Health Care Provider and Faith Diversity

HLT302

HLT 302 Grand Canyon Week 10 Assignment

Health Care Provider and Faith Diversity Final Draft

Your instructor will send you your peer-reviewed assignment from Module 4.

Use the comments from the peer review to revise your document and turn it into a final draft. Not all comments need to be followed. Use your best judgment in revising your first draft to an assignment that better meets the requirements of the original assignment, found in Module 3.

This assignment uses a grading rubric. Instructors will be using the rubric to grade the assignment; therefore, students should review the rubric prior to beginning the assignment to become familiar with the assignment criteria and expectations for successful completion of the assignment.

Health Care Provider and Faith Diversity: First Draft

The practice of health care providers at all levels brings you into contact with people from a variety of faiths. This calls for knowledge and acceptance of a diversity of faith expressions.

The purpose of this paper is to complete a comparative analysis of two faith philosophies towards providing health care, one being the Christian perspective. For the second faith, choose a faith that is unfamiliar to you. Examples of faiths to choose from: Sikh, Baha’i, Buddhism, Shintoism, etc.

In a minimum of 1,500-2,000 words, provide a comparative analysis of the different belief systems, reinforcing major themes with insights gained from your research.

In your comparative analysis, address all of the worldview questions in detail for Christianity and your selected faith. Refer to chapter 2 of the Called to Care: A Christian Worldview for Nursing for the list of questions. Be sure to address the implications of these beliefs for health care.

In addition answer the following questions that address the practical and healthcare implications based on the research:

1-What are critical common components to all religions/beliefs in regards to healing, such as prayer, meditation, belief, etc.? Explain.

2-What is important to patients of the faiths when cared for by health care providers whose spiritual beliefs differ from their own?

In your conclusion, describe your own spiritual perspective on healing, what you have learned from the research and how this learning can be applied to a health care provider.

Support your position by referencing at least three academic resources (preferably from the GCU Library) in addition to the course readings, the Bible, and the textbooks for each religion. Each religion must have a primary source included. A total of six references are required according to the specifications listed above. Incorporate the research into your writing in an appropriate, scholarly manner.

Prepare this assignment according to the APA guidelines found in the APA Style Guide, located in the Student Success Center. An abstract is required.

This assignment uses a rubric. Please review the rubric prior to beginning the assignment to become familiar with the expectations for successful completion.

You are required to submit this assignment to Turnitin. Please refer to the directions in the Student Success Center.

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Health Care Provider and Faith Diversity

Introduction

Healthcare providers are increasingly being asked to serve patients with diverse religious backgrounds, beliefs, and traditions. This is true for many reasons, including the growing number of people who identify as spiritual but not religious or no religion at all. In addition, as more people come from different faith traditions, it becomes important for health care providers to understand how these differences might affect patient care.

Diversity of patients’ faith traditions are increasing in the U.S. as well as many other countries

As you can see, the number of people who are not affiliated with any religion has increased significantly in recent years. In fact, it’s estimated that by 2050 there will be more people with no religious affiliation than currently exist worldwide.

Given this fact, it is important for health care providers to be aware of how their patients may or may not be impacted by religious diversity when talking about their health concerns. It is also important for them to take steps towards ensuring that everyone feels comfortable discussing these topics with them.

If a patient asks you questions about your own faith tradition or what it means for you personally then don’t hesitate! You should absolutely feel free to share your beliefs and values as long as they don’t conflict with those of another person’s beliefs or values; otherwise, anything else goes!

Commonalities and differences between religions

There are many commonalities and differences between religions, but the most important thing to remember is that all of them are different. When you’re talking about religious diversity, it’s important to keep in mind how each faith operates—what their beliefs are and how they practice them.

You should also be aware of cultural factors when thinking about religion: for example, if you’re from a country where Christianity isn’t as prevalent as it might be elsewhere in the world (or vice versa), then your understanding of what constitutes religious diversity may be different than someone who grew up in that same culture with very few Christians around them.

Commonalities between religions

All religions have a belief in a supreme being, an afterlife and souls. They also share commonalities of family and community values.

All religions have a belief in the importance of family, community and life after death.

Differences between religions

There are many differences between the religions that practice medicine. Some are more accepting of other religions than others, but all have their own rules and beliefs.

Some examples:

Jewish doctors don’t use any lotions or oils on patients due to dietary restrictions (e.g., no pork).
Muslims don’t shake hands with patients, so they must learn this skill before entering the field as a doctor or nurse practitioner (NP).

Religious Holidays and Observances

Religious holidays and observances are important to patients. Religious holidays and observances are also important to healthcare providers, who want their patients’ religious holidays and observances respected.

This can be difficult for physicians in a secular setting, where there is no official policy for recognizing or accommodating religious practice (e.g., when it comes to patient scheduling conflicts). Providers should be prepared for this situation by discussing with colleagues how they will handle requests from patients who want accommodations due their religious beliefs or practices during treatment plans.

Patients’ Attitudes about Religion and Healthcare

In a study of more than 1,000 patients in five states, researchers found that people who have faith-based health care providers were significantly more likely to believe that God is watching over them (59 percent) and will reward them if they follow their faith (58 percent). Patients also reported that religious organizations offer better social support networks than secular organizations do.

Patients may feel comfortable discussing their beliefs with a healthcare provider because they are often told that religion has no bearing on treatment decisions or outcomes. However, this assumption can lead to confusion for patients who want answers about what will happen during treatments or procedures—even though doctors may not know the answer themselves!

Healthcare Providers’ Attitudes about Religion and Healthcare

Healthcare providers’ attitudes about religion and spirituality are a key factor in the health of patients, especially those with a faith tradition. While some providers may be open to working with patients who practice a particular religion or have spiritual beliefs, others are more likely to turn away from this type of patient.

One study found that inpatient nurses were more likely than other healthcare workers (such as physicians) to have negative attitudes toward religious patients. In addition, these nurses felt that “religious belief” was associated with poor quality care for certain conditions such as depression and cancer treatment; however, this did not translate into actual discrimination against religious patients by any means.

Barriers to Providers’ Self-Efficacy in Addressing Patient Spirituality

Lack of training.
Lack of time.
Difficulty in knowing how to address religion with patients, especially when it comes to discussing death and dying issues.
Fear of offending patients or being sued by them if you do not offer spiritual care or have any desire whatsoever to discuss religious beliefs at all (which can lead to miscommunication).

Healthcare providers can practice evidence-based spiritual care

You may be wondering, “How can I practice evidence-based spirituality?”

Evidence-based spirituality is a practice that uses the best available evidence to make informed decisions about health care. Evidence comes from many sources and includes research on clinical effectiveness; cost effectiveness; cost savings; patient satisfaction; and more. It’s important to note that not all religions are compatible with evidence-based spiritual care (see below).

The main barrier to practicing EBSC is cost. Many healthcare providers struggle with finding time in their busy schedules for these types of activities, which makes it difficult for them to implement them effectively within their practices or organizations

Conclusion

In conclusion, it is important for healthcare providers to be aware of the faith diversity of their patients. Because religious traditions are diverse and have evolved over time, understanding and respecting these differences can help ensure that patients receive the care they need. Healthcare providers should also be aware that their own beliefs may affect how they interact with patients who have different spiritual practices. With this in mind, they might want to discuss these issues with their colleagues or seek professional training programs designed specifically for practitioners who want more information about spirituality within medicine.

Nursing Worker

Health Care Provider and Faith Diversity