Christian And Christina Vision, Issues That Are Pressing In Case

Case Study: Healing and Autonomy
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Introduction
As a medical practitioner, it is important to understand patients' spirituality because their spiritual beliefs play an influential role in making treatment decisions, especially in critical situations. In most cases, patients with strong Christian backgrounds are likely to be caught up in an ethical dilemma; they are forced to choose between their medical condition and their faith. The case study is a good example that highlights the many challenges facing Christians in the modern world. The problem addressed in the case study is about the many situations faced by Christians that seems to be challenging their beliefs.
Some of the Christian narrative and Christina vision and issues that are pressing in the case study.
Joanne and Mike are yet to decide whether to accept the doctors' recommendation or believe in God to heal their son. James parents have the obligation to ensure that their son recovers. Joanne and Mike are Christians, who believe in God as the true healer. James parents are torn between their religion and their son's well-being. James was admitted at the hospital suffering from a strep infection, and the infection has affected his kidneys. James needs immediate medical attention.
Acute glomerulonephritis that usually causes strep infection is a condition which can be managed by medication, but James' medical condition is different. James has an elevated blood pressure with build-up fluids; he requires dialysis on a regular basis to relieve him of the pain. James parents are caught up in a dilemma because of one of the recent sermons in church. They were inspired by one of their close friends who testified to have regained mobility after suffering from a serious stroke during one of the healing services.
Joanne and Mike believe that by praying and trusting in God, their son will be healed. Furthermore, Mike wonders if God is putting their faith to test or just punishing them for not having enough faith. This explains why Mike is caught up in the dilemma of whether to accept the doctor's recommendations of putting James under treatment or following God's will (Rae, 2009). James parents are required to make a decision that will ensure that their son recovers, however, one of the most pertinent issues in this case study is the principle of beneficence.
Beneficence explains the role of James parents and their obligation towards his treatment. According to law, Mike and Joanne have the obligation to review their son's condition and select the possible benefit that will cause minimal harm (Beauchamp and DeGrazia, 2004). The doctor has the obligation to inform Mike and Joanne of all the available options and the possible risks for them to make an informed decision (Beauchamp and DeGrazia, 2004).
The principle of beneficence is applied by the doctor when exercising his duty when he presents all the important facts as to why James has to undergo dialysis. The doctor informs them what needs to be done to save James. At the same time, the doctor is aware of the concept of respect for autonomy (Beauchamp and DeGrazia, 2004). Respecting patients' spirituality is part of exercising patient autonomy.
In situations where the patient believes in spiritual healing and prefers not to undergo treatment, the doctor has the right to respect the patient's decision as required by this principle (Beauchamp and DeGrazia, 2004). The process of healing can be misinterpreted, the fact that Christians believe in God does not mean that they have to wait for God instead of acting. James condition requires immediate action to save him, the best decision would be to accept their son to undergo treatment but have faith in God to heal him.
Should the physician allow Mike to continue making decisions that seem to him to be irrational and harmful to James?
As indicated in the case study, James had a strep throat infection that affected his kidneys, he needed immediate treatment. Although acute glomerulonephritis that causes strep infection is manageable even without medication, in some cases, patients need to take medication. James condition is complicated because of his kidney failure, which makes him eligible for immediate treatment (Rae, 2009). The doctor made the right decision not to go by Mike's irrational decision. In any situation where a patient’s life is threatened because of an unreasonable decision, health care providers should take the necessary steps to avoid any further harm (Beauchamp and DeGrazia, 2004).
According to the Christian narrative and the discussion of the issues of treatment refusal, patient autonomy, and organ donation, how might one analyze this case?
Christians have different interpretations of sickness; most Christians view sickness as part of God's plan to reveal his powers. Christians know God to be loving and caring and always ready to help those who seek for his guidance. According to the Christian worldview, the world had no sickness when it was created by God; however, sickness entered the world because humans did not obey God (Wolterstorff, 1994).
Rejecting God's rule resulted in a break in Sh...