PHI 413V Ethical and Spiritual Decision Making in Health Care Essay

The purpose of this paper is to complete a comparative ethical analysis of George’s situation and decision from the perspective of two worldviews or religions: Christianity and a second religion of your choosing. For the second faith, choose a faith that is unfamiliar to you. Examples of faiths to choose from include Sikh, Baha’i, Buddhism, Shintoism, etc. PHI 413V Ethical and Spiritual Decision Making in Health Care Essay

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In your comparative analysis, address all of the worldview questions in detail for Christianity and your selected faith. Refer to Chapter 2 of Called to Care for the list of questions. Once you have outlined the worldview of each religion, begin your ethical analysis from each perspective. PHI 413V Ethical and Spiritual Decision Making in Health Care Essay

In a minimum of 1,500-2,000 words, provide an ethical analysis based upon the different belief systems, reinforcing major themes with insights gained from your research, and answering the following questions based on the research:

1. How would each religion interpret the nature of George’s malady and suffering? Is there a “why” to his disease and suffering? (i.e., is there a reason for why George is ill, beyond the reality of physical malady?)
2. In George’s analysis of his own life, how would each religion think about the value of his life as a person, and value of his life with ALS?
3. What sorts of values and considerations would each religion focus on in deliberating about whether or not George should opt for euthanasia? PHI 413V Ethical and Spiritual Decision Making in Health Care Essay
4. Given the above, what options would be morally justified under each religion for George and why?
5. Finally, present and defend your own view.

Support your position by referencing at least three academic resources (preferably from the GCU Library) in addition to the course readings, lectures, the Bible, and the textbooks for each religion. Each religion must have a primary source included. A total of six references are required according to the specifications listed above. Incorporate the research into your writing in an appropriate, scholarly manner.

Prepare this assignment according to the guidelines found in the APA Style Guide. PHI 413V Ethical and Spiritual Decision Making in Health Care Essay

Case Study: Fetal Abnormality

Jessica is a 30-year-old immigrant from Mexico City. She and her husband Marco have been in the U.S. for the last three years and have finally earned enough money to move out of their Aunt Maria’s home and into an apartment of their own. They are both hard workers. PHI 413V Ethical and Spiritual Decision Making in Health Care Essay. Jessica works 50 hours a week at a local restaurant and Marco has been contracting side jobs in construction. Six months before their move to an apartment, Jessica finds out she is pregnant. PHI 413V Ethical and Spiritual Decision Making in Health Care Essay

Four months later, Jessica and Marco arrive at the county hospital, a large, public, nonteaching hospital. A preliminary ultrasound indicates a possible abnormality with the fetus. Further scans are conducted and it is determined that the fetus has a rare condition in which it has not developed any arms, and will not likely develop them. There is also a 25% chance that the fetus may have Down syndrome. PHI 413V Ethical and Spiritual Decision Making in Health Care Essay

Dr. Wilson, the primary attending physician, is seeing Jessica for the first time, since she and Marco did not receive earlier prenatal care over concerns about finances. Marco insists that Dr. Wilson refrain from telling Jessica the scan results, assuring him that he will tell his wife himself when she is emotionally ready for the news. While Marco and Dr. Wilson are talking in another room, Aunt Maria walks into the room with a distressed look on her face. She can tell that something is wrong and inquires of Dr. Wilson. After hearing of the diagnosis, she walks out of the room wailing loudly and praying aloud. PHI 413V Ethical and Spiritual Decision Making in Health Care Essay

Marco and Dr. Wilson continue their discussion, and Dr. Wilson insists that he has an obligation to Jessica as his patient and that she has a right to know the diagnosis of the fetus. He furthermore is intent on discussing all relevant factors and options regarding the next step, including abortion. Marco insists on taking some time to think of how to break the news to Jessica, but Dr. Wilson, frustrated with the direction of the conversation, informs the husband that such a choice is not his to make. PHI 413V Ethical and Spiritual Decision Making in Health Care Essay. Dr. Wilson proceeds back across the hall, where he walks in on Aunt Maria awkwardly praying with Jessica and phoning the priest. At that point, Dr. Wilson gently but briefly informs Jessica of the diagnosis, and lays out the option for abortion as a responsible medical alternative, given the quality of life such a child would have. Jessica looks at him and struggles to hold back her tears. PHI 413V Ethical and Spiritual Decision Making in Health Care Essay

