Healing and Autonomy: Patient's Spiritual Needs

Case Analysis: Healing and Autonomy
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Case Analysis: Healing and Autonomy
The spiritual needs of the patients play a significant role in determining healthcare decision-making. Spiritual needs are the desires that make people satisfied and promote spiritual growth regardless of their conditions (Nissen & Hvidt, 2021). Many people are keen on their spiritual life due to its link to health. For instance, Christians have a specific view on health and healing processes. Therefore, conducting a spiritual needs assessment is significant to any health professional before making any significant decision. It would assure the patient of their spiritual and health stability. The paper addresses a case analysis by integrating the Christian view of health and healing.
Mike's Decision
The physician should limit Mike from making any decision that would harm James. Despite his faith, James' health is essential like any other patient. Christians indeed view God as the healer; however, James needs a critical medical solution that would restore his health in the scenario. James' condition is critical and may lead to other complexities when not handled with care. James suffers from kidney failure and must undergo regular dialysis to be stable. Therefore, taking James to the Church and ignoring dialysis is an irrational decision that the physician should not allow since it may deteriorate James' health.
Besides, taking James to the faith healing service and ignoring the dialysis would have secondary effects on other organs, such as the liver, and thus the issue must be handled with a lot of caution. The recommended action is to allow James to undergo the dialysis and then take him to a faith healing service. The approach would have saved James from deteriorated kidney tissue leading to transplantation. The approach is also essential since it is ethically viable and enhances the patient's autonomy. Ethical decisions are necessary for healthcare professionals to safeguard patients' health and enhance autonomy (Campbell, 2017). Regardless of Mike's decision to take James to a faith healing service, he does not consider the patient's autonomy. Mike should promote autonomy by making informed decisions since James is still a minor. Consequently, before making any health decision, it is necessary to consider patient autonomy.
Christianity, Health, Sickness, and Medical Intervention
Health and Sickness
A Christian thinks about sickness and health uniquely. They believe that God has the transcendent power to heal his people who are righteous (Doran, 2019). Christians also believe that God provides health to people due to his love and mercy. Therefore, any healthy individual has a core responsibility to thank God. Sickness in Christianity is a critical issue, and some Christians view it as God's punishment while others view it as a common biological problem. Most Christians believe that sickness can be healed by faith in God, as noted in Mike's decision. Consequently, the view of Christians on health and sickness is critical since it determines key decisions they make.
Medical Intervention
Christians should embrace medical interventi...