Biomedical ethics is a field that many practitioners should take seriously. Healthcare providers should liaise with the targeted patients in order to provide culturally competent care. The paper presented below discusses a major medical dilemma that physicians can address using the Christian narrative to protect lives.
Pressing Issues
The presented case study indicates that James is suffering from a condition known as glomerulonephritis. This means that he should have his kidney transplanted. His physician indicates that dialysis is necessary to address his health problem. However, Mike and Joanne believe that prayers are the only solution to their son’s woes. The first pressing concern is that the individuals involved in this case appear to have diverse opinions. According to Mike’s Christian faith, all human beings form a critical part of God’s creation. This means that human beings should always follow God’s commandments and teachings (Baldacchino, 2017).
With this kind of information, James’s parents have decided not to consider dialysis. His condition has worsened after he was taken to a faith healing service. Since he has not recorded positive health outcomes, James’ father has become cynical about his faith. He even believes that his family might be facing God’s wrath. This dilemma arises from the relationship between the Christian faith and the acceptance of medical procedures.
The second pressing issue is that of organ transplants. Since Mike and Joanne failed to embrace the power of prayers, it is clear that their son’s condition has worsened. The current situation is that the patient should have his kidney transplanted if he is to continue having a healthy life (Sulmasy, 2016). A donor is required to offer his kidney to the targeted patient. This issue amounts to a dilemma since it appears to be against the family’s Christian faith. There is a need for those involved to address these pressing concerns and ensure that James’ health expectations are met.
Physician’s Decision
The four principles of bioethics are applicable to Mike’s situation. According to them, physicians should focus on the wellbeing of their respective patients and offer adequate support. The principles of autonomy indicate that all persons should have their decisions considered whenever providing medical support. Nonmaleficence indicates that people should not harm others (Baldacchino, 2017). The principles of beneficence and justice guide caregivers to act ethically and focus on their patients’ health needs. After considering these ideas, it would be inappropriate for the physician to make decisions that cannot compromise James’s future.
The above concerns amount to an ethical problem. The physician should inform or encourage Mike to have a proper understanding of the role of medical practice in Christianity. Using his insights and competencies, the professional should inform Mike that care delivery is a process that does not challenge religious faith. The physician should go further to guide James’ parents in order to record positive health results. A multidisciplinary team approach can be considered to support the targeted patient. The inclusion of different individuals and professionals will transform the situation and encourage Mike and Joanne to focus on their son’s health needs. The role of prayers can be considered by introducing a religious leader to be part of the team (Sulmasy, 2016). This approach will maximize James’ experiences and support his potential.
Analysis of the Presented Case
Professionals and healthcare workers can consider the effectiveness of the Christian narrative to describe the pressing issues identified in the presented case. Patient autonomy is a concept that is supported by the four principles of medical practice and bioethics. The idea indicates that all practitioners should consider the most appropriate practices and processes to maximize the quality of care available to the targeted patients. Since some parents and guardians might decide not to seek medical support for their children, it is always necessary for physicians to offer adequate advice throughout every treatment process.
The concept of patient autonomy is, therefore, what should guide all professionals involved in James’ case. Another issue to consider is that of organ donation. The health condition facing James requires an organ transplant (Farshad, Farrahbakhsh, & Salmabadi, 2015). This is a certified or approved medical procedure that can maximize the health outcomes of patients suffering from kidney complications. The professionals and practitioners involved should be ready to present adequate resources to meet the patients’ needs. This should be done while at the same time focusing on James’ autonomy.
According to the Christian narrative, human beings have superior minds that empower them to make evidence-based and timely decisions. They are empowered to focus on their goals on earth and eventually be part of God’s kingdom. The field of medicine should also be pursued as one of God’s gifts to human beings. The involved physician should use this information to educate Mike and Joanne and encourage them to consider the importance of various medical processes in safeguarding human life. All stakeholders should be aware of this relationship in order to support James’ health demands (Farshad et al., 2015).
James and Samuel can also be informed about the relevance of organ donation and how it can save human life. These insights should be taken seriously in order to support the needs of the targeted patient. The Christian narrative should be viewed as something that guides or empowers people to achieve their potential and overcome most of the health challenges they face.
Christianity, Sickness, and Health
The readings and materials studied in class offer numerous ideas that explain how different religious groups think about health and sickness. Medical conditions affect people from all cultural backgrounds. All religious believers usually have their unique thoughts and ideas about health and sickness. According to the Christian narrative, followers of this religion should embrace various Biblical teachings to guide them whenever they face difficulties.
This is the case because God wants His people to have better lives and eventually achieve their potential. Focusing on Christian teachings, it is clear that the field of medicine should be treated as a process or field that fulfills God’s purpose on earth. This insight should guide all believers to focus on appropriate practices that support God’s creation (Shahrbabaki, Nouhi, Kazemi, & Ahmadi, 2017).
Christians should also be willing to support and pray for each other. They should go further to develop superior practices or models for managing various diseases and terminal conditions, including kidney failure. From this discussion, it is agreeable that Christians should not be afraid of any form of sickness. Instead, they should be prayerful and consider evidence-based medical approaches that can result in positive health results.
Since Mike is a Christian, he should put God first and focus on His teachings. The above analysis has indicated that Christians should embrace the power of religious beliefs and medical processes if they are to achieve their health goals. Mike should also acknowledge the fact that healthcare practices do not contradict religious practices or beliefs. When medical processes are taken seriously, it can be possible to safeguard life and make it possible for many people to lead better lives. Mike should consider the above concepts and ideas in an attempt to support James’ medical needs. He should begin by considering the importance of a kidney transplant.
Such an evidence-based medical approach will support James’ health demands and re-pattern his medical status. Throughout the treatment period, it would be appropriate to form a multidisciplinary team that brings together different people, including James’ physician, caregivers, family members, counselors, and religious leaders (Baldacchino, 2017). Mike should liaise with all these stakeholders and guide James to appreciate the suggested medical process since it can address his medical problem. These aspects should also guide Mike’s reasoning. This is a clear indication that he will trust that God will heal his son once the physician performs the proposed medical procedure. The main objective is for Mike’s family to embrace the power of medical practice and eventually ensure that James achieves his potential.
Conclusion
The above discussion has revealed that the Christian narrative supports the importance of treatment methods in protecting human life. Focusing on the presented case, it would be appropriate for Mike to trust God and ensure that James gets the required kidney transplant. Such a medical procedure will make it possible for the targeted patient to realize his health objectives and lead a quality life.
References
Baldacchino, D. (2017). Spirituality in the healthcare workplace. Religions, 8(12), 260-269. Web.
Farshad, M. R., Farrahbakhsh, K., & Salmabadi, M. (2015). Simple and multiple correlations between religious belief, life expectancy, and self-efficacy on students. International Journal of School Health, 2(3), e24519. Web.
Shahrbabaki, P. M., Nouhi, E., Kazemi, M., & Ahmadi, F. (2017). Spirituality: A panacea for patients coping with heart failure. International Journal of Community Based Nursing and Midwifery, 5(1), 38-48.
Sulmasy, D. P. (2016). Christian witness in health care. Christian Bioethics: Non-Ecumenical Studies in Medical Morality, 22(1), 45-61. Web.