Write a 1,200-1,500 word analysis of \"Case Study: Healing and Autonomy.\" In li

Question

Write a 1,200-1,500 word analysis of "Case Study: Healing and Autonomy." In light of the readings, be sure to address the following questions:

Under the Christian narrative and Christian vision, what sorts of issues are most pressing in this case study?

Should the physician allow Mike to continue making decisions that seem to him to be irrational and harmful to James?

According to the Christian narrative and the discussion of the issues of treatment refusal, patient autonomy, and organ donation in the topic readings, how might one analyze this case?

According to the topic readings and lecture, how ought the Christian think about sickness and health? What should Mike as a Christian do? How should he reason about trusting God and treating James?

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PHI-413V-RS-T3CaseStudy.docx

Explanation / Answer

1. ANS: There are a lot of pressing issues in this case study under the Christian narrative, and it is of great importance to take note that there are different versions of the Christian faith whereby every domination interprets Christianity in different as well as separate ways. For instance, the Protestants and the Baptists have different variations so it the Presbyterians and the Catholics. With these various points of view on God, some denominations purport that God placed the doctors and medicine on earth so that they can provide the necessary healing to the ailing through His guidance. Consequently, this would mean that it would be okay to receive treatment for a particular sickness thus preventing death or suffering because doctors are working on behalf of God. Contrary, religion like the Jehovah witness do not allow blood transfusion as well as other treatments that could save lives because it is against their Christianity beliefs.

Therefore, this is the reason why someone cannot place a blanket notion or narrative over the many different Christian faiths. However, most of the Christian issues of the controversy here are majorly associated with the moral and ethical issues, which are connected with various treatment procedures that tend to forgo their beliefs. Such case is what resulted in unwanted suffering and almost a death sentence to a child, James, whose parents could not allow treatment because of their faith. Another important issue that brings controversy to Christian narrative and notion is the decision reached by doctors and the parents, which is an ethical dilemma. The issue here is when they propose to take a kidney from James' twin brother, Samuel since he was a match with ailing James. This decision is an issue because Samuel is too young to make his consent on whether he will donate the kidney or not.

2. ANS: Religion plays an essential capacity role in the lives of many people and some situations; the religious beliefs of various Christian denominations have always been in conflict with medicine. There are related issues that involve religions, which can bring hindrance in delivering the necessary medical requirements to patients (American Academy of Paediatrics, 2013). The outstanding issue that is directly involved in our case study is the parent's refusal to allow their children receive medical treatment. In this instance, Mike denied the doctors the chance to treat James, and he opted to take him for spiritual healing rather than medical healing. However, we understand the rule to respect parents’decision-making authority over their children as an important principle in this field, but doctors should report such cases as a medical neglect. In such situations, the state should be able to intercede and order medical treatment for the child. Mike’s reason to refuse medical treatment for his son was based on his faith in that the religious and spiritual involvement in his son’s condition will heal him.

In such cases, where it is a matter of life and death, and medical treatment can prevent suffering and even death, it is recommended that the health, as well as the autonomy of the child, should be protected. Religious exemptions to neglecting the law and child abuse do not protect every child equally, and this can harm some kids by causing confusion regarding the duty to give out medical care. It is therefore recommended that these exemptions be repealed. Also, health care funds for the public should not cover any alternative or unproven spiritual and religious healing practices. This is because such payments may legitimize these practices as an appropriate medical treatment.

3. ANS: Right now, spirituality is regarded as a constitutive part of what it means to be human, and itrelates to the human capacity for self-existence in our everydaylife, which provides the fulfillment as well as the meaning of life. Consequently, if the Christian spirituality is to entail every lived experience, then spirituality will also engage in science and medicine. This applies, in particular, more so when it involve bioethics where there is an application of science or medicine to manipulate the different biological process. This issue has challenged Christianity concerning the view on meaning and value. Patient autonomy involves the informed choices of a competent person, which in this case study is Mike on behalf of his son, James. This respect gives consent to a particular decision taken by the patient, and it has brought the focus of medicine to the patient rather than the pathology. Therefore, physicians cannot go against the principle of autonomy (Ladin, 2016).

In the case study when Mike refused dialysis and opted for spiritual healing, autonomy will dictate that the doctor should inform the patient of the risks involvedin case of refusal. The doctor respects James’ autonomy because it is their free will to choose spiritual healing keeping in mind that they know the risks involved. Therefore, on a Christian narrative regarding patient autonomy, medical treatment refusal, and organ donations, a choice is available and valuable. Therefore, people are free to make theirs. In case it is not the right choice, they will face the repercussions. They have respect for free will because they believe that God created us yet he gave us the right of free will, so who is a doctor to deny a patient the same.

4. ANS: The point of view of Christians regarding sickness and health is always variable as to how doctors and physicians see it. From our case study, we can see that Mike and his family were staunch Christians therefore; it is safe to say that they viewed sickness from a Christian perspective. Since Christianity involve different denominations, it is safe to say that every Christian faith has a different view on sickness and health matter. Some Christians see it a temptation from God, others see it as a punishment for the wrongs they have done before, and others like Mike and his family see sickness as a test of his faith in God. Although, there are Christians who believe that God sent doctors to help eliminate sickness. Therefore, they see this as a condition that disrupts normal bodily function thus in need of treatment.

Mike as a Christian should hold on to his faith, but at the same time, he should allow the doctors do all they can to bring back his son to good health. He should hold on to his faith in the sense that he should let the doctors do their best in treatment and all he can do is to pray to his God for a miracle to happen which will be through the work these doctors will do to James. This is because even as Christians, we are taught that God helps those who help themselves and for Mike to deny James medical care, he will die. The best way for him to reason in trusting God and the treatment of James is only through the doctors.

References:

American Academy of Paediatrics. (2013). Conflicts between Religious or Spiritual Beliefs and Paediatric Care: Informed Refusal, Exemptions, and Public Funding. Retrieved from http://pediatrics.aappublications.org/content/132/5/962

Ladin, K. (2016). Organ Donation as a Collective Action Problem: Ethical Considerations and Implications for Practice. AMA Journal of Ethics, Volume 18, (Number 2). Retrieved from http://journalofethics.ama-assn.org/2016/02/msoc1-1602.html

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