Benchmark – Patient’s Spiritual
Needs: Case Analysis
In addition to the topic study materials, use the chart you completed and questions you answered in the Topic 3 about
"Case Study: Healing and Autonomy" as the basis for your responses in this assignment.
Answer the following questions about a patients spiritual needs in light of the Christian worldview.
1. In 200-250 words, respond to the following: Should the physician allow Mike to continue making decisions
that seem to him to be irrational and harmful to James, or would that mean a disrespect of a patient’s
autonomy? Explain your rationale.
2. In 400-500 words, respond to the following: How ought the Christian think about sickness and health? How
should a Christian think about medical intervention? What should Mike as a Christian do? How should he
reason about trusting God and treating James in relation to what is truly honoring the principles of
beneficence and nonmaleficence in James’s care?
3. In 200-250 words, respond to the following: How would a spiritual needs assessment help the physician
assist Mike determine appropriate interventions for James and for his family or others involved in his care?

Solution:

Patient’s Spiritual Needs: Case Analysis

The aim of this paper is to explore the patient’s spiritual needs through case analysis. As such, the paper is devoted to examining the aspect of decision-making and the principle of autonomy in light of the Christian perspective, and the principles of Beneficence and Nonmaleficence. The paper also explores spiritual needs assessment as well as intervention.

Decision-Making and Principle of Autonomy

Autonomy is considered as one of the main ethical principles in the context of healthcare.  It typically involves the right of the patients to make personal decisions their care without being influenced by healthcare practitioners. The principle if autonomy holds that each individual is entitled to his or her values, reasons, and standards. Further, Blasimme and Vayena (2016) explain that the principle of autonomy articulates that in relation to self-determination, each individual has his or her own interests.  Taking this into consideration, in the realm of healthcare self-determination of patients need to be protected accordingly. This is by ensuring that the patients are empowered when it comes to making critical medical decisions (Moulton & King, 2010). Precisely, patients should be empowered to make decisions on the basis of their personal values and beliefs and standards. Despite the fact patient autonomy usually allow healthcare providers to provide education to patients on a wide range of aspects, it holds that patients should be left to make their own decisions.  From this point of view, considering the case of Mike, it is arguable that his decision is harmful and irrational to a considerable extent….Please click the icon below to purchase the full solution at $10