Health Care Provider and Faith Diversity | Assignment

Health Care Provider and Faith Diversity
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Abstract:
Provision of healing process and medical intervention to the patient is very important aspect
for the patient. Healthcare professional need to know physical, religious, cultural and spiritual
needs of the patient to provide holistic care to the patient. Some patients might ask
healthcare provider to pray for their recovery and some patients might share their worries
about the health with healthcare provider. In such cases, healthcare provider should be in
such a position to understand faith philosophy of different religions. Doctors and nurses
should integrate scientific medical care along with faith and religion for providing holistic
care to the patient. Healthcare professionals should understand common and different aspects
in varied religions. In both Christian and Buddhism, there is choice for the patient to choose
medical intervention and abortion is considered as murder. In Buddhism there is practice of
yoga and meditation, however in Christian there is no place for yoga and meditation. By
understanding these common and different aspects, healthcare provider can set common
protocol for patients care of all religions and can provide healthcare services in more efficient
manner.
Introduction:
In most of the healthcare facilities, patients from different religion get enrolled for treatment.
Same is the thing for healthcare provider. They also can be from different religion and
culture. One common factor for all these stakeholders is provision of best quality care to the
patients. Hence, to provide best quality care to patients, all the healthcare providers should
understand different religions and cultures and they should be sensitive to patients from
different cultures (Timmins, 2012).
Discussion:
Christian medical science is based on the Bible. Christ Jesus’s teaching is also responsible for
the Cristian medical science. Spiritual healing which is based on prayer has unique
importance in Christian faith philosophy (Nations, 2012). Faith community of the Buddhist is
based on the spiritual practices which are written in various scriptures in diverse languages
from different parts of the world. Buddha, Dharma and Sangha are the sacred Triple Gem all
Buddhists have deep admiration which symbolizes spiritual enlightenment and lively social
network with non-violence and empathy (Dicker and De Silva, 2009). Mary Baker Eddy is
responsible for the foundation of Christian Science which comprises of Church of Christ and
Scientist which are spread worldwide (Wallace, 2009). There is lack of ordained clergy in the
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Church, however there is provision of healing ministry for members of community and
public. Philosophy of Buddhist is based on the teaching of doctrines of Four Noble Truths
which are Four Aspects of Reality. These include existence based on the disappointing
experience, dissatisfying existence or diseased existence, cause of disease due to varied
longing of different people and acceptance of Eightfold path for overcoming disease. Actions
taught in the Buddhist doctrine include acceptance of Four Noble Truths, spreading of
impermanence and inherent dissatisfaction of sense pleasure, avoid untruth and abusive
language, protecting every living creature, accepting only provided things, accepting
livelihood without harming others, avoid evil from originating, thrust for acquiring good
qualities, developing observant and alert qualities, devoid of desire and practicing meditation
(Koenig et al., 2012).
Practice of Christian science is fundamentally based on the fact that every individual has
exclusive spiritual journey. Christianity faith is based on the theological aspects. It includes
safe belief in God and accepting God’s will. Christian science teaching and practice has
freedom for each individual to take decisions of their own health and daily activities. No one
can interfere with individual’s these activities. Buddhist have strong desire that attachments
and misunderstandings are mainly responsible for the origin of pain and it can lead to
unsatisfying life due to strong desires. According to Buddhist philosophy, life is transient and
temporary. Preparation of mind and accepting Eightfold path are useful in the achieving
peace and getting relief from pain. According to Buddhist, nirvana is possible which is
elimination of pain. Buddhist aims at quality of life rather than quantity of life (Wachholtz et
al., 2007).
In Christians, there is provision to answer all the questions related to the diagnosis, treatment,
birth and death, on individual basis or person specific. There is no obstacle for the Christian
scientist who entered hospital voluntarily to accept conventional health protocol, however
he/she can choose to keep this conventional practice to minimum level. Decisions related to
the vital medical procedures like blood transfusion, organ transplantation, organ donation and
life support, completely depends on the patient and family members. A Christian scientist
who brought to the medical facility involuntarily due to accident or injury, can refuse to avail
conventional medical treatment and choose to be freed from the facility to look after family.
At few locations, nursing facilities are supported by Church. In such nursing facilities,
Christian scientist can avail health care service devoid of drugs and medications (Cadge et al.,
2008). There is a provision for open discussion with patients to enquire about their
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