PHI-413V Ethical and Spiritual Decision Making in Health Care Papers

PHI-413V Ethical and Spiritual Decision Making in Health Care Papers

PHI-413V Topic 1 DQ 1

How can the perspective of Christian spirituality influence the way in which you demonstrate compassionate care?

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Initial discussion question posts should be a minimum of 200 words and include at least two references cited using APA format. Responses to peers or faculty should be 100-150 words and include one reference. Refer to the “Discussion Question Rubric” and “Participation Rubric,” located in Class Resources, to understand the expectations for initial discussion question posts and participation posts, respectively.

PHI-413V Topic 1 DQ 1 Example 1

Religious beliefs and influences have a heavy impact on care delivery as a nurse. Nurses and people as a whole are often influenced by their upbringing, values, religion, culture, and communities in which they are raised, which affects how they treat others, or in a nurse’s case, how they deliver care and treat their patients. (NIH, 2022).

Strong Christian influences that I personally think affect my care delivery to my patients and, in turn, affect my compassionate delivery of care are serving others, having high levels of compassion for those around me, and treating others with dignity and respect. These Christian values heavily influence my everyday care delivery to my patients. When I come to work, having general respect and compassion for others fuels me to do good for my patients and work hard to heal them, and it also influences their healing. 

Compassion is a core principle taught to us in the Christian faith, as Jesus was compassionate to those around him as he discipled, especially those who were suffering and ill. This can reflect in nursing care delivery as well. Showing compassion to patients who are sick and not in the best position directly exemplifies Jesus’ teachings of loving thy neighbor and treating others with compassion and respect. (AMA, n.d.). As both a nurse and a Christian, it is essential to remember the influence religion can have on patient care delivery and patient outcomes, and recognizing this can lead to higher patient satisfaction, healing, and job satisfaction. 

References 

AMA. (n.d.). Incorporating spirituality into healthcare delivery and patient care. AMA Journal of Ethics. https://journalofethics.ama-assn.org/article/incorporating-spirituality-patient-care/2015-05#:~:text=Compassion.,them%20and%20not%20abandon%20them.

National Institutes of Health. (2022). Cultural religious competence in healthcare. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK493216/

PHI-413V Topic 1 DQ 1 Example 2

The article “Influence of spirituality and religion on critical care nursing” by Badanta et al. (2022) highlights how understanding a patient’s spiritual or religious beliefs can deepen healthcare professionals’ awareness of their motivations. Spirituality and religion often play a significant role in shaping behaviors, both for patients and providers. Recognizing the spiritual or religious moral foundations that influence care-seeking decisions, from end-of-life choices to contraception, is vital for delivering holistic, patient-centered care (Shelly et al., 2021).

From a Christian perspective, each patient is seen as a child of God, deserving of understanding and compassion that reflects a Christ-like approach (Badanta et al., 2022). A Christian nurse believes that nature itself can reveal the presence of God, sometimes through words but often through silent, meaningful actions (Pfeiffer, 2018). By using language that encourages patients to take an active role in their healing journey, nurses can embody the invisible love of God, fostering relationships built on shared responsibility and mutual accountability (Shelly et al., 2021).

For example, a nurse dedicated to Christian care understands that actions often speak louder than words. By listening closely to what matters most to the patient, the nurse gains insight into their physical and spiritual state. From a Christian viewpoint, this demonstrates that God is present, attentive, and deeply invested in the patient’s well-being, even if the patient is not yet ready to fully engage in their healing process at that moment (Badanta et al., 2022). This approach emphasizes the importance of meeting patients where they are and offering care that is both compassionate and spiritually attuned. By integrating these principles, nurses can create a healing environment that respects patients’ beliefs while fostering trust and partnership in their care journey (Shelly et al., 2021).

References

Badanta, B., Rivilla‐García, E., Lucchetti, G., & de Diego‐Cordero, R. (2022). The influence of spirituality and religion on critical care nursing: An integrative review. Nursing in Critical Care, 27(3), 348-366. https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1111/nicc.12645

Shelly, J. A., Miller, A. B., & Fenstermacher, K. H. (2021). Called to care: A Christian vision for nursing. InterVarsity Press. https://books.google.com/books?hl=en&lr=&id=67QSEAAAQBAJ&oi=fnd&pg=PP9&dq=Strategies+Christian+nurses+use+to+create+a+healing+environment&ots=-rGqONToYQ&sig=z1OxAKWhmUdxAgXoCbBSrqUnkiw

PHI 413V Topic 1 DQ 2 

From the perspective of Christian spirituality and ethics, what is your understanding of compassionate caring that informs your approach to health and healing?

Initial discussion question posts should be a minimum of 200 words and include at least two references cited using APA format. Responses to peers or faculty should be 100-150 words and include one reference. Refer to the “Discussion Question Rubric” and “Participation Rubric,” located in Class Resources, to understand the expectations for initial discussion question posts and participation posts, respectively.

