Healthcare Providers and Various Beliefs About Healing and Faith
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.
This assignment uses a grading rubric. Instructors will be using the rubric to grade the assignment; therefore, students should review the rubric prior to beginning the assignment to become familiar with the assignment criteria and expectations for successful completion of the assignment.
Prepare this assignment according to the APA guidelines found in the APA Style Guide, located in the Student Success Center. An abstract is required.
Remember that Wikipedia is not considered a scholarly source.
rubric
Demonstrates integrative comprehension and thoughtful application of concepts surrounding spiritual diversity and circumstances involving application in real-world situations. Presentation of material and components includes expanded and unique perspective relative to similarities and differences of practices across various religions.
Coverage extends beyond what is needed to support subject matter
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Abstract
Healthcare is not only confined to addressing physical aspects of care. It is increasingly incorporating cultural and spiritual aspects in the care process to improve health outcomes. The healthcare experience in a culturally diverse healthcare system requires practitioners to be aware of the different religious beliefs about faith and healing. This information is important in ensuring that patients receive personalized and culturally competent care. It facilitates comfort and speedy recovery. Sikhs, Buddhists and persons practicing Native American Spirituality have varied beliefs about healing and faith. This paper outlines these beliefs and shows that there is a need for caregivers to be aware of their beliefs to provide quality and culturally competent care.
Buddhism
Buddhists believe that sickness is a clouding of the mind similar to the clouds that block the sun’s rays. They believe that the mind creates sickness and it can also create health. They also believe that sickness is temporal and is removable from the mind. They believe that their actions lead to sickness and for healing to occur they must purify their mind which is achieved through encouraging positive thoughts. They rid their minds of selfishness and pride which results in unhappiness and lack of peace (Hawter, 1995).
Buddhists engage in meditation, prayer and chanting as important components of healing. They pray in a low tone or quietly but some chant aloud. They also use a form of a beaded necklace in prayer and view a picture of Buddha as they pray. They may also request to be allowed to burn incense during prayer. Many hospitals suggest that they place scented flowers and use tiny electric lamps instead of burning incense and lighting candles (Ehman, 2012).
In Buddhism, it is important that patients receive care from members of the same sex in accordance to their beliefs on modesty. Buddhists also express food preferences where some consume entirely vegetarian meals devoid of any animal byproducts. They also prefer quiet surroundings, which they believe, promotes mindfulness. They regard a quiet environment for a patient as important because it allows for meditation, which aids the recovery process (Harvey, 2006). Buddhists believe that clarity of mind is very essential for meditation which leaders them to be apprehensive about analgesics claiming that their elements clouds ones perception of reality. They prefer that health practitioners discuss with them before administering medication that affects awareness. Most Buddhists prefer using non-pharmacological pain relief strategies because of their desire to remain mentally alert.
Native American Spirituality
Native Americans view healing from the perspective of maintaining a harmonious atmosphere between the atmosphere and nature. They hold ones spirit as very important in maintaining harmony in the nature and atmosphere forces. Spiritual harmony is very important for healing to occur and this is why they consult medicine men and women to care for their spirits after seeking medical attention for their diseases (Metropolitan Chicago Healthcare Council, 2004).
Native Americans consult natural healing forms from Native healers. Different Native Americans attribute sicknesses to different reasons such as ancestral spirits, improper hunting practices, unfulfilled personal desires, and evil spirits among others. Native healers call out for the natural forces of the earth through prayer. The earths’ forces restore the patients’ balance and harmony (Metropolitan Chicago Healthcare Council, 2004).
Native American spirituality requires that health practitioners adhere to their modesty practices such as refraining body exposure and only designating patients to caregivers of similar sex. They also value family and prefer that health care practitioners treat all members with respect and avoid hugging. Instead, they must wait for the patient to initiate a gentle handshake. Fasting is also rife in Native American spirituality where it is considered as a detoxification method that may aid in healing. They also prefer use of traditional foods in special diets (Shi & Singh, 2011).
They also prefer that health practitioners refrain from tampering with their ritualistic items such as feathers and pouches, which they consider sacred. Patients often cite fears of addiction to pain management drugs and are hesitant to take them citing that their creator has the power to heal. Patients in palliative care often request traditional foods and prayer in preparation for their death. It is also important for health practitioners to seek permission before undertaking x-rays and other imaging procedures as well as seek their preferences for disposing amputated body parts to ensure it conforms to their traditions (Metropolitan Chicago Healthcare Council, 2004).
Sikhism
Sikhs believe that God is the healer and they pray for ...