Abstract
This essay examines the nature of different religious groups. This knowledge presents new perspectives on healing that can support the needs of many practitioners. The targeted faiths include Buddhism, Shintoism, and Baha’i. The essay will examine the healing perspectives embraced by such religious groups. The discussion will examine how such perspectives can make nursing successful.
Introduction
Medical practitioners interact with many patients from different religious backgrounds. Such practitioners should “accept the diversity of faith expressions in order to achieve the best goals” (Koss-Chioino & Hefner, 2006, p. 12). A proper understanding of a person’s faith will produce the best medical outcomes. However, some challenges might arise whenever nurses are supporting the health needs of their patients.
Analysis of Different Religious Groups: Spiritual Perspectives on Healing
Buddhists have a unique spiritual perspective on healing. The religion teaches its people to promote the idea of transformation. The approach makes it easier for “believers to see sickness as something positive” (Gandhi, 2013, p. 52). This spiritual perspective will encourage them to embrace the best practices and ideas (Paonil & Sringernyuang, 2002). Buddhists are encouraged to embrace suffering voluntarily. This practice encourages Buddhists to promote the best healing perspectives. The individuals should also develop a meaningful compassion (Paonil & Sringernyuang, 2002). This approach will ensure every believer has a peaceful mind. The practice will improve the level of healing. The perspective also encourages medical practitioners to use modern principles. This approach will produce the best health outcomes.
Shintoism is a common belief in Japan and other Asian countries. This religion encourages its believers “to focus on the best ways to their creator” (Sivananda, 2014, p. 1). This practice is known as Dharma. A Guru is someone who embraces God’s teachings. This religious group encourages its believers to embrace the best ideas. Shintoism “discourages its believers from focusing on the things of the world” (Sivananda, 2014, p. 1). They should also follow God’s teachings. This strategy will encourage them to have pure hearts and bodies. This practice supports the health needs of many patients. Every person should have a powerful understanding of God’s teachings. This practice will result in self-rejuvenation. Members of this religion embrace different charms such as Mamori. These spiritual aspects will result in healing.
Baha’i is a unique religion in different societies. These individuals believe strongly that the world is eternal. These believers also have a unique perception on healing. To begin with, every “caregiver serves God by supporting the sick” (Gandhi, 2013, p. 51). Although “human beings use different medicines, the true healing is through formalized prayers” (Gandhi, 2013, p. 53). These individuals “promote a strong relationship between spiritual conditions and emotional feelings” (Gandhi, 2013, p. 53). That being the case, the Baha’i encourages every person to embrace the best spiritual practices. This religion “also supports the use of good diets” (Gandhi, 2013, p. 53). These practices will eventually support the health needs of many patients.
On the other hand, Christians have a powerful spiritual perspective on healing. Many Christians believe strongly that God can heal their diseases. Such believers also develop the best hope and trust in order to achieve their spiritual needs. The “critical components of healing are belief, faith, and prayer” (Paonil & Sringernyuang, 2002, p. 65). Many Christian believers will embrace these components whenever they are sick. The practice makes it easier for Christians to achieve the best health outcomes. These believers also use modern practices and technologies. A large number of Christians pray whenever they are sick. This practice “improves their confidence and trust” (Gandhi, 2013, p. 55).
Implications for Caregivers and Patients
The above discussions present meaningful ideas to both caregivers and patients. Some believers “receive the best health services from caregivers who share their beliefs” (Paonil & Sringernyuang, 2002, p. 98). Such patients ensure their caregivers understand their religious beliefs. This situation explains why some believers visit specific healthcare institutions. These patients believe strongly that such facilities will support their health needs (Paonil & Sringernyuang, 2002). Some individuals “reject caregivers whose spiritual beliefs differ from their own” (Gandhi, 2013, p. 53). It is agreeable that many patients want to get the best health services. Many Christians obtain the best health services from caregivers who support their beliefs.
Many caregivers abandon their beliefs in order to support the health needs of their patients. This practice makes it easier for them to provide evidence-based support to their patients. Such caregivers should also collaborate with their patients. Many caregivers also embrace the best perspectives on healing in order to produce the best medical outcomes (Koss-Chioino & Hefner, 2006). This discussion explains why caregivers should support the spiritual beliefs of their patients. This approach will make it easier for them to support the needs of their patients.
According to Koss-Chioino and Hefner (2006, p. 86), “many people trust healthcare providers who are able to abandon their beliefs”. Such nurses will support their health needs of their patients. Such patients will share their beliefs with every caregiver. This practice makes nursing a “holistic approach that focuses on the physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual aspects of different patients” (Koss-Chioino & Hefner, 2006, p. 106). The practice will eventually support the health needs of different people in the society.
Some patients might decide to “acquire the best health services from caregivers who have the same spiritual beliefs” (Koss-Chioino & Hefner, 2006, p. 72). Many Buddhists ensure their caregivers understand their spiritual beliefs. Some challenges will “occur whenever a patient realizes that his or her Nurse Practitioner (NP) is from a different religious group” (Koss-Chioino & Hefner, 2006, p. 93). The patient “might have little trust thus affecting the nursing process” (Koss-Chioino & Hefner, 2006, p. 93). Caregivers and nurses should always consider the spiritual needs of their patients.
Conclusion
This research has equipped me with new concepts that can support my career goals. I have understood why different religious groups have unique spiritual perspectives on healing. Medical practitioners should take such perspectives into consideration whenever supporting the health needs of their patients (Koss-Chioino & Hefner, 2006). I am also planning to read more books and articles. This practice will make it easier for me to understand the critical components of healing. This knowledge can support the needs of different patients. This practice is also applicable in different healthcare institutions. Every healthcare facility should have a diverse workforce. This approach will “encourage nurses to support the health needs of many patients from different backgrounds” (Koss-Chioino & Hefner, 2006, p. 128). Nurses should use these components of healing in order to produce the best health outcomes. Nursing should therefore be a holistic practice that supports the needs of many patients. Medical practitioners should conduct different researches in order to achieve their goals. Caregivers should support their patients from diverse religious backgrounds.
Reference List
Gandhi, S. (2013). Tests of God: Notions of Suffering, Health, and Healing in the Baha’i Faith. Religious Healing in Boston, 1(1), 51-55.
Koss-Chioino, J., & Hefner, P. (2006). Spiritual Transformation and Healing: Anthropological, Theological, Neuro-scientific, and Clinical Perspectives. New York, NY: Rowman Altamira.
Paonil, W., & Sringernyuang, L. (2002). Buddhist Perspectives on Health and Healing. The Chulalongkorn Journal of Buddhist Studies, 1(2), 93-105.
Sivananda, S. (2014). Shintoism. Web.