Religion and spirituality are essential components for many individuals as each person has their belief systems. Healthcare providers like nurses and physicians through evidence-based practice (EBP) model need to consider religious beliefs and spiritual needs of their patients, especially when dealing with complicated medical situations and decisions for their patients and families (Damiano et al., 2021). Patients and their families need spiritual analysis to make effective decisions and accept the prescribed care interventions. The purpose of this paper is to offer a reflective analysis of a case study about a minor with glomerulonephritis yet parents, Mike and Joanne, make decisions that are based on their religious beliefs and not founded on medical evidence. The paper analyses the case and discusses the reflective findings over the issue.
Physicians have an ethical and legal obligation to respect patient’s preferences and decisions based on the concept of autonomy as one of the biomedical ethical principles. The concept implores healthcare providers to respect the decisions and preferences of their patients, even when they do not agree with them because they have the right to determine the kind of care that they should receive from providers. In this case, James is incompetent because he is a minor and his preferences and decisions are made by his parents, especially the father, Mike (Zwitter, 2019). The concept of autonomy is essential in this case and the physician should respect any decision and preferences that Mike makes, irrespective of how irrational they may seem or look. The decision my Mike to forego dialysis for his son and opt for miracle prayers at his church was not the best. However, the physician has an obligation to allow the parent to make decisions that he deems will provide benefits to his son.
The physician should use his expertise and experience to provide information and educate the couple about the dangers of foregoing treatment interventions like the dialysis. The physician needs to emphasize that while having hope is critical, it is important for the patient to take certain steps to attain better outcomes. The implication is that using this approach will allow the physician to demonstrate the need for dialysis and the eventual kidney transplant as the permanent or long-term intervention for the patient (Sledge et al., 2022). The physician should refrain from imposing any beliefs or even his scientific knowledge and expertise to the patient and his family. He needs to wait for their decisions and preferences and consider them to offer quality care.
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