First and foremost, perspectives that follow spirituality, religion, and prayer related to treatment and medicine can be viewed from a historical approach. This view has been known to weigh heavily on chronic patients when it comes to their understanding of pain and decisions about pain management (Unruh, 2007). For example, psychicans of the Middle Ages strongly believed in managing pain and disease through religious rituals, sacrificial offering, and/or prayer (Unruh 2007; Castiglioni, 1975). Focusing in on prayer, evidence supports that prayer can be used as a coping mechanism for health concerns. Positive forms of religious coping have had explicit effects on both mental and physical health. Therefore, resulting in more overall positive …show more content…
Pargament (2013) states that “many groups dealing with major life stressors such as natural disaster, illness, loss of loved ones, divorce, and serious mental illness” has shown that religion and spirituality are helpful to use as a type of coping technique. It is especially useful for people who have fewer resources and those who face problems that are more likely to be uncontrolled. However, the reasons for these associations are unclear. The essential question then becomes “what is it about religion and spirituality that accounts for their link to health?” (Hill & Paragment, …show more content…
Regardless of the lack of evidence, spiritual views have been intertwined with beliefs about pain and suffering (Unruh, 2007). The use of prayer as a religious coping strategy is widespread and is often believed to have positive effects on physical disorders, including pain. A recent review of the literature on religion and spirituality n chronic pain populations revealed that in three different survey studies, prayer was either the primary or second most frequently used coping strategy used to deal with physical pain (Koenig 2001; Rippentrop 2005). It is noteworthy that the potential pain-relieving effects of prayer have never been tested in a controlled experimental setting (Jegindo, Vase, Skewes, Terkelsen, Hansen, Geertz, Roepstorff & Jensen, 2012). Religious beliefs and practices are complex phenomena and the use of prayer may be mediated by psychological factors known to be related to pain experience (Jegindo, Vase, Skewes, Terkelsen, Hansen, Geertz, Roepstorff & Jensen,
It is estimated that around a dozen U.S. children will die in faith-healing cases each year. Typically associated with Christianity, Faith healing is founded on the belief that certain people or places have the ability to cure and heal sickness, disease, or injuries. Typically this “healing” is associated by a close connection to a higher power through prayer, divine intervention, or the ministration of an individual who claims himself as a healer. Faith has been scientifically proven in the field psychology to yield benefits to health. Although faith has promised a greater wellbeing for many individual’s lives, it has yet to be a significant replacement for medication many people but relaying on faith as a means for medication.
Smyth uses a two-phase research study with questionnaires to assess how nurses effectively use spirituality on their acute care units. He found that nurses do not have a clear definition of spirituality or concept of it, but understand it is vital to patient care (Smyth, 2011). This is vital to my PICOT statement because it shows nurses want to implement a spiritual assessment, but they need a clearer understanding of what spirituality includes to better help the patient. Another article is Spirituality Self-care Effects on Quality of Life for Patients Diagnosed with Chronic Illness by White. This article expands on the Orem’s self-care deficit including spiritual self-care practices, using a study looking at the impact integrating spirituality has on the health of the patient. They found, “the use of spirituality self-care practices can promote quality of life through participation in interpersonal and intrapersonal activities that give meaning to life” (White, 2013). This is important to my PICOT because it shows the positive effects of spirituality on the quality of life the patient can have with it included versus the outcome without it. The final article is Spiritual care at the end of life, written by Wynne. Wynne looks at how health care professionals should include spirituality especially in palliative care because it
Religion can be defined in many ways and has different meanings for different people; some say religion is a belief in a god or gods. According to (Religion, 2015) religion is defined as faith in a divinely created order of the world. Places of worship vary from churches, temples, and mosques to list a few. For many, religion is turned to in times of distress and confusion. Many seek assistance through religion similar to how client seeks assistance from therapy. In the past religion has been used to heal, which begs the question does religion belong in therapy? In this essay I will discuss religion in therapy.
J., Puchalski, C. M., & Peteet, J. R. (2014). The relationship between medicine, spirituality, and religion: three models for integration. Journal of Religion and Health, 53(5), 1586-1598. doi:10.1007/s10943-014-9901-8
In 1931, the French medical missionary Dr. Albert Schweitzer wrote, "Pain is a more terrible lord of mankind than even death itself." Today, pain has become the universal disorder, a serious and costly public health issue, and a challenge for family, friends, and health care providers who must give support to the individual suffering from the physical as well as the emotional consequences of pain (1).
