Patient's Spiritual Needs: Case Analysis

Case Study on Patient’s Spiritual Needs
Student’s Name
Institution
Case Study on Patient’s Spiritual Needs
Question 1
Autonomy is described as the right of the patient to make personal decisions (Beever 2016). In some cases, however, when the patient does not have the ability to make decisions due to their state, a close relative can make this decision on their behalf. According to Paulk (2017), the physician has to comply with the decision whether they are in support of it or not. The patient or the decision maker should be well informed prior to the decision making. Beever (2016) suggests that the power of autonomy also has some limits and can be overridden by the physician if the choices endanger public health or potentially harm the innocent. The physician should not allow Mike to continue making decisions that seem to be irrational and harmful to James. The physician fulfilled his duty by informing Mike about the dangers of James’ condition and gave him the chance to make a decision for his son who now needed a kidney transplant. Mike has been making bad decisions that have progressively caused more harm to James who is the innocent one in this context. Therefore it is not a disrespect of the patient’s autonomy when the physician decides to override Mike’s right to autonomy
Question 2
According to Orr (2015), Christians should understand that sicknesses are just part of the mortal nature of human beings. They should understand this because they were made from the image of God, and the quality of life they have is sacred and should be well taken care of. Christians believe that diseases and suffering on this earth are as a result of the fall of man but this does not mean that they should remain in pain and suffering caused by diseases. Christians should also take care of their bodies including even their health because they considered the temple of God. Orr (2015) suggests that the quality of life of a Christian should be taken care of. This is done by medical intervention where when one falls ill, they are made well through treatment. He explains that a Christian should understand that the work of the physicians is meant to show God’s love to his people by giving them good health. Christians should also understand that the use of hospital equipments and machines to sustain life is not wrong since it is God’s plan for the patient on them to be alive. As a Christian, Mike should understand that it is his duty to have compassion over others, in this case his son James, and life is sacred. Therefore, he should give James a chanc...