Topic 1 DQ 2
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Topic 1 DQ 2
The course has been illuminating on the role spirituality plays in primary care and professional development. One of the interesting findings is the influence worldview has on medicine. I found the human belief system to be highly influential in people’s health seeking behaviours and ability to recover. For instance, Jasemi et al. (2017) talk about the Christian understanding of good and evil and disease and healing when it comes to health and wellbeing. The Christian purview creates the inspiration for coping mentally and emotionally during an illness. The underlying lesson is health interventions involves both science and spirituality. Clinicians and nurses have the obligation to carry out a cultural and spiritual history analysis of the patient to identify their cultural preferences (Bogue & Hogan, 2020). The duty highlights that the nurse’s and clinician’s role extends beyond the provision of health services, signifying a higher purpose geared towards the betterment of others.
Another interest point in the reading was the definition of healing. The main purpose of providing healthcare is to enable healing. People often associate the term ‘healing’ with a course of treatment or cure, but the lessons on spirituality indicate a much broader meaning. Healing refers to a continuous journey undertaken together with the patient to meet their mental, emotional and physical needs. True healing happens when the patient is an active participant in their recovery (Koenig, 2012). Therefore, it is the caregiver’s responsibility to give them agency and to respect their autonomy. Patients should have access to tools, resources and information that enable effective decision-making. In addition, patients should have robust support systems that help cater to their social and spiritual requirements. All these functions require facilitation from the primary caregiver.
References
Bogue, D. & Hogasn, M. (2020). Practicing dignity: An introduction to Christian values and decision making in health care. GCU Media.
Jasemi, M., Valizadeh, L., Zamanzadeh, V., & Keogh, B. (2017). A concept analysis of holistic care by hybrid model. Indian Journal of Palliative Care, 23(1), 71–80. https://doi.org/10.4103/0973-1075.197960
Koenig H. G. (2012). Religion, spirituality, and health: the research and clinical implications. ISRN Psychiatry, 12(27). https://doi.org/10.5402/2012/278730
Peer Responses
Andrew Houle
The post contains quite an interesting and illuminating take on the role worldview plays on patient recovery and wellbeing. It is inspiring that despite not having a religious childhood, the author still recognizes the importance of spirituality in patient care and professional life. I would wish to emulate his reflective practice as he consistently assesses his worldview to determine how it is stacked against others. The tendency mirrors Jasemi et al.’s (2017) call for medical practitioners to evaluate individual biases for a better understanding of patient needs, cultures and preferences. Holistic care entails the acknowledgement that patient needs have important implications on medical outcomes. Spirituality in healing revolves more around the patient’s worldview and not the clinicians. Medical practitioners empower the patient with information to negate any harmful cultural or religious beliefs, values and practices while promoting beneficial ones.
Reference
Jasemi, M., Valizadeh, L., Zamanzadeh, V., & Keogh, B. (2017). A concept analysis of holistic care by hybrid model. Indian Journal of Palliative Care, 23(1), 71–80. https://doi.org/10.4103/0973-1075.197960
Amanda Okoro
I would recommend the post to anyone who wishes to understand why nursing and other forms of primary care are considered professions with a higher purpose. According to the author, the question of value in Bogue and Hogan’s (2020) chapter two made her reflect on how spirituality is the cornerstone of her employment. Science and medicine have come a long way. However, certain diseases and phenomena remain problematic and unknown. It is in these instances of uncertainty that spirituality supports primary care (Bogue & Hogan, 2020). Clinicians hold on to faith to progress professionally, serve others and promote communal wellbeing. On the other hand, patients hold on to their spirituality to cope and facilitate a speedy recovery. Understanding how each agent within the healthcare system utilizes their spirituality is key to a healthier society.
Reference
Bogue, D. & Hogasn, M. (2020). Practicing dignity: An introduction to Christian values and decision making in health care. GCU Media.
Daisy Castro
The discussion post offers a comprehensive review of the different forms of healing. Given that spirituality means something different to people, healing equally occurs and manifests in different ways. According to the author, healing begins when the nurse starts interacting with the patient. The definition mirrors Isaac et al.’s (2016) portrayal of healing as a continuous journey involving frequent communication between the patient, family members and caregivers. The nurse’s role is to remain attentive to identify the unique meaning of spirituality per patient to integrate it into their care. The looming question is if healing continues after treatment. How does the nurse of clinician continue to use spirituality to foster recovery and wellbeing after the patient leaves the hospital? More discussion should ensue on how to employ spirituality in ensuring holistic care in the home environment. It might come as a surprise to many that households nowadays are not as religious or spiritual.
Reference
Isaac, K. S., Hay, J. L., & Lubetkin, E. I. (2016). Incorporating spirituality in primary care. Journal of Religion and Health, 55(3), 1065–1077. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10943-016-0190-2