Developing a sense of wholeness and having an established relationship with their creator, can assist the individual with maintaining stability during times of illness, stress, or when a cure is not possible. This can facilitate a source of healing within, which will promote the health of members in the faith based community. “To promote healing, the nurse builds on strengths to encourage the connecting and integrating of the inner spiritual” (Stanhope, Marcia, & Lancaster, 2012, p. 972). Connecting with the inner spiritual is an important aspect because it can assist the individual with making healthier lifestyle choices. By making healthier lifestyle choices, the individual will achieve their optimal health or wellness and this will be beneficial for the individual and faith based
I can distinguish between, various disorders and their impact on the patient such as Bipolar affective disorder and the distinct stages of mania and affect, the patient is presenting with, exposure to mental health disorders as an extension of the individual including symptoms and presentation has significantly contributing to my understanding of the mental health. the diversity and range he along the spectrum has increased my understanding as well as treatment services such as TMS AND ECT Although the analysis demonstrates the success of religious integration in group therapy and cohesion, it is necessary to consider individuals from other religions and those who are not religious or atheist. Sigurdardottir’s et al. (2016) wellness program may have shown prominent success due to the program leaning towards general activities such as yoga, art therapy and relaxation exercises with a focus on mind and body, irrespective of religious affiliation. Likewise, Tutty, Bubbins-Wagner and Rothery’s (2015) evaluation of the 14-week therapy program, You’re Not Alone also demonstrated improved mental wellbeing of the participants based on the interventions like character building, positive reinforcement and active role play which highlighted aggressive, abusive characters and the typical behaviours in relationships. the ability to interatw with a patient,
There are many religions in our world today which healthcare providers must be prepared to appreciate without bias to any one particular religion and expression of spirituality as they give care. Like the Christian and the Shinto, most, if not all religion practices are similar, even though they may have different deities. Nurses will find their patients inclining to practicing their beliefs for healing, such as praying for healing, meditate on their maker and reflection on their lives while they are experiencing illnesses. Families will desire to exercise rituals whether by simply praying or usage of incenses or having communion with bread and wine. Each person has their opinion on the disease process and the best method of curing. Health Care providers should bear in mind that during illnesses, patients exercise the most need for spirituality. Respect and tolerance for them to be involved in whichever method that will bring comfort and healing to their minds and bodies should be afforded. Getting patients to be comfortable and enjoy rest is a positive step in achieving health
Religious beliefs provide structure for people who are facing illnesses and seeking health, during time of crisis. The health care industry is rapidly responding to the ever-changing population through continued education. Health care works are faced with multiple dilemmas that require thought and fast-acting decisions. Challenges of providing medical treatment to people of different religious backgrounds may be altered. All members of the health care team need to address the issues and concerns regarding specific health care practices and religious beliefs and remove their perspective from the situation. The following paper will discuss three different religions while incorporating a comparison of beliefs, perspective on healing and the perspective on health care to that of the Christian Religion.
The existence of pain and suffering in a world created by a good and almighty God is a fundamental theological dilemma and may be the most serious objection to the Christian religion. In the book, The Problem Of Pain , author C.S. Lewis addresses the issue of pain as a mere problem that demands a solution; he formulates it and goes about solving it. "If God were good, He would make His creatures perfectly happy, and if He were almighty He would be able to do what He wished. But the creatures are not happy. Therefore God lacks either goodness, or power, or both" (p. 16). According to Lewis, this is the problem of pain in its simplest form. In his attempt to solve the problem of pain Lewis evaluates the past and the origin of religion, he offers his interpretation of the various justifications for why pain exists in today's society, and explains how one should deal with pain in order to live out God's will in the future. This essay will examine these rationales and will conclude with an analysis on how Lewis handles the four foundational sources for understanding the will of God through scripture, tradition, history, and modern context.
There is evidence suggesting that attention to one’s spirituality influences the ability to cope with illness, help in the prevention of illn...
Spirituality is often confused and intertwined with the concept of religion, causing health care professionals to flee (Govier 2000). It is important to avoid the stereotypical view of spirituality being purely religious, and recognize that spirituality affects all that we are and do; regardless of religious affiliation, or lack of (Govier 2000). In instances in which nurses endorsed the importance of spirituality many were still unsure as to how to go about providing such care (Nixon et al., 2013). Education and guidance facilitating the implementation of spiritual care is limited; lack of adequate training and education is evident (Nixon et al. 2013).Common in more instances, spirituality is just not seen as a priority within the healthcare system with which nurses work (Nixon et al., 2013). Spirituality continues to be seen as a burden; financially, economically, and politically (Nixon et al., 2013). Inadequate staffing and economic constraints of the highly pressurized work environment place the focus of nursing care back to the physical domain rather than the holistic, despite recognition of its importance (Nixon et al.
In healthcare organizations, medical staff must conform to their hospital and their country’s code of conduct. Not only do they have to meet set standards, they must also take their patient into consideration. When making a decision upon a patient, medical staff must recognize religious backgrounds and spiritual beliefs. By understanding a patients’ beliefs and their belief system, a medical worker can give the patient their deserved medical assistance without overstepping boundaries or coming off as offensive. The practices and beliefs of four religions will be articulated throughout this essay to fully understand how religion can either help or hinder the healing process.
Throughout history, religion has helped form the basic fabric of society. From an early age, religion provided the answers to any unexplainable natural phenomena. The question of why the world worked in a particular way was easily answered with “because [name of deity] made it that way.” Religion was everywhere; everyone had their own ideas about how the world worked and what their role was in the universe. Each likeminded group held that their religious beliefs were the root cause of their happiness and general satisfaction with life. Centuries of religious dominance eventually gave birth to a widespread idea that strong religious beliefs are essential to living a happy and fulfilling life. Even today, in a society dominated by scientific advances, religion finds a niche in catering to people’s spiritual needs. Indeed, despite the societal changes that have occurred in modern times, religion has remained largely unchanged since its early days. The belief that religion factors heavily into one’s life satisfaction and happiness has also remained much the same, despite today’s complex and ever-changing society. The problem lies where religion is viewed as a major way to achieve happiness, and this perspective can lead to blind acceptance of religion solely on the basis of its supposed universal benefits. Basically, a new way of looking at religion is needed: seeing it not as the end-all happiness tool, but as a small factor in a complex web of happiness and well-being.
Testerman, J. K. (1997, June). Spirituality vs religion: Implications for healthcare. Retrieved May 22, 2011, from http://www.aiias.edu/ict/vol_19.19cc_283-297.pdf