Question 1
For the given scenario, I would not let the patient make the decision that would be irrational and harmful to James. The given scenario involves Mike and Joanne delaying the treatment of their son by hoping that he will be able to receive treatment in the form of a miracle through God’s intervention. However, the current scenario is that James status has been deteriorating and he is in need of an urgent kidney transplant, possibly within a year. Mike and Joanne were involved in such a scenario in the past where Janes was to receive a dialysis but it did not take place in the correct time. This resulted in unnecessary suffering on behalf of James. The current situation is a lot similar and it appears that the past situation did not let them accept the process of medicine.
One of the concerns of not letting Mike to continually make the decision is that it may be a disrespect of the patient’s autonomy. The situation should thus be approached in a process that shows respect for autonomy. Ediger (2015) observes that the evaluation of respect of autonomy should be done by following some guidelines such as whether the patient is competent and whether their right to choose the treatment. From the analysis, Mike is not in a position to provide the right kind of treatment. The physician should thus advice Mike on the consequences of his actions and the need to have the transplant taken as soon as possible otherwise they are risking the life of his son. If Mike does not accept this, then the next course of action would be to report him to authorities as he is denying the basic right of proper healthcare to another individual.
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Question 2
Christians have different views of sickness and health. Most of the views are usually shaped by the Bible and popular perceptions of the current society. Christians observe that sickness is a result of a consequence of one’s sins and that God could be punishing them for their sins. Based on this perspective, having good health is regarded as a gift from God. When Christians go through suffering as a result of sickness, many attribute it to God testing their faith so that they can trust God for healing. There are some Christians that hold strict beliefs regarding sickness and observe that one should not take medication but should instead rely on God’s healing through faith.
The best approach that can be taken by Christians about sickness and medicine is that God can use medicine and physicians to deliver healing. According to Meilaender (2013), Christians that seek medical help are not demonstrating lack of faith or trust. Instead, it shows that they are trusting for the approaches that God has provided to provide healing. Additionally, one should not depend solely on caregivers to realize healing and wholeness. Even as Christians seek medical treatment, they should still trust that God would provide healing through the treatment and that he is the one that provides wholeness. Shelly and Miller (2009) hold the same opinion when they observe that wholeness is not something that one can achieve. Instead, it is a gift from God. By holding this view of medicine and healing, Christians should reconcile their faith with the current medicine in a way that promotes the beneficence.
For the given scenario, Mike as a Christian should be willing to take his son for treatment and receive the kidney transplant but have faith and trust God that the transplant operations will go on successfully. He should also show his faith by trusting that God will provide the wholeness of his son whose situation has been deteriorating for some time. Mike should thus pray for his son and join with other members of the church as they pray for his son. He should also change his view by noting that doctors are instruments of God to promote health and wellness. As a Christian, Mike should also consider that it as a miracle to easily find a donor within his family. With the brother having a matching kidney should show him that it could be God’s plan for him to have a twin that would ultimately donate the kidney.
One of the principles that Mike should be informed about is that of beneficence and non-maleficence. The principle of beneficence involves promoting healthcare that benefits the patients. Mike should then be informed that allowing for the kidney transplant would follow the principle of beneficence as it would benefit James treatment and recovery. The next principle of non-maleficence observes that harm to patient should be avoided. Mike should be informed that not allowing the kidney transplant would be essentially causing harm to James. This should be reconciled to Mike’s faith Christian faith which is based on the theme of love and doing good to others.
Question 3
A spiritual needs assessment can be used to assist Mike with his dilemma and help him make the best decision for his son James. One of the benefits of a spiritual needs assessment is to help in determining whether the patient is experiencing spiritual distress (Timmins & Caldeira, 2017). Spiritual distress can come about through experiencing disturbance as a result of one’s faith. By determining the amount of distress that Mike has gone through when choosing a treatment approach and the source of the distress, the physician should be better equipped to help him. The current situation involves Mike going through distress as he believes that his faith is put into test. While this could be true, Mike should be guided to understand how his faith is specifically being put to test and what would be the best approach.
The spiritual needs assessment can also be used to reveal several other aspects of one’s belief system. It could reveal that one needs to listen and read the word of God closely so as to understand what is the will of God in a given difficult situation. Mike could be facing such a situation where he needs to search the word of God so as to find answers that would benefit his son. The spiritual assessment could also reveal that there is a need for Mike to pray for his son. Such a prayer should help Mike to express himself to God and communicate with God about his current situation and dilemma with expressing his faith. This could be used to help him realize the will of God and the treatment approach that should be followed.
References
Ediger, M. J. (2015). Teaching Clinical Ethics Using the Four Topic Method. International Journal of Athletic Therapy and Training, 20(6), 10-13.
Meilaender, G. (2013). Bioethics: A primer for Christians. Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing.
Shelly, J. A., & Miller, A. B. (2009). Called to care: A Christian worldview for nursing. InterVarsity Press.
Timmins, F., & Caldeira, S. (2017). Assessing the spiritual needs of patients. Nursing Standard (2014+), 31(29), 47.
