Healthcare Providers and Various Beliefs About Healing and Faith

Health Care Provider and Faith Diversity
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Abstract
Healthcare is not only confined to addressing physical aspects of care. It is increasingly incorporating cultural and spiritual aspects in the care process to improve health outcomes. The healthcare experience in a culturally diverse healthcare system requires practitioners to be aware of the different religious beliefs about faith and healing. This information is important in ensuring that patients receive personalized and culturally competent care. It facilitates comfort and speedy recovery. Sikhs, Buddhists and persons practicing Native American Spirituality have varied beliefs about healing and faith. This paper outlines these beliefs and shows that there is a need for caregivers to be aware of their beliefs to provide quality and culturally competent care.
Buddhism
Buddhists believe that sickness is a clouding of the mind similar to the clouds that block the sun’s rays. They believe that the mind creates sickness and it can also create health. They also believe that sickness is temporal and is removable from the mind. They believe that their actions lead to sickness and for healing to occur they must purify their mind which is achieved through encouraging positive thoughts. They rid their minds of selfishness and pride which results in unhappiness and lack of peace (Hawter, 1995).
Buddhists engage in meditation, prayer and chanting as important components of healing. They pray in a low tone or quietly but some chant aloud. They also use a form of a beaded necklace in prayer and view a picture of Buddha as they pray. They may also request to be allowed to burn incense during prayer. Many hospitals suggest that they place scented flowers and use tiny electric lamps instead of burning incense and lighting candles (Ehman, 2012).
In Buddhism, it is important that patients receive care from members of the same sex in accordance to their beliefs on modesty. Buddhists also express food preferences where some consume entirely vegetarian meals devoid of any animal byproducts. They also prefer quiet surroundings, which they believe, promotes mindfulness. They regard a quiet environment for a patient as important because it allows for meditation, which aids the recovery process (Harvey, 2006). Buddhists believe that clarity of mind is very essential for meditation which leaders them to be apprehensive about analgesics claiming that their elements clouds ones perception of reality. They prefer that health practitioners discuss with them before administering medication that affects awareness. Most Buddhists prefer using non-pharmacological pain relief strategies because of their desire to remain mentally alert.
Native American Spirituality
Native Americans view healing from the perspective of maintaining a harmonious atmosphere between the atmosphere and nature. They hold ones spirit as very important in maintaining harmony in the nature and atmosphere forces. Spiritual harmony is very important for healing to occur and this is why they consult medicine men and women to care for their spirits after seeking medical attention for their diseases (Metropolitan Chicago Healthcare Council, 2004).
Native Amer...