Health Care Provider and Faith Diversity in Health Care

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Table of Contents

Introduction
Christian Perspectives/Components of Care and Healing
Baha’I
Sikh
Buddhism
Conclusion
References

Introduction

Healthcare providers are exposed to people of a variety of faiths in their places of work. Therefore, faith diversity is important to ensure that there is proper handling of patients and healthcare providers do not feel challenged. This paper provides a comparison in the philosophies of providing care from the perspective of diverse faiths.

Christian Perspectives/Components of Care and Healing

Christianity is composed of numerous denominations that have their own approaches to healing. Universally, Christianity believes in God as the power of healing. However, several denominations like the Jehovah Witness believe that Adam brought sickness as he lacked perfectionism hence passed illness to the offspring (Hollins, 2006). Catholics view illness as part of human existence and hold strong beliefs that human beings get ill because they are made of flesh and blood.

The universal Christian community believes in the power of prayer in healing and the clergy offer prayers and spiritual nourishment to the sick. Protestants, Jehovah Witness and Seventh Day Adventists have pastors and members of the clergy who visit patients in hospitals and offer spiritual nourishment. Similarly, the Catholic, through priests administers the sacrament of the sick to give blessing to the sick. The importance of medical health is a general element practiced by many Christian denominations. Universally, Christianity believes in the power of spiritual and medical care as components of cooperating with Gods hope of healing (Hollins, 2006). On the other hand, Mormonism believes that the use of drugs violates their health code.

Baha’I

Baha’ism believes in the spiritual powers of healing. They believe in the power of prayers in healing. Baha’ism accepts the display of devotional symbols of faith in houses and places of worship (Hollins, 2006). I believe that symbols denote a person’s faith that needs to be respected. Christians perceive symbols as important assets in prayers and display crosses in their homes and places of worship.

Baha’ism respects scientific methods of healing. They are open to lifestyles choices that support healing and advice their members to seek medical attention when necessary. They believe in the combination of both spiritual and physical healing. Baha’is patients are very cooperative in following medical instructions. They also respect medical practitioners and treat them with respect. They believe that prayers and most importantly caregivers support their lives (Hollins, 2006). My beliefs and trust in medical care outweigh the spirituality aspect of healing. I trust caregivers more than I can trust my prayers when it comes to the process of healing. Christianity believes in both prayer and medicinal care in healing.

Baha’i faith does not have priests or members of the clergy who pray and offer spiritual nourishment to patients in hospitals. Instead, they visit members of the local spiritual assembly for healing prayers. In fact, Baha’i does not allow clergy members of faiths to read or preach the Quran, Old Testament, New Testament or the Baha’i sacred book (Hollins, 2006). Baha’is’ point of view is different from my own and that of the Christian faith. Personally, I believe that the clergy has the spiritual gift of healing both body and mind. Christians believe in offering prayers to the sick in hospital. The clergy pray and visit the sick in hospitals.

Sikh

Sikhism believes in the sacredness of the human body. The body connects individuals to God; hence, God brings sickness. Sikhism believes in God’s power of healing. They read the scriptures for spiritual nourishment (Hollins, 2006). Patients from this faith recite Shabs and call God’s name in the belief of quick healing. Patients also listen to holy hymns. Both Sikhism and Christianity believe in God as the healer and pray to God for healing. At times, I ask, why people have to shout and sing aloud, yet God is a spiritual being who speaks to people’s hearts. The scenario of singing hymns and singing makes me amazed. Somehow, I do not concur with the faith, and I believe that communication to God should be done silently. However, I recognize the importance of listening to hymns and reading from the scriptures for spiritual nourishment. To Christians, reading scriptures and more so, the power of prayers provide complete spiritual nourishment.

Sikhism believes that God works through medicine and science. However, in some situations, patients believe that the will of God outweighs medical procedures. As a result, many do not value the work of health professionals. I perceive this to be amusing because scientific medicines work better than seeking help from an invisible being. Christian’s perception is that medical procedures and spiritual healing go hand in hand. None of the two out weights the other.

Meditation is an important element in the treatment. Sikhism believes meditation increase immunity that helps the body fighting illnesses naturally. They also believe that meditation makes them accomplish God’s will (Hollins, 2006). From my outlook, meditation is an important aspect that brings one’s spiritual life close to God that increases people’s spirituality. However, the notion of meditation increasing immunity is quite funny and interesting. On the other hand, Christianity beliefs that the power of healing is acquired mainly through prayers and not meditation.

Buddhism

Buddhism believes Karma is the cause of sickness and injury. According to the law, Buddhists believe that people create their own destiny through the personal creation of thoughts, words and actions (Harvey, 2006). Therefore, illness may result from an individual’s thoughts or actions. Personally, I believe that sickness is a natural phenomenon, and no one decides when to get sick. Human beings do not create their own destiny, but there is a supreme being responsible for all people’s actions. On the other hand, Christians contrasts with Buddhists, as they believe that God is the cause of sickness, and no person can refute that.

Buddhists believe in achieving the power of healing through careful meditation and use of herbs. They also believe that people exposure to harsh condition boosts people’s immune systems (Harvey, 2006). I certainly agree that meditation and the use of herbs can lead to healing. However, in some instances, people require medical examination in hospitals. Alternatively, the Christian perspective is that healing is acquired through prayers, and God is the origin of sickness.

Conclusion

So far, I have explored various faiths and noted major differences in philosophies regarding the provision of healthcare. I have acquired insights on the behavioral characteristics to expect when handling patients and of diverse faiths. I have also gained more insights on the contribution of the spiritual practices and beliefs to healing. The research has also enhanced my understanding on the importance of a spiritually fulfilling clinical environment to a patient. Insights acquired will help me in preparing patients wards and rooms. I will also be able to handle patients professionally by being mindful about their beliefs and religions.

References

Harvey, C. (2006). A Buddhist perspective on health and spirituality. Scottish Journal of Healthcare Chaplaincy, 9 (1), 33-35.

Hollins, S. (2006). Religions, Culture and Healthcare: A Practical Handbook for Use in Healthcare Environments. Oxon, United Kingdom: Radcliffe Publishing.

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