When it comes to facilitating spiritual care for patients with worldviews different from your own, what are your strengths and weaknesses? If you were the patient, who would have the final say in terms of ethical decision-making and intervention in the event of a difficult situation?
(Two articles were provided by the instructor, however, the link is only viewable through my university. Here are the article titles: “Making the Case for Ethical Decision-Making Models,” by Cooper, from Nurse Prescribing (2012) + “Aligning Ethics With Medical Decision-Making: The Quest for Informed Patient Choice,” by Moulton and King, from Journal of Law, Medicine & Ethics (2010).)
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Introduction:
Spiritual care is an essential part of healthcare that aims to address the religious and spiritual needs of patients. As a medical professor, it is crucial to understand and facilitate spiritual care for patients with different worldviews. This essay will discuss my strengths and weaknesses in providing spiritual care for patients with different worldviews and who should have the final say in ethical decision-making in difficult situations.
Strengths and Weaknesses:
One of my strengths in facilitating spiritual care for patients with different worldviews is my open-mindedness and willingness to learn. I understand that patients come from diverse backgrounds, and their beliefs about healthcare and wellness may differ from mine. As such, I am always open to learning about my patient’s beliefs and incorporating them into their care plan. Additionally, I am empathetic and can place myself in my patient’s shoes to understand how they feel and what they need.
However, one of my weaknesses is that my own worldview may sometimes affect how I deliver spiritual care to my patients. Even with an open mind, I may unconsciously impose my beliefs on my patients, leading to a breakdown in communication and hindered spiritual care. Thus, I need to work on redirecting my thoughts and focus on my patients’ beliefs.
Final Say:
In the event of a difficult situation, the patient should have the final say in ethical decision-making, whether they are capable of making an informed decision or not. Patients have the right to choose what happens to their body and deserve to be involved in the decision-making process. Healthcare providers should provide all the necessary information, including the benefits, risks, and alternatives, to enable patients to make informed decisions about their healthcare.
Conclusion:
As a medical professor, facilitating spiritual care for patients with diverse worldviews requires an open-minded approach to learning and empathy. Patients should always have the final say in ethical decision-making, and healthcare providers’ role is to provide them with the necessary information to make informed decisions.