Jessica is torn between her hopes of a better socioeconomic position and increased independence, along with her conviction that all life is sacred. Marco will support Jessica in whatever decision she makes, but is finding it difficult not to view the pregnancy and the prospects of a disabled child as a burden and a barrier to their economic security and plans. Dr. Wilson lays out all of the options but clearly makes his view known that abortion is “scientifically” and medically a wise choice in this situation. Aunt Maria pleads with Jessica to follow through with the pregnancy and allow what “God intends” to take place, and urges Jessica to think of her responsibility as a mother. PHI 413V Ethical and Spiritual Decision Making in Health Care Essay

Case Study: End of Life Decisions

George is a successful attorney in his mid-fifties. He is also a legal scholar, holding a teaching

post at the local university law school in Oregon. George is also actively involved in his teenage

son’s basketball league, coaching regularly for their team. Recently, George has experienced

muscle weakness and unresponsive muscle coordination. He was forced to seek medical

attention after he fell and injured his hip. After an examination at the local hospital following his

fall, the attending physician suspected that George may be showing early symptoms for ALS

(amyotrophic lateral sclerosis), a degenerative disease affecting the nerve cells in the brain and

spinal cord. The week following the initial examination, further testing revealed a positive

diagnosis of ALS. PHI 413V Ethical and Spiritual Decision Making in Health Care Essay

ALS is progressive and gradually causes motor neuron deterioration and muscle atrophy to the

point of complete muscle control loss. There is currently no cure for ALS, and the median life

expectancy is between three and five years, though it is not uncommon for some to live 10 or

more years. The progressive muscle atrophy and deterioration of motor neurons leads to the loss

of the ability to speak, move, eat, and breathe. However, sight, touch, hearing, taste, and smell

are not affected. Patients will be wheelchair bound and eventually need permanent ventilator

support to assist with breathing. PHI 413V Ethical and Spiritual Decision Making in Health Care Essay

George and his family are devastated by the diagnosis. George knows that treatment options only

attempt to slow down the degeneration, but the symptoms will eventually come. He will

eventually be wheelchair bound, and be unable to move, eat, speak, or even breathe on his own.

In contemplating his future life with ALS, George begins to dread the prospect of losing his

mobility and even speech. PHI 413V Ethical and Spiritual Decision Making in Health Care Essay. He imagines his life in complete dependence upon others for basic

everyday functions, and perceives the possibility of eventually degenerating to the point at which

he is a prisoner in his own body. Would he be willing to undergo such torture, such loss of his

own dignity and power? George thus begins inquiring about the possibility of voluntary

euthanasia. PHI 413V Ethical and Spiritual Decision Making in Health Care Essay

PHI-413V Topic 5 Case Study on Death and Dying

Faith Diversity and Health Care Professionals The term of spirituality and worldview can mean something different for each individual. It is a connection to something that a person views bigger than them and gives a meaning to life. There are several concepts of spirituality that coexist together in a society. These concepts help guide us in our personal and health care professional views/decisions when dealing with society. It is very important for health care professionals to keep an open mind when faced with patients from all walks of faith. Nurses treat patients from a holistic view that involves mental, physical, and spiritual approaches. PHI 413V Ethical and Spiritual Decision Making in Health Care Essay

The practice of health care providers at all levels brings you into contact with people from a variety of faiths. This calls for knowledge and acceptance of a diversity of faith expressions.

The purpose of my work is to complete a comparative ethical analysis of George’s situation and decision from the perspective of two worldviews or religions: Christianity and any other second religion. For the second faith, I have to choose a faith that is unfamiliar to me. Examples of faiths to choose from include Sikh, Baha’i, Buddhism, Shintoism, etc.
In the comparative analysis, I need to address all of the worldview questions in detail for Christianity and the second selected faith. The questions are: PHI 413V Ethical and Spiritual Decision Making in Health Care Essay
1.Describe a worldview
2.Define the four major concepts of the nursing metaparadigm according to the modern, postmodern and biblical worldviews
3.Describe how this struggle between worldviews affects your nursing practice
4.Identify the worldview reflected in a nursing theory

Provide some ethical analysis based upon the different belief systems, reinforcing major themes with insights gained from any research, and answering the following questions based on the research:
1. How would each religion interpret the nature of George’s malady and suffering? Is there a “why” to his disease and suffering? (i.e., is there a reason for why George is ill, beyond the reality of physical malady?)
2. In George’s analysis of his own life, how would each religion think about the value of his life as a person, and value of his life with ALS? PHI 413V Ethical and Spiritual Decision Making in Health Care Essay
3. What sorts of values and considerations would each religion focus on in deliberating about whether or not George should opt for euthanasia?
4. Given the above, what options would be morally justified under each religion for George and why?
5. Finally, present and defend your own view.
Support your position by referencing at least three academic resources.