Health Beliefs of Christian Science Followers - Research Paper Example

 Cultural Diversity Research Paper Instructor University Name September 29, 2012 Introduction Christian Science subscribes to only one God and it is their belief that the life and times of Jesus Christ demonstrated that disease has no ultimate reality that cannot be healed on the basis of God’s spiritual creation. There are approximately 400,000 followers of Christian Science in sixty countries worldwide. Clergy is not ordained and those in the healing ministry are Christian Science Practitioners. The central focus of the Church is spiritual healing. Most of the church’s’ members refuse medical help and that is what makes Christian Science controversial. They do however observe laws of the States such as vaccinations, reporting communicable diseases, required child physicals for education, etc. Research institutes affiliated with big name Universities have been established all over the country to study and exploit Christian Science; it is not merely a fad but has become a popular choice for many seeking an alternative religious lifestyle (Shoepflin, 2003). In the prior twenty-five years a resurgence of interest in the spiritual dimensions of human health has given reason and foundation to the thought that the preference of medical science over that of religion may be weakening. Christian Science was founded in 1866 and the founder later founded the Church of Christ, Scientist (Singh, 2009). Case Study A 25 year old pregnant female arrives at the emergency department, accompanied by her husband, with complaints of severe pains and abdominal cramps. Further examination by the physician discovers that she is suffering from an ectopic pregnancy. The diagnosis and plan of care is explained to the patient by the physician. The proposed treatment plan includes insertion of an IV, pain intervention through the use of medication and surgical intervention. Surgery will remove the developing cells which could potentiate a need for the administration of blood products and IV antibiotics. The couple refuses surgery on the basis of their religion and explains that they are Christian Science followers. The physician is insistent and explains ectopic pregnancy and the in inherent risks and cautions that the surgery must take place within the hour. Ectopic Pregnancy The physician explains fully the implications of an ectopic pregnancy. An ectopic pregnancy develops outside of the uterus and the embryo implants in an area other than where it should, which is the endometrial layer of the uterus. The travel of the embryo through the fallopian tubes is altered in some way in these pregnancies. Up to 98% of these pregnancies develop in the fallopian tubes (Mcqueen, 2011, p 50). It is a leading cause of first trimester mortality. An ectopic pregnancy is usually not capable of survival though the pregnancy can grow large enough to rupture the area that it is in which can cause serious and heavy bleeding which endangers the life of the mother. These pregnancies damage the fallopian tubes and must be detected and treated early to prevent severe bleeding. One that has ruptured will bleed heavily into the abdomen and is considered a medical emergency. Health Beliefs of Christian Science Followers Christian Science accepts the idea that illness is a form of evil and all evil is an illusion. Founder Mary Baker wrote that the only reality of sickness and death are the fact that unrealities seem real to humans until God strips of their disguises (Paloma, 1991, p 340). 85% of Christian scientists believes that God always heals if a person’s faith is great enough and unwavering while only 57% of main stream Christians have this same view point. There are some noteworthy distinctions to be realized between Christian Science and mainline Christian approaches to healing. These distinctions are important to recognize and to validate in order for you to be an effective practitioner while also culturally aware of your client’s needs, differences, and possible ways to meet your client at a comfortable decision for both parties. Christian Scientists are known to be much less demonstrative of their religious practices than are mainstream Christians. Mainline Christians are also more likely to employ some of the methods of healing mentioned in the Bible, such as the laying on ‘of hands,’ and anointing with oil. Christian scientists refuse to use these ritual practices that are commonly used by mainstream Christians. Christian Scientists are regarded as ‘spiritual physicians’ and are paid a fee for their services much like medical doctors. The majority of followers support this practice. Christian Scientist’s also believe that healing is available to all operating on the basis of fixed laws. They are less likely to assert that some people have a special gift of healing. Most experienced Christians who have experienced healing are evangelistic. They more often proclaim their healing