual assessment to maintain accreditation with The Joint Commission. The minimum required of a spiritual assessment by The Joint Commission is to determine the patient’s religion and

America is a melting pot of many religions and nurses are called upon to practice cultural competencey. This paper focuses awareness of other religions in order to practice culturally competent end of life of care for all patients. Judaism, Catholicism, Islam, Hinduism, and Buddhism’s end of life rituals and traditions, stance on organ donation, embalmment, autopsies, after death care will be briefly discussed in order to establish nursing implications for the religions mentioned above to educate nurses in order to practice cultural competency at the highest level. All humans, regardless of religion, nationality, and ethics have the right to desired end of life care and should be treated with respect. Nurses are asked to visit their own beliefs and be able to separate their own personal views with those of their clients.

Spiritual integration in nursing includes providing care to an individual as a whole, considering their social and mental factors, rather than just the physical symptoms of the disease that are presented subjectively or objectively. Rom 15:1 (New International version), can be interpreted as that the nurses have the responsibility of providing care to the patients, in their vulnerable time of sickness without taking credit for it, because God have chosen them to do so for his own glory. Spirituality can have different definitions, to some it can mean having faith in religion, and to others it can mean inner strength through life experiences that bring inspiration. Whereas, many people do not even know they practice spirituality on daily basis, but as nurses we are part of healing process. Recognizing how patient view their health and spiritual needs, can help speedup healing process. This paper will address my recent interaction with an ill patient, how I applied my spiritual belief, values, and faith, and my strength and weakness and areas of improvement in taking care of patient.

Spirituality is a delicate topic, and some may not be open to talking about their beliefs. Spirituality is generally understood to be an essential aspect of being human (Lyndo-Lam, 2012). Assessing the spiritual needs of patients is a key component in the nursing process. A compassionate and thoughtful nurse can make a patient feel more secure, making it easier for him to express his spirituality. The participation of both patient and health care provider is vital in promoting spiritual health. The main focus of a spiritual assessment is to gather information regarding the patient’s spiritual needs in order incorporate them into the plan of care, so as to treat

In a global perspective, various nations have different goals and definitions of health. Culture is the main indicator as to why there are many variations and outlooks on health promotion. For example, in one culture they may believe that the woman must sacrifice her own needs just to serve for the family. Another example includes that in some countries they believe that women with a large body frame are a symbol of fertility as supposed to other countries value a woman who has a tiny body frame. Religion also plays a role in health as some may resort to prayer and use the holistic methods to prevent sickness. Also, the idea of prohibiting transfusions, abortion, or other medical treatments can be against religious views. According to WHO,

Religion serves many purposes in life for all individuals including the need of one to explain the world through factors relating to solace, emotional behaviors and healing; a community’s social cohesion and control through rituals; as well as economic adaptation of various sects. Consequently, since the onset of life on earth and the evolution of religion, dietary practices often correlate with various religious practices. Many religious customs and laws extend from the early apprehensions involved with economic needs as well as health and safety regarding the consumption of certain foods or liquids. These issues resulted from the lack of preservation and purification techniques for foods and liquids and the concern of the scholars, usually the religious, in connection to health promotion, disease prevention, and illness (Waibel, n.d.). However, the views of the past diminish with the advent of electricity and our understanding of new and evolving preservative methods.

Nurses attempt to provide patients with holistic care, including spiritual care. According to the article, “ICU Nurses’ Perceptions and Practice of Spiritual Care at the End of Life: Implications for Policy Change,” there are evidences suggesting that provision of spiritual care has a positive impact on patients coping with illness, and for a better quality of life. Spiritual practices has also

This paper focuses on three different religions and their cultural values and traditions surrounding death as well as the nursing implications regarding patients of various religious and cultural beliefs. The Hindu religion focuses on reincarnation and assisting the dead to their next life. Their traditions, such as placing a basil leaf, clarified butter and gold in the deceased’s mouth, help their loved one’s spirit move on. The Islamic religion understands that the death is God’s will and take part in various traditions such as bathing the dead loved one. Buddhist religion focuses on maintaining a relationship with the deceased. By creating an alter and providing offerings, the dead can assist the living with things the living cannot control. It is vital for a

Based on Shukla’s (2015) assertion, the role of spirituality is emphasized during the times of crisis and illness. To a 68-year-old lady with a chronic heart disease, the need for healing and comfort is real in a regular basis. Certainly, as the disease progresses to limiting physical activity, the frail elderly needs motivation to go on with the daily discipline and

Although, religion and spirituality offers patients more than just support and comfort, but the knowledge of faith helps patients overcome emotional struggles and helps answer confusing questions about the meaning of life when faced with death. A published article by the Southern Medical Association, states, “Faith can give a suffering person a framework for finding meaning and perspective through a source greater than self and it can provide a sense of control over feelings of helplessness” (Weaver and Flannelly 1210). Through the idea of a greater being, faith provides hope for a better life in the eternal life. Faith makes suffering on earth a little more bearable to know that there is a future and not just an end with death.