Health Care Provider and Faith Diversity
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Abstract:
Health care provision and faith within the society are important to bettering lifestyles. This essay observes various aspects three faiths against the philosophy of Christians, which stipulates that healing comes from God, and faith in God heals them. However the administration of medicine is also encouraged through prayer. The faiths observed include: Muslims, Sikh, Buddhism and Christianity, prayer, meditation, and belief. It is important for society to learn about the values that other religions hold in regard to health care and faith diversity. This could be done through the introduction of handbooks for health providers.
Key Words: faith, religion, refute, health provider, medication, visualization…
Healthcare and faith are two aspects that for many years have affected the way of life of many cultures (Koenig, 2012). For instance, in the healthcare, each practitioner has the opportunity to interact with various persons from a variety of faith and therefore it calls for the acceptance of a diversity of faith expression during work and even after working hours. This assignment aims at providing a comprehensive: summary, comparison and contrast of three diverse faiths in regard to health care provision. The paper will compare the philosophy of each of the three faiths with that of the Christian perspective and provide a personal perspective. In addition to these questions to consider when researching the chosen religions are: What is the spiritual perspective on healing? What are the critical components of healing, such as prayer, meditation, belief, etc.? What is important to the people of a particular faith when cared for by health care providers whose spiritual beliefs differ from their own? How do patients view health care providers who are able to let go of their own beliefs in the interest of the beliefs and practices of the patient? Among others
During the provision or administration of health care to a Muslim patient, certain aspects are taken into consideration. For instance, under the Muslim law, a male physician cannot attend to a female and a female to a male patient (Koenig, 2012). This is because it is considered aboo to do that.
Equally, whenever a Muslim patient or a person dies, he or she is taken care of by people of the same sex (Koenig, 2012). In fact the Muslim place great emphasis on the purity of the bodily boundaries than any other faith (Komaromy 2004). Moreover, they treat the body with a lot of gentleness and keep it covered.
Seldom do postmortems take place within this faith as compared to the Christian faith, whereby a post mortem could be administered by the next of kin easily if need be (Koenig, 2012). The Muslims perceive postmortems as an approach of disturbing the bereaved families, and strongly refutes any disfigurement on the body (Koenig, 2012). However, the Sikh accepts postmortems to be carried out within their religion, but the removal of hair is not allowed, as it is seen to be sacred.
The Muslims also consider the use of medicines similar to Christians who also go to the hospital to consult health care providers and get treated whenever a disease or an ailment is plaguing them.
Another health care challenge a physician could phase is food belief. The Muslims’ faith permits them to only take in permissible foods, i.e. Halal rather than prohibiting foods, i.e. Haram (Koenig, 2012). This is because the Islamic rights refute the use of unclean-foods such as pork products, as well as meat that is from animals that they have not slaughtered (Komaromy 2004). Therefore, food which is an important part of healing could, only be administered in accordance with the Muslim rights.
However, in accordance with the Muslims faith, circumcision of young men is accepted, which is similar to the Christians, who believes that circumcision is ideal in accordance with their spiritual upbringing and the bible (Koenig, 2012).
Nevertheless, patients view the health care providers who are able to let go of their own beliefs in the interest of the beliefs and practices as persons who care for the welfare of the stakeholders being taken care of (Koenig, 2012). On the other hand, others view them as people who are unable to remain faithful to the beliefs of their faith, hence could lead other people astray from their doctrines.
Sikh is described as a monolithic form of religion that has its origins in India (Singh, 2011). The Sikh Spiritual perspective on healing includes the administration of medicine in hospices, which is widely accepted in accordance with their philosophy and teaching that stipulate: that helping others and putting other care before themselves is an ideal and noble approach in life (Singh, 2009 & Singh, 2011). However, there is only one limitation that makes it hard for surgeons and other practitioners to carry out medical treatment successful, i.e. the shaving of hair or cutting of hair on their body (Singh, 2009). Sikhs consider cutting of hair a taboo and lack of respect, which is contrary to the Muslim and the Christians who accept any form of surgery treatment, which may require cutting of hair in order to aid in the process of healing (Ellison, 2010& (Koenig, 2012)..