to others. Understanding these cultural differences will help the health care team to become more aware of their own cultural beliefs and how better to respond to those of the Christian Science followers (Paloma, 1991, p 371). General Beliefs of Christian Scientists in Health Care Christian Scientists do not usually accept medical interventions and obviously have opposite approaches to the cause and cure of illnesses. Their religion allows them to be in the hospital for childbirth, after accidents or due to family pressure. This point is a significant one when there is conflict regarding the treatment decision, it’s acceptance in the client’s religion, and the severity of the need for treatment and medical intervention. The only death related religious ritual is that a female staff member should handle females after death in providing care, though there is no similar requirement for men. Infant baptism is not required even if the situation becomes life threatening for the infant (Lobi, Castle, 2012). Though medical procedures are not normally congruent with prayer based treatment it should not be assumed that a person will or that they must decline conventional treatment on the basis of their Christian Science beliefs. As a healthcare worker it will be important to determine early on what treatment measures they are willing to accept so that an appropriate plan of care that provides for the safety of the client is established. Christian Science has complete respect for the medical profession and the church makes it a policy that members who accept and or need medical treatment interventions are in no way rebuked by the Church. The religion has a full time group of Christian Science practitioners and as a member of the health care team contacting or asking the client if they would like this contact established for them may be in the best interest of the client and allow them to fully exercise their religious beliefs while also accepting medical treatment. Privacy and a quiet atmosphere should be provided. Though the situation in this case study affects two people, as the biological parents of the developing fetus, the wishes of the patient must remain paramount in this case, especially when there is a high risk of a life threatening emergency should the patient’s partner demand that no medical treatment be accepted. In general blood transfusions, organ transplant and life support are not part of the ideologies of Christian Science. With any medical procedure, especially of a serious nature time may be requested for council and prayer before deciding on the medical intervention. There are no formal and specific religious requirements of rituals for stillbirths, miscarriage or death of an infant and in all cases the preferred method of interment is cremation. In childbirth the Christian Science church takes no official stance on child birth and pain relief, members are free to accept medical intervention if they so choose (Hall, 2011). Though the Church takes no official stance Christian Scientist’s prefer not to use immunization, Doctors, and vaccinations even during the birth and labor process. Many will choose to be under the care of a Doctor but to minimize interventions. Many may also choose to have their children at home with the aid of midwives (All about Cults, 2012). Health Care Team Considerations Pain associated with ectopic pregnancies is generally related to the actual cause of the ectopic pregnancy. It is possible that the fallopian tube is infected or inflamed causing it to become completely blocked. As the fetus grows there is a sharp and stabbing pain that may come and go and vary in intensity as the fallopian tubes is stretched to accommodate the growth, with the constantly increasing risk of the tube rupturing. It is also possible that there is an abnormality in the shape of the tube caused by a birth defect or previous surgeries could have left adhesion with the tubes. Aside from this physical pain the couple is likely hesitant to rely strictly on medical treatment though the Church of Scientology does use prescription drugs when ill, and they also rely on the advice and treatment of medical physicians. Any spiritual trauma that may occur because of the situation requiring medical intervention can then be dealt with by a scientologist’ connected to that condition. Abortion is rare because the church recognizes that even an unborn fetus is already occupied by a spiritual being though in cases such as this is when there is concern for the mother’s own health abortion would be recourse owing to those health concerns. Though this situation is in no way similar to that of an elective abortion because the parent may feel the fetus is already a spiritual being and it is their ultimate belief that faith heals illness they may have a hard time deciding to allow medical intervention. Possible side effects including heavy internal bleeding and even the risk of maternal death; extreme tubal scarring and