A Role Religion in Inpatient Care - Essay Example

Cultural Diversity Order No. 357756 No. of pages: 6 Writer: 653 “The human spirit is stronger than anything that happens to it” -C. C .Scott Life is one long journey filled with incidents and events, some of which are good and some not so good. In dealing with our tryst with life we’re often called upon to make some very difficult choices. These choices are not too easy to make and hence challenge us both physically and mentally and leave us emotionally crushed for the rest of our lives. One of the most difficult of these choices that challenge us is coming to terms with illness and bereavement especially in the case of our near and dear loved ones. Most people believe that God our Father is the ultimate source of greatness and value wherein they are accountable only to God for all their actions. On the other hand, others believe that the human conscience is the chief source of values and therefore we are only accountable to our conscience. It is very important to understand that there are a lot of energy and psychic forces that influences the past and present in our lives and if we become aware of this, we can not only manage to lead a peaceful and harmonious life, but also pass on the same peace and harmony to all who come in contact with us each day. This is essentially important especially when dealing with sick people in the hospital because people in the medical fraternity have to be very patient, understanding and empathetic why dealing with patients with varied illnesses, different moods and in different circumstances. Therefore, ‘Divine or Spiritual’ interventions are indispensable tools that are used in helping patients to regain their health and live a better quality of life. In this paper, we’re going to critically examine the meaning and role of spirituality and religion in the lives people who are ill and find out best ways that these beliefs could be incorporated into the nursing care plan. Spirituality is defined as being opposed to anything that is material in nature. Anything that relates and affects the human spirit is what is known as spirituality and does not depend on physical or material comforts. Every person is spiritual and is surrounded by spirituality in many different ways, but unfortunately people are trapped by a material world and are not aware of it. . According to Brown A. & Brown E (1996) ‘spirituality involves the essence of what it means to be humane which includes self-understanding and self-worth, creativity, emotional responses, a personal quest for meaning and a purpose in the formation of relationships. (pg. 4) www.qca.org.uk/libraryAssets/media/6149_re_spiritual_and_moral_develop.pdf 25/03/09 In patient care, spirituality and religion can play a major role in bringing back good health and cheer into the lives of clients. There is no doubt that it is medicine that cures a sick body, but it is spirituality that helps to cure a person mentally and emotionally. Since the world is made up of diverse cultures, spirituality becomes a very broadly based phenomenon because one has to deal with people from various walks of life and from different ethical and social backgrounds. This is by no means an easy task because every individual is unique and have their own thoughts and ideas which may come into conflict from time to time. Therefore, such a scenario requires immense understanding, care and patience on the part of the care-giver. Spirituality not only helps patients to make good progress, but it also helps them recognize their own unique potential even while acknowledging their strengths and weaknesses. Spirituality can also be called an awareness of oneself in terms of thoughts; to learn to express ones own feelings and emotions; in addition to recognizing the value of relationships and experiences. http://www.angellight.co.uk/freespirit/nationalcurriculum.htm 29/03/09 Bigger (1999) pg 6, states that spirituality “focuses on contemplating on ourselves, our responsibilities and the meaning that we need to give to our lives and experiences. We seek inner peace. The insights and awareness of a much deeper understanding can be not only revealing but life transforming’. Patient Care and Spirituality Every person has a moral responsibility in understanding the right and wrong of our actions because this is what drives our behavior, intentions and attitudes not only to ourselves but in relationship to all those around us. Serving the whole person includes the physical, social, emotional and spiritually health. Compassionate care requires medical personnel to assist their patients by being part of all the pain and suffering. Such an experience is termed as ‘service’. Victor Frankl, a psychiatrist States that “Man is not destroyed by suffering; he is destroyed by suffering without meaning” (Frankl, 1984) Patients not only suffer from their physical aspects of pain but also from their mental aspects. Some of the common questions asked by patients are – why did this happen to me? Is there a God? What would my family do after I’m gone? Will I be able to finish my duties before I die? And many such questions. Physicians have come to realize, that true healing lies in the fact of finding answers to these questions. Though every illness does not have a cure, yet experiencing acceptance of one’s illness would help to bring much peace into their lives. Such an experience could be termed as ‘spiritual.’ ‘Spirituality has been recognized by many authors as an integral developmental task for those who are dying’ (Derrickson BS, 1996 & Moberg D. 1982) Most often people who are on their death bed are neglected. This is a very crucial time for such a patient because they’re dealing with transcendence and very badly need someone to help them through this process. This is one of the issues that could be incorporated within the Healthcare system. Science and technology have advanced in leaps and bounds and its benefits cannot be negated where health is concerned. But equally so, the impact that spirituality has on a person’s health cannot be undermined. Comforting a patient just by sitting with them, holding their hands and being a part of the whole experience benefits the patient, in ways that can hardly be understood by a lay person. Research conducted on the impact of spirituality in patient regimes falls into three major categories – 1) Mortality, 2) Coping and 3) Recovery. Spiritual beliefs could go a long way in helping patients cope with their suffering and makes them brave enough to face death. On the mortality front, research studies have shown that religious commitment builds up strong coping mechanisms that lend the patient great strength and support when he most needs it. ‘People who are spiritual tend to live much longer.’ (Strawbridge WJ, Cohen RD, Shema SJ, Kaplan GA, 1997) People who practice spirituality on a regular basis, lead a much happier life and are quite capable of coping up with stress, pain, illness or even death. Studies have shown that spirituality helps people to enjoy life even in the face of the pain, proving that ‘spirituality may be an important clinical target’. (Brady MJ, Peterman AH, Fitchett G, Mo M, Cella D., 1999) Spirituality plays a very important role in recovery because it can influence our health to a great extent. Though placebos are extensively used in Healthcare for pain, mood changes and for other conditions, yet studies conducted on the ‘Placebo Effect’ have proved the fact that religious beliefs and spirituality are so powerful that it can influence the outcomes of health in patients. The good relationship shared between the health care professional and a patient is in itself therapeutic in nature and which could do wonders for a patient. ‘Relaxation response’ is a good technique in bringing around patients who are suffering, to enjoy a much better lifestyle. Discussing spirituality and religious beliefs with their patients helps to cement a relationship based on trust and hope in their Physicians. Sitting with the patient and bringing to mind happy moments enjoyed with family and friends, helps patients to feel much better by taking away the seriousness of their illness. Lending a sympathetic ear while the patient explains his doubts, fears and anxiety, help patients come to terms about their commitments and helps them accept the situation with a much easier frame of mind. References Bigger S & Brown E (1999) Spiritual, Moral, Social and Cultural Education, Exploring Values in the Curriculum, London, David Fulton Publishers Ltd Brady MJ, Peterman AH, Fitchett G, Mo M, Cella D. A case for including spirituality in quality of life measurement in oncology. Psychooncology. 1999;8:417–428. [PubMed] Brown A & Brown E, 1996 (Religious Education in the Primary School, London. The National Society (Church of England) for Promoting Religious Education. National Curriculum http://www.angellight.co.uk/freespirit/nationalcurriculum.htm 29/03/09. Definition of Spirituality www.livingwordsofwisdom.com/definition-of-spirituality.html Derrickson BS. The spiritual work of the dying: a framework and case studies. Hosp J. 1996;11:11–30. [PubMed] Frankl VE. Man's Search for Meaning. New York: Simon and Schuster; 1984. Moberg D. Spiritual well-being of the dying. In: Lesnoff-Caravaglia G, editor. Aging and the Human Condition. New York: Human Science Press; 1982. Strawbridge WJ, Cohen RD, Shema SJ, Kaplan GA. Frequent attendance at religious services and mortality over 28 years. Am J Public Health. 1997;87:957–961. [PubMed] The Role of Spirituality in Health Care www.pubmedcentral.nih.gov/articlerender.fcgi?artid=1305900 Read More