Spiritual Diversity of Healthcare Providers: Different Perspectives from a Sikh, Tao and Catholic Health Care Provider

Cultural diversity in the health care setting is increasing each year. Knowing how to care for patients of different religious and spiritual faiths is essential to providing high-quality, patient-centered care. The author of this paper will research three lesser-known religions; Taoism, Sikhism and Shamanism. Through this paper, she will provide a brief background on each of the three religions and present information regarding spiritual perspectives on healing, critical components of healing and health care considerations associated with each religion.

This verse reminds Christians to give 100% of their efforts when assisting an individual. In health administration, anything less than 100% quality should not be acceptable. Christian administrators must actively find ways to increase efficiency and improve quality at the same time. The Christian Worldview is much more than just having rational responses to problems. It alludes to flowing biblical principles and concepts in the personal, practical domains of everyday life. As Christian administrators, our external and internal dynamics are to be consistent with the Lord’s way, striving toward His standards in servant leadership. clearly, the Christian’s worldview is the framework of beliefs and values through which they see the outside world. In the internal dynamics, they see that all the faith, values and rituals are following in a systematic manner, and nothing is performing outside the preview of the authorized institute or authority. God’s

The United States has always been the symbol of freedom of religion and health care today has needed to increase its knowledge in incorporating the many different religions/spiritual beliefs in order to provide a more holistic approach to care. As health care providers we should not look in validating our own practice in regards to religion or spirituality but to comprehend and learn to see the patterns of similarities and differences in order to provide holistic care to our patients. As religious and spiritual beliefs are never permanent and are constantly changing and/or influenced by government, thinkers, historical events, technology and the shifting values of cultures the study of religions/spirituality should be continuous for all health care providers. The Native American, Buddhism, and Sikhism have some similar traits and values imbedded in their practiced religions that resemble the Christian Faith and medical providers needs to be aware and able to accommodate them in order to provide holistic care.

Alvord uses her personal experiences of working as a Navajo surgeon to teach her readers the philosophies her people follow to heal. Her philosophy is that instead of looking at each patient as a mechanical system with each part separate, look at their mind, body and spirit as being connected. If one can do this, patient care will improve. She also touches upon being culturally competent in the work place by knowing your patient population’s beliefs on healing and health care. After reading her story, I believe that in order to be the best health care provider one must look into the spiritual aspects of their patients’ lives. As providers we must provide care using the biopsychosocial model of care and become knowledgeable on our patients beliefs. Like Alvord states within her story, we must walk in beauty, become harmoniously connected to those around us, and care for our patients in a positive

This paper provides a comprehensive look at the following faiths: Buddhism, Judaism, Baha’i, and Christianity. The reader will find that Buddhism is more of a philosophy than a religion that focuses on the mind as being the creator of illness and health. The reader will also find that Judaism, Baha’i, and Christianity are all religions that believe in one God, the creator of all. This paper lists various components that each of these faiths may use at one time or another to effect healing including prayer, meditation, chanting, the use of healers, etc. This paper also defines what is important to people

The Bravewell Collaborative. (2015). Spirituality and Religion in Health Care. Retrieved from www.bravewell.org/integrative_medicine/philosophical_foundation/spirituality_and_healthcare/ Curry, K. (n.d.). A Biblical Worldview of Health Care. Retrieved from http://www.hcic.org.au/sites/default/files/imce/Biblical%20Worldview.pdf Mcskimming, S., & Puchalski, C. M. (2006, May).

According to the website aboutbuddhism.org, the founder of Buddhism was Buddha Shakyamuni who lived and taught in India about two and a half thousand years ago, and meditation is at the heart of the Buddhist way of life - it is basically a method for understanding and working on our own mind. From the book, World Religions for Healthcare Professionals, what I learned about Buddhism is that they follow the Four Noble Truths: Life means suffering, the origin of suffering is attachment, the cessation of suffering is attainable, the path to the cessation of suffering; and as well as the Eight Noble Paths and Buddhists also practice between 5 to 8 precepts. The lay Buddhist would practice the five and while the more devout Buddhist practices 8

PTSUM is a Tsalegi spiritual elder among his people. He does not separate his culture from his spirituality or belief system. He was kind enough to answer my queries. He believes that healing takes place through both body and spirit. He stated, “ You have to have that spark within you to heal”. His culture believes that prayer comes in many different manifestations and is a very powerful tool for healing and to show the person that they are cared for. The fading spark can be become strong again with ritual and prayer. The belief that you have the ability to heal is the most critical component of his spirituality on healing. PTSUM does not expect his caregivers to believe as he

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

"Am I saying God has to heal people? No, I am not saying that. God is sovereign. He can do whatever he wants. But the God that I have confidence in Yahweh, the Father. He is a healer. He stepped into this world and he was known for healing and never returned anyone away here on this earth. So I am praying to him - that God, asking him for healing."

In both Buddhism and Christianity, there are critical component of healing such as prayers, meditation, belief and yoga. In holistic medical care, the medical personnel must take care of all aspect of the patient which includes the body, the emotions and the spiritual. The doctors and nurses should ensure that that they offer all necessary support that is

cure. Hospitals not only have to meet the demands of curing illnesses, but also have to accommodate the spiritual needs and comfort of patients. Hospitals are generally built and organized in the effort to help patients gain support by having the opportunity to turn towards religion during difficult times. Hospitals in general have various religious leaders on call if a patient were to request them. They also have places of worship available to serve as a sanctuary for patients. These places are equipped with sacred texts from different religions such as the Koran, the Bhagavad Gita and the Holy Bible. As described in the article, “Sacred spaces in public places: religious and spiritual plurality in health care”, “These spaces evoked a feeling of sacredness of space and time – a sense of transcendence, immanence or connectedness in the everyday” (Reimer-Kirkham 203). This tranquil feeling can help to relieve the stress of the body, being proved to help the bodies process of healing, or in the case of terminally ill patients, helps them to develop a more positive outlook on what is happening. They are able to turn towards religion as support for the difficult time.

Because mankind was made in God’s image, Christians aspire to follow the footsteps of Jesus as he leads the pathway to the Kingdom of God. So just as Jesus, “healed the leper, the paralyzed, the blind, the deaf, and many who suffer from many diseases,” followers of the gospel are called to “pass through this world doing good.” Not only did Jesus heal, but he turned it around and allowed the once sick to heal. They became “agents of healing and invited to be agents of their own destiny” (Saying and Showing, pg. 31). And as Christians, the gospel calls them to do the same, focusing their attention to the “most abandoned and mistreated” and help bring them to be a part of society.

An important ethical issue represented throughout the New Testament that can sometimes be overlooked is the unity that Jesus and God should bring to any diverse community. There has been to debate as to the resurrection of Jesus and how the people should live their lives prior to his return. In 1 Corinthians and 1 Peter, the passages show different perspectives of Paul and Peter who are trying to bring to commonality of Jesus into prospective. People have made decisions based on their beliefs to the social ladder, while other continue to suffer. The two passages look at two different audiences, Corinthians and the exiles in the Asia Minor area. These passages show that putting others before themselves is how people should live, as well as all people should suffer in one way or the other because that is what Jesus did for them. The New Testament looks to emphasize the importance of unity in a community.

In conclusion, the evidenced advanced in support of prayer and healing holds more than that of the opposing group as credible references are provided. For instance, the point regarding crowds that followed Jesus for healing has been repeated severally in the Bible, which gives it credit. Notably, prayer plays a crucial role in people’s life, which explains the different attitudes held by people regarding their suffering or well being, which proves the point that prayer contributes to healing.