Following the case study of "healing and autonomy," while observing the Christian narrative; it involves a family of four. There are grappling with their son's acute illness that is kidney failure. The problem can only now be addressed through an organ transplant whereby in case it fails, he will succumb to the disease. The family comprises of parents Joanne and Mike and the two boys who are twins Samuel and James aged eight years. In the case, a spiritual conundrum and health care have emerged, and it puts the family in a dilemma in deciding what to do for their son. The family is wrestling in making the right ethical and moral decision regarding James condition that is worsening daily.
Joanne and Mike are founded in strong Christian beliefs, and they are the key decision makers for their young son James regarding his health condition. At the case study, it depicts the struggle the parents have as they try to maintain religion believes by attempting to argue that their religion will make James heal. They seek advice from friends and pastor to cling to the faith rather than science. However as the case unfolds, both Mike and Joanne, are forced to keep their spiritualism aside and give in to science measures for James to heal. The decision comes after they forego hemodialysis to wait up healing powers through faith (McCormick, 2014). This However, the decision leads them to more complicated questions with the additional layer of ethical and Christian quandaries.
The first encounter with religious autonomy strains come in when James first fell ill with Streptococcus A that lead to the development of kidney failure. The recommendation from the physician is that James should undergo temporary hemodialysis to the rest parts of the kidney, to help the kidney recover. However, due to religious beliefs, Mike and Joanne decided that James will not undergo the temporary hemodialysis at that time, rather put James in the healing hands of God. Mike's decision was facilitated by a sermon he had heard last week in church. The pastor continued to tell them how faith in God could help them recover from their ailment if only they trusted in God's healing power (McCormick, 2011). He went on to give a testimony of a close friend who had regained good health after ailing stroke for several years. To Mike and Joanne, the testimony was an assurance to them that even their son will be better if only they allowed healing power to take the course. They forgot that the patients were different and James was young and tender to withstand his ailment.
Out of ignorance and holding on to the religious beliefs, James condition worsened. From kidney failure to kidney transplant James condition continued to deteriorate as Mike and Joanne sat waiting for healing powers which were not the case. After two days of waiting, they went back to seek for science option. In the scenario, the physician sat aside as he had to respect the decisions of James's parent who had to give consent for further treatment. He had to adhere to Hippocratic Oath the section of respect for patients. The simplest solution in antagonist cases between doctor patients, the physician is always expected to avoid spiritual or religious content while interacting with his/her patients. The spiritual and religious practices of any patient are very influential factors especially in coping with the serious illnesses and making the ethical choices about their treatment (McCormick, 2014). However, in the case of James, the physician was guilty of allowing Mike and Joanne's decision to take the course. The doctor knew that James situation was critical and if no action was taken could lead to serious problems. He was aware that James was not allowed to give consent on what he wanted due to his age. Always, following Mike and Joanne's decision, they made the decision out of influence from their pastor's sermon but not their faith. It was through the sermon and the testimony that their pastor gave that build basis for making a decision (Maugans, & Wadland, 1991). The doctor did not probe or scrutinize further why Mike and Joanne make that decision and yet they knew James was suffering from a serious condition that needed much attention.
However, the real test of faith comes in while Mike is expected to give a go-ahead of the kidney transplant from an external donor. The situation comes after Mike's; Joanne's blood fails to match with James Blood. The son is expected to have a kidney transplant as soon as possible or else, he might lose his son. In this situation, the physician should intervene to help Mike make a decision and avoid the severity of the case. The clinician should make Mike understand that if his son requires emergency care with more attention than the earlier scenario. Therefore, Mike will be expected to incorporate both biomedical and spirituality elements for the improvement health of his son maintain sanctity in human life and spiritual beliefs (Maugans, & Wadland, 1991). Therefore, Mike will not leave alone make blind decisions without consideration of his con's health. His decision will not be the final, and therefore, physicians and therapist will give inputs in an attempt to save James life who is young to comprehend what is happening.
The spirituality and religion are mostly associated with psychological well-being and better health care. However, in some cases, it does not apply especially if it is not the patient's believe. Like in the case study, it was not the patient's belief rather it was his parents believes that drove the decisions. James is young to comprehend that his parents want to maintain spirituality and avoid science of medicine which might be helpful to him. As a physician, it is important to inquire about a patient's spirituality so that to learn how the spiritual factors and religious could help the patient cope with the illness. Although the physician should not interfere with a person's beliefs, the doctor should have explained to Mike the consequences to befall his son James if he avoided the dialysis despite their faith. He could have explained to him that James should continue with treatment while in faith that the son will get better (McCormick, 2011). Therefore, as a physician, the issue of treatment refusal by a patient must be dealt with a lot of knowledge and understanding of why refusal. Despite the religion and spirituality, the patient should know the nature of their sickness so that they can be informed of possible consequences in case no treatment administered.
Christians argue that illness, pain, and hardship have a broader value in Christian's life. They claim that they have transformative value and religion and spirituality adherence. Some argue that pain is as a result of sins, which is not the case. God created human in His image and expected that human remains in a perfect nature but due to sins, suffering came in the world and befell to all the inhabitants. According to Mike, when the condition of James, their son worsened they argued that it was a punishment from God. This was opposite of their expectation, they thought by waiting for two days adhering to spirituality, James would improve. To the astonishment that was not the case and they felt as if they had gone wrong according to religion beliefs. Christianity argues that suffering can also bring a person closer to God and build a strong relationship. Just as Joanne and Mike their relationship to God was more intimate during the suffering of their son James and they decided to maintain spirituality through faith that James will get well without drugs or nay treatment (Maugans, & Wadland, 1991). However, sometimes religion believes may fail, or a patient's condition may fail to improve, the Christian should not lose faith in the healing power of God but pray that God uses other means to heal. Therefore, with Mike's case, his faith should not be lowered but rather be increased and trust that his son will be well through other means. Christians have a wrong and inferior interpretation of Christian beliefs and values on healing when faith seems not work.
Christians are called to embrace the science of healing and biomedical application so that they can prevent the disease. Also, rather than preventing, biomedical prevents alleviation of unnecessary sufferings, whenever possible, and also respecting the sanctity of the human life. Health refers to the completeness of mental, spiritual, physical and social wellbeing of the human being. Therefore, when any of the factors is not functioning, that means no integrity of health. For the healing of the body, there is need to incorporate both science aspect and spirituality (McCormick, 2011). Therefore, in the case of James, Mike should respect both biomedical factors in the healing of his son and the spiritual belief. He should understand that his son needs both spiritual and biomedical elements for survival. By incorporating the two, he will respect the sanctity of human life (the life of his son) and his religion.
References
Maugans TA, & Wadland WC. (1991). Religion and family medicine: a survey of physicians and patients. Journal of Family Practice, 210-213.
McCormick, T. (2011). Syllabus for BH-518, "Spirituality in Health Care." Department of Bioethics and Humanities, School of Medicine, University of Washington.
McCormick, T. R. (2014, April). Spirituality and Medicine, Ethics in Medicine. University of Washington, School of Medicine.
