Worldview Foundations of Spirituality and Ethics

In the wake of postmodernism and scientism, has shifted the focus of health care from a caring and service model to technological and cure-focused model. As such, technology trends have taken over the medical healthcare sector in the bid to prolong life. However, in the past few years, healthcare practitioners have attempted to provide balance during caregiving by taking a keen interest in the patients’ spiritual stand. Apart from science, spirituality also has a huge role to play in personal health care. Therefore, spiritual compassion involves taking care of the patients’ needs-physically, emotionally, socially and spiritually. This paper looks into the importance of Spirituality and their relevance in the context of managed care. 

Spirituality and Their Relevance in the Context of Managed Care

Postmodernism

When people suffer from chronic illnesses and such, it is challenging for physicians to explain the importance of suffering and encourage acceptance. According to Brown, Elkonin & Naicker (2013) for most people religion and spirituality play a crucial role in providing meaning and purpose for many people. When people are going through physical challenges such as pain and diseases, they have other concerns as well. For instance, they tend to think about death, life after death, prime reality and such. Most physicians will panic when confronted with such questions if they lack a necessary background about spirituality. Nonetheless, patients would appreciate if their physicians and friends support them in their struggle to find answers (Brown, Elkonin & Naicker, 2013). 

As stated earlier, postmodernism has a significant role to play in health care. As a result, the focus in health care provisions is no longer about service. Instead, service delivery is more about technology and cure. According to (O’brien, 2017) despite the improvement in technology, most patients feel not catered for when it comes to their religious beliefs. Complete healing is not just about incorporating the latest and best technology but also answering the patients’ spiritual questions (Granqvist, 2014). Sometimes, technology fails to cure some illness, and that is why supernatural intervention is crucial for encouraging acceptance. 

Pluralism

Granqvist (2014) provides that, apart from technological advances in medical care, religious convictions are also crucial when it comes to patients’ healing progress. Presently, medical care is more than just cure and caregiving requires more than one basic rule. As such, spirituality is one of the needs that are essential for patients to cope with their pain and provide answers for their experiences (O’brien, 2017). In some instances, incorporating spirituality might bring rise to depression. Understanding the patients’ beliefs is necessary for explaining why they are going through that difficult moment. Nonetheless, spirituality, in general, brings out positive outcome in a patient. As such, it is best to encourage caregivers to familiarize with different spiritual beliefs. For instance, in some beliefs, it is one’s fault if one falls sick. Physicians can assure such patients that it is not their fault that they are sick.  Accompanied by ethics, it is possible to change a patient’s overall health by showing that one understands their religious beliefs. 

In most spiritual beliefs, there is a purpose in what people go through when they are ill. As such, while medical care is necessary for healing, it is equally essential to provide spiritual healing for them to cope. Some patients are worried about life death and life after death. By being able to explain these events, patients can transition from one phase to another without feeling scared (O’brien , 2017). In addition, spiritual healing is not only essential for the patient but the family as well. They should be in a position to understand why their family member is going through such trying period. 

Scientism

Brown, Elkonin & Naicker (2013) provide that, biological sciences and research are essential when it comes to patients’ health care. Similarly, spiritual care tends to boost recovery from illness. Participating in religious activities helps to promote self-esteem and suppress anxieties which are critical during the healing process. Combining science and spiritualism is an important part of the therapy process. While science has helped in explaining many things, sometimes there are no answers to questions like why people die. However, with the help of spiritualism, the caregiver can tell their patients that it is normal to be oblivious to certain subjects. According to the placebo effect, people’s beliefs are powerful and can change health outcome. As such, nurses and doctors can tap into the patient’s inner resources and help them heal or cope. 

In conclusion, scientism and modernism have influenced the perceived philosophical and cultural tension in science and religion. To do away with the pressure, health care providers are now incorporating spiritual practices when taking care of patients. Presently, patient health care does not conform to only modernism and science. According to research, taking care of the patients’ spiritual needs can help them overcome their physical pain and stress (O’brien, 2017). In today’s holistic caregiving, physicians should address and attend to all the patient’s needs: physical, emotional and spiritual. Through this approach, helps the doctors and nurses to be compassionate towards their patient who is critical in therapy. Therefore, should be genuine religious and ethical dialogue in the context of healthcare to improve health care giving outcomes. 

References

Brown, O., Elkonin, D., & Naicker, S. (2013). The use of religion and spirituality in 

psychotherapy: Enablers and barriers. Journal of religion and health, 52(4), 1131-1146.

Granqvist, P. (2014). Mental health and religion from an attachment viewpoint: Overview with 

implications for future research. Mental Health, Religion & Culture, 17(8), 777-793.

O’brien, M. E. (2017). Spirituality in nursing. Jones & Bartlett Learning.