Health Care Provider and Faith Diversity
The practice of health care providers at all levels brings you into contact with people of a variety of faiths. This calls for acceptance of a diversity of faith expressions. Research three diverse faiths. Choose faiths that are less well-known than mainstream faiths or are less known to you, such as Sikh, Bahai, Buddhism, Shintoism, Native American spirituality, etc. Compare the philosophy of providing care from the perspective of each of these three faiths with that of the Christian perspective and your own personal perspective. In 1,250 -1500 words, summarize your findings, and compare and contrast the different belief systems, reinforcing major themes with insights gained from your research. Some of the questions to consider when researching the chosen religions are: 1. What is the spiritual perspective on healing? 2. What are the critical components of healing, such as prayer, meditation, belief, etc.? 3. What is important to people of a particular faith when cared for by health care providers whose spiritual beliefs differ from their own? 4. How do patients view health care providers who are able to let go of their own beliefs in the interest of the beliefs and practices of the patient? Compare these beliefs to the Christian philosophy of faith and healing. In your conclusion, describe what you have learned from your research and how this learning can be applied to a health care provider practice. Prepare this assignment according to the APA guidelines found in the APA Style Guide, located in the Student Success Center. An abstract is required.
Faith diversity in health care
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Introduction
Health care professionals usually work in environments filled with patients from different and distinct cultures and different races who have unique beliefs and religious practices. For decades, researchers have found a connection between the general view of healthcare in patients and their spirituality.
Religious customs are usually complex and sometimes it is almost impossible to predict how different people understand and apply the principles where healthcare is in context. Therefore, healthcare providers should encourage patients to explain how cultural or religious beliefs impact issues of medical care and personal needs, socialization with other people and the decisions they make regarding the same. It is therefore imperative for health care professionals to understand other people’s positions regarding health care beliefs. This paper addresses limitations surrounding healthcare provision in respect to three religions; Orthodox Judaism, Buddhism, and Scientology, in comparison to Christian and personal beliefs.
Buddhism
Of the world’s population, Buddhist population is roughly 20 percent. Buddhism is different from other religions in that Buddhists, do not believe in an all-knowing deity. Rather they believe in the teachings the Buddha called Dhama. They also do not have a written scripture that outlines what they should follow. The major goal Buddhism is the growth of mind to its full potential, which involves wisdom and perfection. Developing an empathetic psyche and functioning in illness and death as the ultimate way of removing suffering is a goal towards spiritual well being. Human birth in Buddhism is seen as a start of a very important chance. The birth of human being is seen as a unique and an opportunity that is rare for full growth of mind.
In Buddhism, conception is when consciousness gets in a fertilized egg. This is the beginning of life and if the life of that foetus is terminated, it is considered killing a person. Controlling birth through methods that prevent conception is allowed. In Buddhism, women are regarded as more important than men because of their primary role of rising and taking care of children. Special kindness is shown towards sick mothers even though men are also treated as equal to women. Abortions are viewed as killing of a human to be and a direct breach of their oath to never kill another sentient being (Harvey, C., 2006).
Buddhists are mainly vegetarians and are recommended to fast during full moons and new moons only if their body is able. Due to their belief to refrain taking any drug, many Buddhists refrain from the use of prescription medication but are not opposed to it when medically required, or if there is no herbal alternative available. Buddhists hold no reservation in regards to the religious or personal beliefs of the healthcare professional who treats them. This is due to the belief that all medicine, like the teachings of Buddha should be administered to patients in order to alleviate suffering (Bhikkhu, M., n.d.).
Scientology
This religion is similar to Judaism and Christianity, Scientologists believes in a deity, called the Supreme Being. However, the members of the church do not have set instructions that they follow even though they are encouraged to apply the teachings to their lives and determine their effectiveness, rather than having full faith in the teachings alone. Scientologists believe in eight dynamics, which can be summarized as; survival of self, creativity, group survival, survival of the species, survival of all life forms, survival of the universe, and lastly the urge towards existence as infinity, or God (Scientology.org). Scientologists do not have a problem with prescription of drugs when one has physical illness and they rely on the instructions given by a medical practitioner. They are however aversive towards street drugs that might alter how the mind operates. They consider them detrimental to human health and may cause physical, mental and spiritual damage because they decrease ones consciousness and hinder ones abilities. Scientologists are very particular in certain aspects of health, which must be taken into consideration by the healthcare professional that is treating them. Defiance of these beliefs can lead to exile in the form of revocation of church membership.
For example, scientologists believe that the modern woman is exposed to harmful environmental factors, which affect her body’s ability to produce adequate breast milk. Due to this, the church recommends an alternative formula, which consists of; 15oz of barely water, 10oz of homogenized milk, and 3oz of corn syrup, or 2oz honey in exchange for the corn syrup. This formula is believed to contain the appropriate amount of nutrients and should be consumed by all children until the age of 2 Scientologists, like Buddhists, refrain from the use of any drug ...