Question:

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?

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Comment#1

The concept of a spiritual worldview incorporates religion and  spirituality, as well as many other philosophical or popular beliefs  and reference points that make assumptions about the larger context of  human existence (Josephson & Peteet, 2004). For many people, their  worldview is the most important thing in their lives with a deciding  role in directing attitudes to health, work and relationships. This  strongly influences how they regard themselves and others. As a  professional nurse I put aside my personal views and not try to  compare them to that of the patients’. That way I am able to  focus on the task and needs of the patient at hand. You don’t  have to agree with someone’s spiritual beliefs anymore than you  have to agree with their political views or taste in music. Simply  show an interest in their perspective. If you are asked about your  views it is up to you whether you share them or not. It is OK to say  that you’d rather not disclose them, or to say that you have a  different way of seeing things as long as you return the focus of the  conversation to the patient and don’t dwell on your  perspective.  I think being open minded of others’ beliefs  is my strength, and my weakness would be my lack of knowledge of all  the different religions.  I am lucky that I work with a diverse  group of individuals with different religious backgrounds that it  interesting to get their take on situations.

If I were the patient, I would hope to have the say in my decision  making.  This is not always the case.  If needed I would  hopefully have a POA appointed that would respect my wishes.  I  would hope my doctors and nurses would do what they think is best in  their position and that should be taken into consideration.

References

Josephson, A. M, & Peteet, J. R.  (2004).  Handbook of  Spirituality and Worldview for Clinical Practice. American Psychiatric Publishing.

Comment#2

My weakness in facilitating spiritual care to a patient with  different world views would be my lack of knowledge of different  religions. My strengths would be my willingness to research what I  don’t know along with my willingness to be present for my  patient and offer any type of spiritual care within my scope of  practice.  I would encourage my patient to do whatever they feel  would help them spiritually at this time of need.  Many  hospitalized patients are afraid, especially if they have just  received news of a disease process they weren’t expecting or any  sort of unexpected outcome.  I would encourage them to have faith  in what they believe in and offer pastoral care if that is appropriate. Assignment: Spiritual Care For Patients With Different Worldviews.

My husband is the person to make ethical decisions and  interventions, or no intervention, based on my wishes.  We have  had this discussion and we had Wills made out.

What is your definition of “spiritual care?” How does it differ or accord with the description given in the topic readings? Explain.

Comment #1

“Nursing means providing compassionate care for the whole  person in response to God’s grace toward a sinful world, which  aims to foster optimum earth and bring comfort in suffering for anyone  in need,” (Shelly & Miller, 2006)

“Spiritual care means facilitating a person’s  relationship with God through Jesus Christ.” (Shelly &  Miller, 2006)
“Spiritual care means putting people in touch  with a God through compassionate presence, active listening, witness,  prayer, Bible reading and partnering with the body of Christ.  It  is never coercive or rude.” (Shelly & Miller, 2006). Spiritual Care For Patients With Different Worldviews Nursing Essay

I believe with the above definitions of spiritual care.  I  think the most important thing I can do as a nurse is to be present  for someone. Whatever that entails, i.e. standing quietly in the room  if they are praying, lending an ear if they are afraid and need to  talk, sitting with them and holding their hand because they are  afraid.  I typically do not engage in active praying with the  family and or orient/minister, but I will stand quietly and bow my  head in respect. Sometimes the simple gestures are the most meaningful.

Shelly, J.A., & Miller, A.G. (2006). Called to Care: A  Christian Worldview for Nursing (2nd ed.). Downers Grove, IL: IVP Academics

Comment #2

To me, spiritual care is incorporating spirituality or religion into  care. I feel like this mostly focuses on the patients, but nurses and  doctors are also a part of this. For some patients, they really rely  on their spirituality to get them through their hard time. Spiritual Care For Patients With Different Worldviews Nursing Essay. For  example, my mother had cancer and was in and out of the hospital.  While she was batting that illness, she really relied on God to get  her through. She prayed, had faith, and really trusted Him and His  plan. Assignment: Spiritual Care For Patients With Different Worldviews. She had support from her family and friends too, but God was  going to be the one to get her through it. Nurses and doctors can play  a role in spiritual care. We respect their faith and provide certain  interventions depending on the patient’s spirituality/religion.  As a nurse, if a patient asked me to pray with them, I would. I am a  religious person so it would not bother me one bit. If I was a  patient, I would absolutely rely on God to heal me. I would trust Him  and His plan, no matter how hard it may be.

From the reading material, I think my personal definition of  spiritual care had similarities but also focused on spiritual care in  patients/health care professionals.  According to Shelly &  Miller (2006, p. 264), “Christian spiritual care means  facilitating a person’s relationship with God through Jesus  Christ”. Spiritual Care For Patients With Different Worldviews Nursing Essay. Even if you are not a spiritual person, there are ways  you can still provide spiritual care to your patients. You can put  people in touch with God through compassionate presence, prayer, Bible  reading, and active listening (Shelly & Miller, 2006). These can  also help patients through their difficult time if faith and  spirituality is important to them.

References

Shelly, J. A., & Miller, A. B. (2006). Called to Care: A  Christian Worldview for Nursing (2nd ed.). Downers Grove, IL:  InterVarsity Press.