PHI-413V – From the perspective of Christian spirituality and ethics, what is your understanding of compassionate caring that informs your approach to health and healing?
PHI-413V – From the perspective of Christian spirituality and ethics, what is your understanding of compassionate caring that informs your approach to health and healing?
The Christian faith emphasizes the importance of showing compassion and caring for others, recognizing the value and dignity of each individual. This belief allows Christians to treat all individuals with respect and provide compassionate care to their patients. To me, compassionate care means providing healthcare to patients who respect their own person and value them as patients (Su et al., 2020). Valuing the patient also means that I value their ability to make personal decisions regarding healthcare, and I will respect their personal choices even if I do not agree. To provide compassionate care in healthcare, providers should focus on providing professional and ethical healthcare that focuses on the patient while communicating openly with them. Communicating with patients provides an empathetic approach to healthcare that shows a level of care and support.
Compassionate care is how we act during patient interactions. When providing care, we should act positively and respectfully to patients (Vogus et al., 2021). Care should also be focused on making the patient physically and emotionally more comfortable. Providing compassionate care to our patients can significantly improve the quality of care we provide. Moreso, the Christian faith calls for healthcare providers to see each patient as a unique individual and not just a collection of medical symptoms. This means taking the time to listen to and understand their concerns, fears, and needs. It also means providing holistic care that takes into account not just their physical health, but also their mental, emotional, and spiritual well-being. By approaching healthcare in this way, we can offer a more personalized and compassionate level of care that not only treats the illness but also uplifts the spirit of the patient.
References
Su, J. J., Masika, G. M., Paguio, J. T., & Redding, S. R. (2020). Defining compassionate nursing care. Nursing Ethics, 27(2), 480-493.
Vogus, T. J., McClelland, L. E., Lee, Y. S., McFadden, K. L., & Hu, X. (2021). Creating a compassion system to achieve efficiency and quality in health care delivery. Journal of Service Management, 32(4), 560-580.
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Compassion comes from not just christian spirituality and ethics based on your religion, but also your compassion towards living things. My understanding of compassionate caring is making sure we show love and empathy towards one another, respect and selflessness. By having these values that the christian bible shows you can demonstrate compassion by, active listening, showing emotional support, advocating for your patients rights and being there for the patient and not just another patient on the floor for you.
Spiritual care is one of the important and essential aspects of healthcare. The impact of spirituality on healing, health-related states, and the ability to cope and adapt to the disease is undeniable. Thus, this study is aimed to explain the perception of the spiritual care of patients by health-care providers (Tehran et al., 2021, p. xx).
Not only do we have to show compassion to the patients but also the family, we need to understand what is their level of understanding the disease process and continue to reassure and educate when needed PHI-413V – From the perspective of Christian spirituality and ethics, what is your understanding of compassionate caring that informs your approach to health and healing?
Meeting the patients spiritual needs is part of treating the patient as a whole. Holistic care approach can comfort the patient and family by demonstrating that we are there to assist and make that patient our priority.
Relationship between compassion and spiritual care among nurses in Turkey. (n.d.). PubMed Central (PMC). https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8144689/
Tehran, H., Khalajinia, Z., & Heidari, A. (2021). Explaining the perception of spiritual care from the perspective of health personnel: A qualitative study. Journal of Education and Health Promotion, 10(1), 53. https://doi.org/10.4103/jehp.jehp_599_20
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The word compassion is derived from the Latin words, “Pati and Cum” which put together means “to suffer with.” Compassionate care means taking the time to sit with someone in their most crucial times of ill health and despair. Making patients know that they matter and that you are there to help heal them, not only through medicine and physical health but by truly listening to them and meeting their needs in emotional and spiritual ways also( Jones, 2023).
Christian spirituality and ethics can mean a lot of things, for instance, being hospitable, like Jesus was, with everyone he encountered. Being hospitable means “being a lover of strangers, having brotherly affection for unknown guests, foreigners, the poor and all others, who come your way of Christ’s body” (Jones, 2023). At times in my nursing practice, I can get annoyed with extra work or disturbances in my day (because, I’m human). At times I may have a non-English speaking patient and sigh because I know I am going to have to spend double of my time to care for this patient using a translator iPad, and on top of that I have 3-4 other patients. Having affection toward foreigners is a strong reminder and ethic that contributes to health and healing. I try to remember if my parents were traveling abroad and one of them got sick and didn’t know the native language, that my hope is a nurse in another country would take care of my parents in the same way I should be taking care of my patients. By treating each patient the same and going above and beyond to understand them and communicate to promote their health and healing.
The four main concepts of ethics are, autonomy, beneficence, non maleficence, and justice. Autonomy is “the right to self-determination. Autonomy in nursing means providing adequate information to allow patients to make their own decisions based on their beliefs and values, even if they aren’t the ones the nurse chooses” (ANA, 2023). Christian scripture that is supporting of this is, “Humanity given free choice between right or wrong/good or evil” (Genesis 2:16–17, 3:1–7). Beneficence is the promotion of virtues. Beneficence in nursing relates to guaranteeing that the patient’s best interest is carried out, regardless of the nurse’s opinion (ANA, 2023). Christian spirituality that supports beneficence is described as, “in all things, love and do good to self and others” (Matthew 22:36–40; Mark 12:28-31; Luke 10:25–28). Justice is another ethic which is, fairness. “Justice in nursing relates to impartiality regarding a patient’s age, ethnicity, economic status, religion, or sexual orientation” (ANA, 2023).An example of Christian spirituality related to justice are “Respect other’s rights and dignity (Colossians 3:25; 1 Peter 2:17) Love your enemies” (Matthew 5:43–48). Non maleficence related to nursing is doing no harm. “Requires the provision of safe, effective, high-quality care” (ANA, 2023). A Christian bible verse to support this is, “Live in peace and harmony with others” (1 Timothy 2:2–3). Overall ethics in nursing can be supported by various thought concepts, values and religions, but there are deep roots in Christian spirituality that supports compassionate care and healing in patients.
References
ANA, (2023). Why Ethics in Nursing Matters.
https://www.nursingworld.org/content-hub/resources/workplace/why-ethics-in-nursing-matters/
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, 288-292.
Jones, R. S. (2023). Hospice Chaplain: Called to compassionate care. The Priest, 79(11), 14–17.
PHI-413V – From the perspective of Christian spirituality and ethics, what is your understanding of compassionate caring that informs your approach to health and healing?
