The Role of Religious Beliefs and Spirituality in Health Care

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The Role of Religious Beliefs and Spirituality in Health Care

Spirituality and faith diversity are some of the important factors health care providers should keep in mind when caring for their patients (Young, 2006). Each religion has a varying knowledge-based perspective concerning health maintenance, adversity, and the certainty of death. The practical aspect of faith diversity may affect both the healthcare provider and the patient during the hospitalization period if good communication is not maintained. In some cases, it is hard for health care providers to understand how ones religious traditions are applicable in a particular health condition. Health care providers need to ask their patients to give some insights concerning certain religious values, especially those that may affect their hospital stay, specific religious needs, or patient and staff interaction in case they are unaware of the religions belief (Lamberton & Sorajjakool, 2004). To highlight how understanding religious diversity plays a key role in health care centers, research was conducted by interviewing patients from different religious backgrounds. In the interview, information concerning healing faith, religious belief on sickness, and end life were analyzed and compared with the Christian philosophy of faith and healing.

During the interview, it was evident that the three patients had varying perspectives concerning health care and healing. The Buddhist patient for instance emphasized the need of both the patient and the health care provider to respect their religion when in the hospital. The Buddhists according to the interview have strong spiritual perspectives about healing and death. Praying which may at times be chanted out loud and repetitively is considered very essential in helping the patient to recover quickly. The patient stated that according to their religion, faith in healing is very important and those with strong faith are more likely to experience miraculous healing. In addition, the patient stated that it is important that health care providers allow patients to place the Buddhas picture in their room since this helps in quick recovery. In some cases as a way of beseeching their god the patient may request for incense to be burned. The patient, in addition, stated that after performing the religious rituals they were willing to accept the will of Buddha. In case the patient does not recover the families start conducting end life preparations which entail allowing the patient have quiet time for meditation since this is considered a transition period (Lamberton & Sorajjakool, 2004). The patient indicated that it is important that health care providers help the patient by providing a good environment for meditation. The patient also indicated that their faith does not restrict them from getting health care from health care providers from different faiths as long as they are willing to respect their culture. The patient indicated that they however prefer being taken care of by health care providers with similar spiritual beliefs since they can help them uphold their spiritual beliefs during the healing period. From the interview, it was noted that the Buddhism beliefs on healing and sickness have close similarities with Christian healing beliefs.

The second patient to be interviewed belonged to Jehovahs witness faith. The patient indicated that according to their religion they dont believe in faith healing. While patients may conduct prayers they only do it to seek comfort and endurance but not to seek healing. Some of the Jehovah witness beliefs that were noted during the interview include that blood transfusion prohibition. Receiving blood either from another person or stored or manufactured blood is not allowed according to their faith (Young, 2006). The patient also stated that despite it being possible for patients to undergo organ transplants, the health care providers should respect their decision.

The third interviewee was a Jewish patient. From the interview, it was noted that patients from the Jewish religion believe in faith healing. The Jewish religion teaches that healing is part of a divine will and no man has control over illness. However, the Jews also believe that they need to look for external ways through which they can be healed such as taking medications (Jaroff, 2004). In addition, it is against their culture for a doctor to predict if the patient will be healed or not. The patient stated that they believe that health care providers only have the right to healing and not predicting the future of a particular medical condition. The patient emphasized the need of seeking healing from Hashem.

From the three interviews, some of the most important ideas that health care providers should keep in mind when dealing with a patient from a different religious background were identified. Health care providers need to embrace faith diversion. In some cases, this will entail putting aside the practitioners beliefs and practices. Health care providers need to ensure they understand their patients religious perspectives for the patients to be able to identify with them. When conducting any medical procedure that may go against a patients belief the practitioner should ensure they consult the patient first. Spiritual beliefs and practices such as observing special religious days and taking special diets are some of the important things health care providers should take note of when caring for patients from a different religious background (Lamberton & Sorajjakool, 2004). From the interview, it was noted that when practitioners go against their beliefs in a health care setting it promotes unity and helps the patients in understanding the importance of working towards overcoming religious intolerance.

To a certain extent, the Jewish and Buddhism faith healing philosophies share some similarities with the Christian healing philosophy. However, the Jewish and Christian faith healing philosophy differ on who they believe has the power to heal (Young, 2006). The Jews believe Hashem has the power to heal while Christians believe they are healed through the blood of Jesus. In addition, the Christians believe the holy water has the power to heal a belief that the Jewish do not believe in. From the interview, it was also noted that most religions share similar beliefs about healing which include believing in supernatural healing and the importance of sharing the pain with the patient also referred to as compassionate spiritual care.

Religious beliefs and spirituality should be considered a significant part of a health care setting. From the interviews, I realized that understanding patients religious beliefs can play a key role in promoting understanding and respect within a health care setting. Even though spirituality health beliefs differ from one religion to the other, they to a certain degree have a similar understanding about healing especially psychological healing. In addition, spirituality beliefs help patients in coping with trauma and pain thus the reason practitioners need to identify with patients religious beliefs (Jaroff, 2004). Some health care practices such as organ transplant, blood transfusion, and euthanasia may have different interpretations among various faiths. Understanding religious beliefs can help a practitioner in understanding the reaction to expect from a patient when suggesting certain medical practices alternatives. It can thus be concluded that providing compassionate spiritual care to patients is a very important role for health care practitioners (Young, 2006).

References

Jaroff, L. (2004). Questioning healing prayer. Web.

Lamberton, H. & Sorajjakool, S. (2004). Spirituality, health and wholeness: An introductory Guide for Health care professionals. London: Routledge press.

Young, C. (2006). Spirituality, Health and healing. Boston: Jones & Bartlett learning publishers.

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