Scenario Summary
James, one of the 8-year-old identical twins, developed acute glomerulonephritis following a strep infection, leading to kidney failure and severe fluid buildup that required dialysis. His parents, influenced by faith healing experiences, initially postponed treatment to pursue prayer, but James’s condition worsened, making dialysis and eventually a kidney transplant necessary. Unable to donate themselves or find a compatible donor among friends, the nephrologist suggested James’s twin brother, Samuel, as a potential donor. Mike now struggles with the decision to risk Samuel’s health or hope for another miracle, questioning the limits of his faith.
Balancing Autonomy and Best Interests
The physician must consider Mike’s autonomy, consider the family’s spiritual needs, and respectfully engage with them on the best treatment option to save James. Within the Christian worldview, patients’ autonomy is highly respected, and physicians are expected to allow Christians to express their faith and religious viewpoints (Plöckinger & Auga, 2022). Freedom of choice is also a critical principle in medical ethics; physicians must incorporate individuals’ decisions, beliefs, and personal values (Plöckinger & Auga, 2022). In the case study, Mike and Joanne stick to their religious values, hoping their patient will heal through faith and prayer. Care providers must respect that they express genuine concern for the family’s spiritual and emotional well-being, providing spiritual support and showing the family that they understand and respect their rights to autonomy.
However, the doctor must stress the need for immediate medical care for James’s well-being in addition to providing guidance and suggestions. Attaining this can be complicated, given James’s parents’ deeply ingrained values and beliefs against dialysis. Nevertheless, respecting patients’ autonomy and engaging in open and honest communication to explain the scope of the doctors’ suggestions can be a significant way to align with their values (Varkey, 2020). The physician should provide information about James’s condition, the potential risks and benefits of different treatment options, and the medical necessity of dialysis and a kidney transplant. This aligns with the Christian worldview, as it fosters understanding between the two parties to save a life.
The Christian Perspective on Sickness, Medical Intervention, and Trusting God
Christian Thought on Sickness
In Christian perspectives of sickness, God is the ultimate healer. He can heal and offer a healthy life to those who believe in him. While humans can be exposed to various life challenges, including sickness, they should always have faith and embrace God as their only savior to get them out. Nonetheless, the bible also states that God helps those who help themselves (Plöckinger & Auga, 2022). Christians seek God’s favor but must also undertake recommended steps to enhance their well-being, including medical interventions and preventive measures.
Christian Thought on Medical Intervention
In medical interventions, God is recognized as a merciful and loving Father who equips His followers with gifts and resources to continue His stewardship. Christians view medical interventions as God-given skills and talents that showcase God’s sovereignty and care for His people. Christians believe God cannot let them suffer in the face of the fallen world. He has given his people the knowledge, skills, and medical advancements to enhance their well-being (Plöckinger & Auga, 2022). However, medical interventions become meaningless if they do not align with God’s values. When seeking medical intervention, Christians must recognize their faith and prioritize God’s values.
Option for Mike
Mike’s decisions regarding medical interventions must reflect God’s values. God wants Christians to consult their religious values when faced with challenging situations, as it empowers them to make informed and righteous choices (Varkey, 2020). Nevertheless, every option one takes must reflect biblical principles and the well-being of others (Varkey, 2020). Mike must believe in God as the ultimate healer of all sickness while seeking medical interventions to save his child.
Trusting God in Relation to the Principles of Beneficence and Nonmaleficence
Mike must trust God as the only savior in this tricky situation. However, Christians also hold that God can work through medical interventions to enhance the lives of his believers (Varkey, 2020). Mike’s decisions must reflect the principles of beneficence and nonmaleficence as indicated in medical ethics.
Upholding the concept of beneficence involves actions that enhance the patient’s well-being (Varkey, 2020). Mike must seek various medical alternatives to find the most reliable one, considering his Christian beliefs and his child’s well-being. For each option, he has to weigh the evidence and consult medical professionals to ensure he is making an informed decision to save James.
The principle of nonmaleficence, a fundamental ethical concept, focuses on avoiding harm. In the Christian worldview, this involves taking actions that do not risk the life and well-being of others, as their safety showcases their value as humans ordained by God (Varkey, 2020). He must be aware of the potential alternatives, analyze their success rates, and consider how they align with God’s values for human life. This involves several steps, including discussions and consultations with medical providers, to obtain valid information before making decisions. These steps will be crucial in showcasing his trust in God while aligning with the principles of beneficence and nonmaleficence.
Spiritual Needs Assessment
In a medical context, understanding patients’ spiritual needs is crucial for physicians to align treatment decisions with their patients’ beliefs. Human holds deeply ingrained spiritual values that guide their life decisions. Christians, for instance, have placed their values in embracing and promoting God’s sovereignty and stewardship (Miller, 2018). They want to live a life that recognizes and resonates with Jesus’ teachings, as he is their role model and a guide in every action they undertake. They expect their medical interventions to align with these values, recognizing God as the primary healer. In James’ case, the physician must conduct a spiritual needs assessment to understand and address Mike’s, James’s, and his family’s spiritual concerns.
The spiritual needs assessment will help caregivers analyze Mike’s religious values and how each decision aligns with or enhances them. The decisions made by the physician will be based on information about their faith to offer a reliable medical intervention that will improve the quality of care experience. As the care providers recognize Mike’s religious concerns, they will try to help him navigate his doubts and suspicions and make informed decisions that enhance his son’s treatment and recovery. In addition, a spiritual needs assessment would be a vital strategy to help James’s parents comprehend the scope and impacts of his illness. The physician will find a way to tailor the information to align with their spiritual needs, thereby enhancing their understanding and supporting the most reliable care approach to save James.
References
Miller, M. S. (2018). Embracing God’s sovereignty in salvation and our role as his heralds. Tabletalk.
Plöckinger, U., & Auga, U. (2022). The “Four principles” of Western medical bioethics and the bioethics of Shīʿī Islam in Iran—is the claim of universality by both justified?Religions, 13(11), 1118.
Varkey, B. (2020). Principles of clinical ethics and their application to practice. Medical Principles and Practice, 30(1), 17–28.