American Association of Colleges of Nursing Core Competencies for Professional Nursing Education
This assignment aligns with the AACN Core Competency: 9.2

PHI 413V Topic 1 DQ 2 Example 1

Compassionate caring, from the perspective of Christian spirituality and ethics, is rooted in the belief that all individuals are made in the image of God and deserve dignity, respect, and love. This perspective informs my approach to health and healing by emphasizing selfless service, empathy, and the holistic well-being of each person. Christian spirituality teaches that caring for others is a reflection of Christ’s love (Bradford, 2023). The biblical mandate in Matthew 25:40, where Jesus states, “Whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me,” underscores the call to serve with compassion. This means seeing each patient not just as a diagnosis but as a person with physical, emotional, and spiritual needs.

Ethically, compassionate caring aligns with principles of justice, beneficence, and nonmaleficence. Justice calls for equitable treatment of all patients, regardless of their background or circumstances. Beneficence requires actions that promote the well-being of others, and nonmaleficence ensures that harm is minimized. Christian ethics further emphasize humility, integrity, and accountability in patient care, ensuring that decisions are made with honesty and a commitment to the patient’s best interest.

In practice, compassionate caring means listening actively, advocating for vulnerable populations, and providing comfort to those who are suffering. It also means recognizing the interconnectedness of physical, mental, and spiritual health, offering holistic care that acknowledges a patient’s faith and values (Cota et al., 2024). Healing, from this perspective, is not solely about curing disease but also about restoring hope and dignity. Whether through prayer, presence, or medical intervention, compassionate caring embodies love in action.

References

Bradford, K. L. (2023). The nature of religious and spiritual needs in palliative care patients, carers, and families and how they can be addressed from a specialist spiritual care perspective. Religions, 14(1), 125. https://doi.org/10.3390/rel14010125

Cota, M., Jr., & de la Torre, V. (Eds.). (2024). Practicing dignity: An introduction to Christian values and decision-making in health care (3rd ed.). Grand Canyon University.

PHI 413V Topic 1 DQ 2 Example 2

Compassionate Caring Through a Christian Ethical Lens

Compassionate caring, from the perspective of Christian spirituality and ethics, is deeply rooted in the belief that every human being possesses inherent dignity and worth. This perspective informs an approach to health and healing that prioritizes holistic care, selfless service, and a commitment to alleviating suffering. Christian spirituality calls for a model of care that not only addresses physical illness but also nurtures emotional and spiritual well-being, recognizing that healing extends beyond the body.

A central tenet of compassionate caring in Christian ethics is the understanding that all people are created in the image of God. This belief shapes how healthcare providers engage with patients, ensuring that every person—regardless of their circumstances—is treated with respect and kindness. Bogue and Hogan (2020) emphasize the importance of upholding dignity in healthcare settings, particularly when working with vulnerable populations. This means taking the time to listen, providing care with patience, and treating each individual as more than just a medical case. For example, when working with patients facing chronic illness, a spiritually informed approach would involve not only managing symptoms but also addressing feelings of fear, grief, and uncertainty.

Christian spirituality also encourages caregivers to embody Christ-like love in their interactions. The Gospel in Matthew 25:40 emphasizes serving others with humility and compassion where Jesus teaches that caring for those in need is akin to serving Him (Bible Gateway, 2011). In a healthcare setting, this might manifest in simple yet profound ways, such as offering a reassuring presence to a frightened patient, advocating for those who cannot speak for themselves, or ensuring that end-of-life care respects the emotional and spiritual needs of both patients and their families. Compassionate caring in this sense is not just about medical interventions—it is about being fully present and engaged in the healing journey of each patient.

Additionally, the Christian ethical framework informs a caregiver’s responsibility to act with integrity and justice. The principles of beneficence and nonmaleficence—doing good and avoiding harm—are central to Christian bioethics (Varkey, 2020). Healthcare professionals are called to provide care that enhances well-being while also protecting the vulnerable. This might involve difficult ethical decisions, such as balancing patient autonomy with medical recommendations or navigating moral dilemmas in end-of-life care. A spiritually guided approach ensures that such decisions are made with compassion, wisdom, and a deep respect for human life.

Ultimately, compassionate caring in Christian spirituality and ethics is about honoring the whole person—body, mind, and spirit. It calls for a practice of healthcare that is rooted in love, dignity, and service, ensuring that patients not only receive treatment but also experience a sense of peace, hope, and human connection throughout their healing process.

