Running head: HEALTH CARE 1

Health Care

Name

Institution
 HEALTH CARE 2

Introduction

The diversity associated with faith beliefs has become a critical factor among health care

providers mainly due to the increased recognition of a patient-centered care approach. This is

also based on the fact that health care providers are expected to concentrate on the recovery of

the body and the nourishment of the mind and the spirit. Knowledge of diverse health

expressions is therefore critical because a patient’s hope to recover could be dependent on these

faith traditions.

Addressing the Worldview Questions

This paper focuses on a comparative analysis of Christianity and Buddhism and the faith

philosophies that relate with both religions with regard to providing health care. Major themes

touch on the personal needs of the patient, decision making, and interaction. Based on the

Christian perspective, Christians believe in praying for the sick. They also have a strong belief in

miraculous healing hence the possibility of praying continuously (Ehman, 2012). They do not

have strict dietary restrictions though alcohol is prohibited. Meat may also be avoided during the

period of Lent. Some patients may develop an attachment to religious objects such crucifix.

These objects are used when praying (Ehman, 2012). If the patient is about to died, religious

people may be called to pray for the ailing patient.

In relation to the Buddhism faith, it is important to note that this faith considers

mindfulness to be an important aspect that perfects wisdom and compassion. It is the reason why

meditation is considered to be crucial. Buddhists believe that an individual should be healthy

because it is the only way through which they can practice compassion and develop the mind.

Like Christians, Buddhists consider death to be extremely important (Ehman, 2012). Death is
 HEALTH CARE 3

accompanied by practices that are aimed at providing peace to the dying person. There is concern

regarding the disturbance of a dead body since they believe that the spirit does not leave the body

immediately after death. Buddhists engage in devotions which include praying and meditation

(Bhikshu, n.d). Maintaining a peaceful atmosphere for sick people is considered important.

Moreover, maintaining a caring and positive attitude when interacting with patients is

encouraged. Since they attach great importance to an alert mind, life support machines are not

considered to be helpful (Ehman, 2012).

Implication of beliefs for Health Care

The implication of these faith beliefs for health care is that they impacts on a number of

factors such as decision making. Health providers make health care decisions based on the

expectations of the patient. When terminally ill patients are suffering physically, they experience

mental and spiritual suffering. Decisions concerning the mental, physical, and spiritual wellbeing

of the patient are therefore dependent on the collective effort of both the patient and the care

provider (McCormick & Min, 2014). This collective approach promotes patient-centred care by

providing the most reasonable health options. It further helps them to come up with an effective

care plan. In the long run it determines how well a patient heals or how smoothly they transition

to the afterlife (McCormick & Min, 2014). The involvement of patients in the co-designing of

care leads to quality health care.

These beliefs also enhance compliance hence making health care goals more achievable.

When providers adhere to the faith beliefs of patients, the patients feel respected. As a result,

they comply with medical requirements hence leading to more positive outcomes in the

treatment process. Compliance translates to accepting medication, therapy and counselling.

 HEALTH CARE 4

Compliance is further achieved through respectful communication between the patient and the

care provider. The provider gets to understand the expectations of the patient hence offering

treatment alternatives that are most satisfying to the patient. Patient satisfaction further

encourages the patients to actively get involved in the treatment and recovery processes

(McCormick & Min, 2014). This in turn leads to an efficient health care system.

Another implication is that the beliefs play an important role in terms of coping and

recovery. Both factors are very crucial to health care. With regard to coping, patients are able to

develop a positive attitude towards their situation. They also experience a fulfilment towards life.

With reference to recovery, it leads to better health outcomes. When this is realized other

members of the society are encouraged to embrace various forms of health care. The impact of

this is that care becomes acceptable and accessible to all hence allowing for the smooth

implementation of health care reforms.

Common Components to All Religions With Regard to Healing

All religions acknowledge sickness and human suffering as factors that disconnect people

from the real world. Christians and Buddhists believe that in life, every human being is bound to

suffer. The ultimate goal of faith beliefs therefore is to regain this connection. This is achieved

through a healing process that entails the inclusion of aspects such as prayer, meditation, beliefs,

rituals, and communal activities, among others. All religions encourage members to take up the

responsibility of supporting one another in the healing process through these activities.

Regardless of the faith that one belongs to, all religions believe that divine intervention is

necessary for healing to take place. This intervention is achieved through prayer and a strong

reliance in a supreme being (Puchalski, 2001). This is also referred to as faith healing. For
 HEALTH CARE 5

Christians, they rely on God and the teachings of the Bible while Buddhists rely on the teachings

of Buddha.

Different forms of meditation are also encouraged among the religions. Through

meditation, patients are encouraged to switch their minds into a certain mode of consciousness in

order to improve their spiritual and physical wellbeing. Though various techniques are used, the

goal of spiritual nourishment cuts across all religions. Christians often meditate through prayer

so as to experience the existence of the Holy Spirit while Buddhists meditate using the

techniques of concentration, mindfulness, and insight (Puchalski, 2001).

