Topic 5 DQ 2  When it comes to facilitating spiritual care for patients with worldviews different from your own, what are your strengths and weaknesses? If you were the patient, who would have the final say in terms of ethical decision-making and intervention in the event of a difficult situation? Expert Answer Topic 5 DQ 2 Spiritual Care

It is usually for patients to have different worldviews from mine. One of my strengths is that I have a deep knowledge of different spiritual traditions and religions. I therefore understand most of the patient’s requirements and beliefs. For instance, patients from native communities are grounded in their connection to nature while patients who are Buddhists focus on the karma effect. This knowledge ensures that I understand where each patient is coming from and further ensures that I can relate to them positively (Hu et al., 2019).

Additionally, I am respectful of different spiritualities and open-minded to learn other people’s beliefs. This ensures that I am not judgmental when relating to patients and that I can listen to them as they share their beliefs. Another strength is my understanding that I must be flexible in spiritual care to ensure that I meet the needs of every patient.

I however have some weaknesses that I need to work on. One of my weaknesses is that I have biases, especially in cultures that seem to be oppressive to some people for instance to women. I have been working on this to ensure that I do not let my biases get in the way of influencing the way I relate to my patients. Another weakness is that although I might understand the different religious and spiritualities, I am not willing to partake in the processes especially if they disagree with my worldview. This can greatly inhibit my relationship with a patient but I usually delegate them to a colleague who is comfortable with the process.

I believe that the patient should have the final say in ethical decision-making. After informing the patient about the situation, the healthcare practitioners must respect the patient’s autonomy and respect their decision (de Diego-Cordero et al., 2022). However, the patient needs to have an informed consent where they understand the risks and benefits of all their options before making any decision. If I was a patient, I would like my final say in decision-making to be respected no matter how controversial it might seem.

References

de Diego-Cordero, R., Ávila-Mantilla, A., Vega-Escaño, J., Lucchetti, G., & Badanta, B. (2022). The Role of Spirituality and Religiosity in Healthcare During the COVID-19 Pandemic: An Integrative Review of the Scientific Literature. Journal of Religion and Health, 61(3). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10943-022-01549-x