References

Bible Gateway. (2011). Matthew 25:40 NIV – – bible gateway. Www.biblegateway.com. https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew%2025%3A40&version=NIV

Bogue, D., & Hogan, M. (2020). Practicing dignity: An introduction to christian values and decision making in health care. Lc.gcumedia.com. https://lc.gcumedia.com/phi413v/practicing-dignity-an-introduction-to-christian-values-and-decision-making-in-health-care/v1.1/#/chapter/1

Varkey, B. (2020). Principles of clinical ethics and their application to practice. Medical Principles and Practice, 30(1), 17–28. https://doi.org/10.1159/000509119

PHI 413V Topic 1 DQ 2 Example 3

It’s fascinating to see how deeply religion and spirituality can influence a patient’s health and overall well-being. Holistic care reminds us that humans are multidimensional beings physical, psychological, social, and spiritual, and addressing spiritual needs is just as crucial as treating physical ailments (Sulmasy, 2024). Everyone has spiritual needs, whether they’re healthy or facing illness. Spiritual care is all about empowering individuals through meaningful interventions: helping them cope with stress, offering counseling, interpreting life events, and providing a listening ear or belief support. At its core, spiritual care begins with compassion and connection (Guo et al., 2024).

For nurses, this means building safe, trusting relationships with patients, showing empathy, and truly listening to their concerns and values. It also involves understanding how a patient’s religious beliefs shape their perception of illness and supporting those beliefs in a way that feels authentic to them (Guo et al., 2024). These small but powerful acts of compassion can work wonders boosting patient satisfaction, speeding up recovery, and even reducing hospital stays and treatment costs. Scholars emphasize that spiritual nursing care is about nurturing the human spirit through meaningful connections, fostering a sense of interconnectedness between nurse and patient to promote spiritual health (Sulmasy, 2024).

A great example of this comes from a study on neonatal nurses, who actively engaged in spiritual care practices for parents with identified spiritual needs. Nearly 88% of the nurses in the study paid close attention to what was sacred to parents, whether it was religious items like rosary beads, crosses, or inspirational texts, or even symbolic objects like a red string on a baby’s wrist (Sulmasy, 2024). These thoughtful gestures show how spiritual care can be woven into everyday nursing practice, creating a healing environment that honors the whole person body, mind, and spirit. It’s a beautiful reminder that sometimes, the smallest acts of compassion can have the biggest impact (Guo et al., 2024).

References

Guo, W., Liu, X., Zhang, Y., Chen, R., Qi, W., Deng, J., & Cui, J. (2024). Competence and perceptions of spiritual care among clinical nurses: A multicentre cross‐sectional study. Journal of Clinical Nursing, 33(4), 1432-1443. https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1111/jocn.16932

Sulmasy, D. P. (2024). Physicians, spirituality, and compassionate patient care. New England Journal of Medicine, 390(12), 1061-1063. https://spiritualityandhealth.duke.edu/files/2024/03/CSTH-Newsletter_April_2024.pdf

PHI 413V Topic 1 Worldview Analysis and Personal Inventory

This assignment will introduce you to the concept of worldview. It will also provide you with a fundamental understanding of Christian spirituality that looks to the union of body, mind, soul, and spirit, along with how those beliefs inform a unique ethical awareness and decision-making in professional practice. In addition, you will gain knowledge about your own personal beliefs, according to your own worldview.

After reading topic Resources, you will complete the “Worldview Analysis and Personal Inventory” document, which includes prompts related to the following:

• Christian perspective of the nature of spirituality and ethics
• Scientism and two of the main arguments against it
• Ultimate reality
• Nature (origin) of the universe
• What it means to be a human being and purpose in your existence
• What knowledge is and sources of knowledge
• Ethics and where the knowledge of right and wrong comes from
• Purpose of human life and existence
• Influence of personal worldview values in decision-making within current or future professional practice

Support your response using only Chapter 1 from the textbook Practicing Dignity: An Introduction to Christian Values and Decision-Making in Health Care and two other Topic 1 Resources.  

While APA style is not required for the body of this assignment, solid academic writing is expected, and documentation of sources should be presented using APA formatting guidelines, which can be found in the APA Style Guide, located in the Student Success Center.

This assignment uses a rubric. Please review the rubric prior to beginning the assignment to become familiar with the expectations for successful completion.

You are required to submit this assignment to LopesWrite. A link to the LopesWrite technical support articles is located in Class Resources if you need assistance.

PHI 413 Topic 2 DQ 1

How can the Christian concept of the imago Dei inform a holistic perspective of the patient within their family and community?

Initial discussion question posts should be a minimum of 200 words and include at least two references cited using APA format. Responses to peers or faculty should be 100-150 words and include one reference. Refer to “Discussion Question Rubric” and “Participation Rubric,” located in Class Resources, to understand the expectations for initial discussion question posts and participation posts, respectively.

American Association of Colleges of Nursing Core Competencies for Professional Nursing Education
This assignment aligns with AACN Core Competencies: 2.3