Physician's Decision and the Christian View About Sickness and Health

Case Approach Decision and Rationale
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Case Approach Decision and Rationale
Physicians and medical practitioners have a role in evaluating and considering approaches that will improve their patients’ health. Regarding this case, the physician is responsible for providing procedures and treatments that benefit James. The responsibility justifies the physician’s intervention to stop Mike from making decisions that lead to his son’s health deterioration. However, by doing so, the physician may become a victim of impending the patient’s autonomy and fueling the parents’ (Mike and Joanne) spiritual dissonance. The parents may feel that their faith regarding James’ spiritual healing is insufficient.
The rationale behind the physician intervention to stop uninformed decisions by Mike regarding his son’s health needs a proper approach to address autonomy issues and the family’s spirituality. The first approach the physician can take to uphold the patient’s autonomy is by involving Mike in every medical decision (Carr & Winslow, 2017). The physician should elaborate on the depth, efficiency, and effectiveness of remedies for James’ condition. Secondly, the physician should understand and incorporate the critical role of spirituality and religion in healing. In the Christian worldview, a physician is a healing tool through which faith healing can occur. In addition, spiritual and religious beliefs serve a vital role in the recovery of patients (Harris, 2014). Therefore, the physician should base his professional rationale on these approaches to settle contradictions.
Christian View About Sickness and Health
According to the Holy Scriptures, health is fundamental for human survival (New International Version Bible, Job 33: 25). It is tied to the physical body and in terms of prosperity, peace, and wealth. The giver of good health from a Christian perspective is God. That is why Christians give thanks for good health and life during prayers (New International Version Bible, Jeremiah 30:17). Regarding sickness, Christians believe that the cause of illnesses is the fall of the first human beings (Adam and Eve). Their disobedience bore sins that plunged humanity into suffering, sickness, and death; the reason why Christians associate sickness with sins, temptations, and punishment from God (New International Version Bible, 2 Kings 5:27). However, the scriptures do not condemn seeking medical attention in periods of illness. For instance, in Matthew 9:12 (New International Version Bible), Jesus says that those who seek the doctor are the sick and not the healthy ones, indicating that Holy Scriptures embrace the aspect of medical assistance when individuals are ill or void of well-being. Christians also understand that God understands our suffering through sickness, as indicated by Jesus’ healing works during his ministration on the earth.
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