Patient's Spiritual Needs

Patient’s Spiritual Needs: Case Analysis
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Patient’s Spiritual Needs: Case Analysis
Allowing or not, Mike continues making irrational decisions.
The physician should not allow Mike to make decisions that harm James for specific rationales. The principle of beneficence requires that the physician acts for the benefit of his patient to prevent harm, defend his rights, and eliminate any conditions that are likely to cause injury (Varkey, 2021). For example, James needs to undergo immediate dialysis to enhance his welfare and health. Mike’s decision to seek spiritual intervention undermined James’ well-being as they were forced to return to the hospital and place their son on dialysis after his health deteriorated. In addition, the nephrologists should advise Mike and Joanne about the importance of kidney transplants to enhance their son’s well-being. The physician is informed that a kidney transplant is associated with a lower risk of death, fewer dietary restrictions, lower treatment costs, and better life quality (Mayo Clinic, 2021). This does not undermine patient autonomy since James is minor and thus lacks the capacity for self-determination. Although Mike is of adult years and has a sound mind to make decisions, the physician needs to advise on the best medical intervention to enhance their son’s well-being and prevent harm. Respecting the autonomy principle obliges the medical practitioner to disclose healthcare information and treatment interventions necessary for Mike to exercise self-determination and support informed consent, confidentiality, and truth-telling (Varkey, 2021).
How a Christian ought to think about health and sickness
A Christian ought to think of sickness and health as a reminder of the power and consequences of sin. A person’s physical illness is a portrait of their spiritual reality apart from Jesus Christ. Ephesians 2 verse 1 to 8 describes a human being as dead without Christ and desperately sick in Jeremiah chapter 17 verse 9. Christians should fight and hate sin as much as they fight and hate sickness. Health and disease also reveal an opportunity to seek God’s intervention for Him to manifest His power. When illness comes, Christians are brought to their knees and reminded of their weaknesses. In such moments, God stands to “restore our health,” as written in Jeremiah 30:17, for He is the Healer in Exodus chapter 15 verse 26 (Harvest Baptist Church, 2020). People are likely to forget such realities in times of security and health.
God created human beings and gave them an intellectual capacity to discover medical interventions and help cure illnesses and enhance their well-being. In that vein, a Christian ought to think about medical interventions as helpful tools and thus should not forgo such resources to rely on prayers only. A Christian should practice rationality and seek medical treatment while at the same time seeking God’s healing power and intervention in their condition. God made people intelligent beings to make medicines and other medical interventions, including repairing the body. Physicians are one of the avenues via which God brings recovery and healing. Paul advised...