Introduction
Patients require evidence-based care in order to achieve their health goals (Bednarz, Schim, & Doorenbos, 2010). Medical practitioners should use appropriate skills in order to empower their patients. According to Betancourt, Green, & Carrillo (2002), nurses should be aware of the diverse needs of every patient. Culturally-competent care focuses on the needs of different clients. Patients also tend to have their diverse religious views. Healthcare practitioners should be aware of such religious backgrounds. This discussion describes how Christianity and Buddhism support the health needs of many patients.
Christianity
Christians have powerful spiritual views and worldviews. Such views can influence the quality of care availed to different patients. Christians expect different caregivers to focus on various components of healing. Components such as meditation, prayers, and the Bible should be used in order to support every patient (Bednarz et al., 2010). A powerful belief system will ensure more patients achieve their health goals. Christian can also expect miracles from their religious leaders. These components will make it easier for many caregivers to support different patients.
Worldviews
- Prime reality
The prime reality for Christians is God. Christians “believe that God is all-knowing” (Bednarz et al., 2010, p. 257). God guides and empowers Christians to realize their objectives. - The nature of the world around us
Christians believe that the world has both ordered and chaotic forces (Betancourt et al., 2002). Such forces usually reshape the experiences of many people across the globe. Human beings should therefore be aware of their surroundings. - A human being
Christians believe that “human beings are intelligent, competent, and highly-complex” (Betancourt et al., 2002, p. 16). They are also “designed in the image of God” (Bednarz et al., 2010, p. 258). Intelligence is what makes it possible for people to make the best decisions. - What happens to a person at death?
According to Christians, human beings will go to hell or heaven after death. Such “believers argue that a new kind of transformation will occur” (Betancourt et al., 2002, p. 19). A new beginning occurs after death. - Why it is possible to know different things
Human beings are created in God’s image thus making it easier for them to promote the best judgments (Betancourt et al., 2002). This kind of rationality explains how people understand the major issues around them. - How people know what is wrong or right
Christians borrow a lot from God’s teaching. The Bible guides them to make appropriate decisions. This “knowledge makes it possible for people to differentiate between what is wrong and right” (Betancourt et al., 2002, p. 23). - The ultimate meaning of human history
Christians believe that “God wanted to establish the best place after death” (Douglas et al., 2011, p. 324). The Bible also encourages believers to support every meaning aspect of human history. People’s understanding of the past can make it easier for them to have a new future.
Buddhism
Watts and Tomatsu (2014) argue that Buddhism is one of the most complex religious groups. It also offers complex philosophies to support the healing processes of different patients. Buddhists argue that “the world is a form that is ever-changing” (Watts & Tomatsu, 2014, p. 12). According to Buddhism, different elements will come together in an attempt to establish a specific form or order (Watts & Tomatsu, 2014). Such forms disintegrate thus producing new elements. This concept is used to explore the origin of the entire universe (Watts & Tomatsu, 2014). The Buddha offers powerful concepts that support the religious views of many believers.
Worldviews
- Prime reality
Buddhists argue that “prime reality is samsara” (Watts & Tomatsu, 2014, p. 9). Such believers also have different gods. As well, salvation is a powerful force that must be embraced within a human being’s soul. The Buddha is also “a human being who delivers powerful ideas and concepts to more people” (Watts & Tomatsu, 2014, p. 18). - The nature of the world around us
Buddhists argue that “the world is a system that guides the behaviors, actions, and goals of different people” (Watts & Tomatsu, 2014, p. 23). - A human being
Buddhism teaches its followers that human beings are complex creatures. Such creatures have the potential to achieve their religious, emotional, and physical goals (Watts & Tomatsu, 2014). - What happens to a person at death?
Buddhists focus on a better life on earth (Watts & Tomatsu, 2014). However, Buddhists believe that a person will extinct after death. - Why it is possible to know different things
Buddhists believe strongly that people should embrace the teachings of the Buddha. Such teachings will make it easier for them to achieve their goals (Bednarz et al., 2010). This process makes it easier for many individuals to achieve their spiritual goals. - How people know what is wrong or right
Many followers embrace different teachings of the Buddha. This knowledge makes it easier for them to differentiate between what is right and wrong (Bednarz et al., 2010). Buddhists embrace the best teachings in order to achieve their potentials. - The ultimate meaning of human history
According to Buddhists, the purpose of human history is to prepare people for a better earth (Bednarz et al., 2010).