An assisted form of suicide or euthanasia is a strongly refuted practice among the Sikhs. This is because many of them believe that life cannot be terminated by an individual as it is against the will of God (Singh, 2011). Moreover, their perception toward life is that it is a gift that is given and should be protected dearly as the times of birth and death are best left to God.
In spite of the Sikh believing in treatment or healing through medicine, the practitioner is not allowed to disturb a patient when he or she is praying (Singh, 2011). This is because it is considered an important part of their faith, hence the physician would have to wait until they finish praying to administer a drug or care on the patient.
The Sikhs also greatly value their article of faith that consists of the five K’s (Singh, 2011). For that reason any physician or health practitioner ought to aptly regard these items with great respect, since they have a specific semblance to Sikh’s faith. For instance, the Turban protects the Kesh i.e. the hair and symbolizes holiness and strength, the Kangha is a wooden comb symbolizes the importance of caring for one’s body given by God (Singh, 2009 & Singh, 2011). Karas is a bracelet made out of steel it acts as a spiritual reminder of doing what is morally approved, and God not having an end, the Kachh is the underwear, which symbolizes chastity, Kirpann is the ceremonial sword that symbolizes spirituality and defender of good(Singh, 2011& Singh, 2009).
Nevertheless, the Sikhs seek after divine health through prayer to their God, which is similar to the Christian faith who seeks for divine Healing from God. The Sikhs believe that sacred words are important to a person as they bring about strength, both physically and spiritually in order to nourish their bodies.
In Buddhism, healthcare is an important aspect of life. However, there are some circumstances that may seem similar and different from the above mentioned faiths. For instance, the Buddhists regard mantras and medicinal remedies as an important part of the healing of a sick person, which is similar to the Christians who believe in healing from God, and the administration of medicine as another approach toward healing (Ratanakul, 2014 & Ellison, 2010).
On the other hand, Buddhists often use mediation (Bhavana) to seek peace of mind and create a healthier life, hence improving their health (Ratanakul, 2014). This is done by making the mind be at peace through performing Bhavana often (Ratanakul, 2014). In other words, spiritual health and mental health is highly obtained through being mindful, concentrating on moral aspects and observing specific precepts of trees and plants growth on earth.
Visualization is another aspect that the Buddhist contrary to the Christian religion who have faith in God to heal and use of medicines. The Buddhists use Parita a form of chanting that leads to a healing effect through the visualization of the Buddha (Ratanakul, 2014).
In conclusion, it is clear that many religions take heed of health as an important part of their lives. The religions mentioned above have their own beliefs and ways which they would deal with healing: moreover, how the religion stipulates, stand as information to the physician who administered medication to them.
Equally, it is important to note that the Christians’ philosophy of faith and healing is based on God and his wondrous ways of healing and medication is also included in faith healing (Ellison, 2010).
Nonetheless, it is important for society to learn about the values that other religion hold in regard to health care and faith diversity. This could be done through the introduction of handbooks for health providers. This would lead to the nation becoming educated on health aspects.
References
Ellison, C. G., & Hummer, R. A. (2010). Religion, families, and health: Population-based research in the United States. New Brunswick, N.J: Rutgers University Press
Koenig, H. G., King, D. E., & Carson, V. B. (2012). Handbook of religion and health.
Komaromy, C. (2004) .Cultural diversity in death and dying. Nursing Management – UK, 11(8), 32-36
Ratanakul, P. (2014). Dharma world, Health disease and healing: The Buddhist Contribution. Retrieved from http://www.rk-world.org/dharmaworld/dw_2008odhealth.aspx
Sign, H. (2009). Caring for a Sikh patient. Retrieved from http://www.covwarkpt.nhs.uk/aboutus/equality-and-diversity/Documents/Caring%20for%20a%20Sikh%20Patient.pdf
Singh, N.-G. K. (2011). Sikhism: An introduction. London: I.B. Tauris.