other factors may lead to infertility in the future. Though church doctrine is less clear on this point it does specify when referring to terminating pregnancy’s that the ultimate safety and wellbeing of the mother must first be considered. The health care provider is aware of the urgency of the situation as the fallopian may burst at any time, causing heavy internal bleeding. The longer the patient waits and delays treatment the greater the risk to the mother and the greater the risk for serious complications, which include the risk of maternal death. If the patient and patient’s spouse are not treated in a culturally sensitive manner they are less likely to be receptive to the treatment protocol that is recommended and necessary. By providing them with a Christian Science Practitioner to offer council and guidance it is likely you will more easily be able to influence them to act on the mother’s behalf. Recognizing their beliefs and taking them into consideration as much as possible may mean that some elements of the treatment plan may need to be altered if possible. Because the couple is refusing surgical intervention alternative treatments should be explored. If the tube has already become ruptured or stretched and started bleeding all or part of the tube may need to be removed, surgical intervention will stop the bleeding promptly. Depending upon how far the pregnancy has grown a drug known as methotrexate, may be given to the patient versus surgical intervention which causes the body to reabsorb the tissue and also saves the fallopian tube. Because the patient is in severe pain the pregnancy may have progressed too far for this option; surgical intervention is being recommended. The Physician can use a test known as a culdocentesis, inserting a needle into the space at the very top of the vagina behind the uterus and in front of the rectum to check for the presence of blood in this area (American Pregnancy Association, 2012). Bleeding in this area could indicate the tube has ruptured and emergency surgical intervention is especially important. By offering this test to the mother she may be able to choose a lower level of intervention that does not require surgery. Because surgical intervention has already been recommended it is likely the Physician has good reason to suspect the tube has already become stretched and the pregnancy has progressed too far for this option. Explaining these many factors to the patient makes them aware of the severity of the situation. Surgical intervention will require the patient to have an IV and pain medication though medication after the procedure will be something the patient may refuse is the pain is tolerable though the Church states clearly that pain should be managed medically when possible combined with Christian Science Practitioner prayer and spiritual guidance. The possibility of blood product administration should be explained thoroughly as well and that they will only be given if the amount of blood loss is critical to the life of the mother. Considering the circumstances and the review of the literature concerning the beliefs of the church the mother would be full supported and encouraged in her decision to allow medical intervention by Christian Science Practitioners. References Lobi, T., & Castle, R. (2012). First Church of Christ, Scientist. HSE.IE. Retrieved October 1, 2012, from http://www.hse.ie/eng/services/Publications/services/SocialInclusion/InterculturalGuide/ChristianScience/ChristianScience.pdf McQueen, A. (2011). Ectopic pregnancy: risk factors, diagnostic procedures and treatment. Nursing Standard, 25(37), 49-56. Poloma, M. M. (1991). A Comparison Of Christian Science And Mainline Christian Healing Ideologies And Practices. Review Of Religious Research, 32(4), 337. Available at http://ehis.ebscohost.com/eds/pdfviewer/pdfviewer?vid=5&hid=103&sid=789963e9-e6ce-4190-98f5-0f2fda2151d9%40sessionmgr113 Shoepflin, R. (2003). Christian Science on Trial: Religious Healing on Trial. Baltimore, MD: John Hopkins University Press Available at http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0801870577 Singh, H. (2009, May). Health Care and Religious Beliefs. Alberta Helath Services. Retrieved September 30, 2012, from http://www.albertahealthservices.ca/ps-1026227-health-care-religious-beliefs.pdf Hall, H. (2011, February). Science-Based Medicine. » Childbirth Without Pain: Are Epidurals the Answer? Retrieved October 1, 2012, from http://www.sciencebasedmedicine.org/index.php/childbirth-without-pain-are-epidurals-the-answer/ All About Cults. (2012). Birth practice in Christian Scientist. Birth Practice in Christian Scientist. Retrieved October 1, 2012, from http://www.allaboutcults.org/birth-practice-in-christian-scientist-faq.htm American Pregnancy Association. (2012). American Pregnancy Association. American Pregnancy Association. Retrieved October 1, 2012, from http://www.americanpregnancy.org/pregnancycomplications/ectopicpregnancy.html Read More