Common Components to all Beliefs
Healthcare practitioners should be aware of the spiritual aspects of different patients. Some components of healing are usually common among all religious groups. For example, prayers are used by Buddhists, Muslims, Judaists, and Christians. Caregivers should incorporate prayers whenever supporting the health needs of their patients. Spiritual guidance is a powerful practice undertaken by many religious leaders. In Christianity, pastors and bishops pray for their followers (Douglas et al., 2011). Buddhism also embraces similar practices to support the changing health needs of many patients. Many religions embrace the power of meditation. Different nursing theories focus on the four unique paradigms. Every healing process should therefore embrace the concept of meditation in order to re-pattern a person’s spiritual health.
Belief is another critical component embraced by different religious groups. For instance, Buddhists believe in the concept of enlightenment (Jeffreys, 2008). A powerful spiritual foundation can support the health needs of many Buddhists. As well, different religious groups “such as Muslims and Christians believe strongly that there is a God who is in control” (Bednarz et al., 2010, p. 259). The individuals engage in the most acceptable practices in order to achieve their spiritual goals. Such components will play a positive role throughout the healing process.
Imagination is also used to re-pattern a person’s spiritual experience. This practice makes it easier for different people to focus on the best teachings and thoughts. Positive imaginations can play a vital role throughout the healing process (Jeffreys, 2008). Practitioners should therefore be aware of these components whenever supporting different populations with diverse health needs.
Critical Issues for Patients Receiving Healthcare from Caregivers from Different Faiths
The above discussion has outlined the common components that can support the healing process of many patients. Jeffreys (2008) believes that “patients require evidence-based and culturally-competent care” (p. 39). Buddhists and Christians will always expect their caregivers to be aware of their beliefs. For instance, a Christian patient expects his or her caregiver to embrace the power of prayer. The practitioner should encourage the patient to pray and meditate. Buddhists will also expect their caregivers “to promote various concepts such as meditation and recitation” (Jeffreys, 2008, p. 40). The enlightenment factors embraced by members of this religious group should be taken seriously. Caregivers should use these spiritual qualities in order to support every patient.
Patients from both religious groups will also expect their family members and friends to be involved throughout the healing process. Practitioners and caregivers from different spiritual beliefs should not portray their spiritual views. The nurses are required to engage in the most acceptable practices (Douglas et al., 2011). They should focus on the most appropriate practices in order to support their patients.
Patients should receive the best support and care from their caregivers. The concept of culturally-competent care therefore works effectively towards producing the best results. Physicians and nurses must therefore focus on different theories of medical practice. Such theories will make it easier for them to support the ever-changing needs of every patient (Jeffreys, 2008). These practices can produce the best results. Nurses can use their personal religious views whenever treating patients with similar worldviews. The practice will also change whenever treating clients from different religious backgrounds (Douglas et al., 2011). The important goal is to achieve the best health outcomes.
Conclusion
My religious foundation has equipped me with powerful spiritual perspectives on healing. For instance, I know that prayers, meditations, and spiritual guidance can support the health goals of many patients. As well, I believe that continued spiritual support from family members, caregivers, and friends is something that can improve the healing process. Individuals should also be allowed to portray their worldviews. The spiritual needs of different patients should also be considered whenever providing culturally-competent care to them. These perspectives and ideas have always supported my nursing philosophy. The study has also equipped me with new concepts that will make me a competent provider of culturally-sensitive care. It is appropriate to support the needs of different clients while at the same time considering their spiritual perspectives of healing. The use of such perspectives will present new opportunities thus delivering positive results (Douglas et al., 2011). This class learning has also explained why healthcare providers should be ready to deliver culturally-competent care to their patients. The practitioners should put their spiritual perspectives aside and support their patients. Patients’ relatives and family members should also be consulted in order to deliver the most appropriate care. Such measures will support the health needs of many clients. The practice will eventually improve the nature and quality of nursing practice in every part of the world. I will also examine the religious components and spiritual perspectives embraced by other religious groups.
Reference List
Bednarz, H., Schim, S., & Doorenbos, A. (2010). Cultural Diversity in Nursing Education: Perils, Pitfalls, and Pearls. Journal of Nursing Educator, 49(5), 253-260.
Betancourt, J., Green, A., & Carrillo, J. (2002). Cultural Competencies in Health Care: Emerging Frameworks and Practical Approaches. The Commonwealth Fund, 1(1), 1-30.
Douglas, M., Pierce, J., Rosenkoetter, M., Pacquiao, D., Callister, L., Hattar-Pollara, M.,…Purnell, L. (2011). Standards of Practice for Culturally Competent Nursing Care: 2011 Update. Journal of Trans-cultural Nursing, 22(4), 317-333.
Jeffreys, M. (2008). Dynamics of Diversity: Becoming Better Nurses through Diversity Awareness. NSNA Imprint, 1(1), 37-41.
Watts, J., & Tomatsu, Y. (2014). Buddhist Care for the Dying and Bereaved. New York, NY: Simon and Schuster.