All religions also have a set of beliefs that they rely on to help patients to go through the

healing process. The beliefs also explain why an individual is ill, why they are not able to

recover and people who should be involved in the recovery process. Going against these beliefs

is often assumed to bring dire consequences (Giger & Davidhizar, 2004). Christians believe that

healing can be acquired through prayer and that hopelessness could lead to more problems. On

the other hand, Buddhists believe in the application of certain spiritual practices to initiate

healing. Moreover, all religions engage in a wide range of rituals to bring healing to an ailing

person. The acts are not carried out by anyone rather by specific men and women who are

entrusted by society to perform the rituals. Whereas Christians practice the laying of hands

Buddhists chant healing and blessings.

Finally, members of the faiths who are not sick take part in communal activities that are

aimed at cleansing and bestowing healing upon the sick person. The activities mainly involve

family members or members of a similar faith. For both Christians and Buddhists the activities

involve caring, comforting, sharing, and sympathising with the sick as well as praying for them.
 HEALTH CARE 6

Health Care Providers with Different Spiritual Beliefs

For health care providers whose spiritual beliefs differ from those of patients, it is

important that the care providers understand the preferences of patients. Care providers should

ask questions concerning their religious preferences and use the information to develop

appropriate health plans. This is very important to the patients since it develops a link of

effective communication. Making assumptions without clarification is uncalled for because

besides religious beliefs that the care providers may be conversant with, some patients have

personal modified beliefs (Putsch & Joyce, 1990). Treatment and dietary needs should be

provided in according the patient’s expectations. This will ensure that the care that is being

provided is religiously sensitive.

It is also important to them that care givers keep all information confidential. This will

protect the patient form the opposing views of friends and family. This information includes the

medical condition of the patient as well as their beliefs concerning the sickness. The patients will

also consider it important that care givers allow them to consult their personal clergy if need

arises. Buddhists may seek guidance from a monk while Christians may need to consult with a

pastor.

At some point especially at the point of death, patients may demand privacy. It will be

important for care providers to show respect during this time. At this moment, Christians may

pray loudly while Buddhists may chant out loud. Providing privacy and avoiding interruption can

go a long way in enhancing respect between both parties (Putsch & Joyce, 1990).
 HEALTH CARE 7

Conclusion

It is important for health care providers to understand and accept the diversities

associated with faith beliefs because they enhance competency and sensitivity. Though coming

into contact with people from different faiths can be challenging, proper integration of faith

traditions into health care through effective planning can ensure quality delivery of health care

services.

My spiritual perspective on healing is that it is a process that involves a combination of

physical, spiritual, emotional, and social dimensions. Each of these dimensions plays an

important role in the life of a patient. The spiritual dimension is however the most important

because it gives meaning to life. Attaching meaning to life is important since it brings hope and

fulfilment all of which are required when one is healing. It is through connecting with the spirit

that healing takes place. The spirit invites the grace of God to the body hence giving an

individual the power to engage in activities that contribute to healing such as eating, exercising,

and sleeping, among others.

From this research, I have learnt that full recovery of a patient is not only dependent on

medication but also on other social factors such as beliefs. This learning can be applied to a

health care provider by encouraging them to develop interest in understanding the belief systems

of their patients. This will go a long way in providing a favourable environment for recovery. I

have also learnt that health care providers play an important role in the healing process of a

patient. This is applicable to health care providers because it helps them to be conscious of the

fact that they have the power to either influence the patient positively through respecting

patients’ beliefs or negatively through distancing themselves from the preferences of patients.
 HEALTH CARE 8

Reference

Bhikshu, K. (n.d). A Buddhist Approach to Patient Health Care . UrbanDharma.org. Retrieved

from http://www.urbandharma.org/udharma8/health.html

Ehman, J. (2012). Religious Diversity: Practical Points for Health Care Providers. Penn

Medicine. Retrieved from

http://www.uphs.upenn.edu/pastoral/resed/diversity_points.html

Giger, J. N., & Davidhizar, R. R. (2004). Cultural beliefs: The effect on care. Modern Medicine

Network. Retrieved from

http://www.modernmedicine.com/modern-medicine/content/cultural-beliefs-effect-care?

page=full

McCormick, T. R., & Min, D. (2014). Spirituality and Medicine. University of Washington

School of Medicine. Retrieved from

https://depts.washington.edu/bioethx/topics/spirit.html

Puchalski, C. M. (2001). The Role of Spirituality in Health Care: NCBI 14(4), 352-357.

Retrieved from http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1305900/

Putsch, R. W., & Joyce, M. (1990). Dealing with Patients from Other Cultures. Bethesda: NCBI.

Retrieved from http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK340/

HEALTH CARE 9