PHI413 Ethical and Spiritual Decision Making in Health Care
Week 1 Assignment
Worldview Analysis and Personal Inventory
Assessment Description
This assignment will introduce you to the concept of worldview. It will also provide you with a fundamental understanding of Christian spirituality that looks to the union of body, mind, soul, and spirit, along with how those beliefs inform a unique ethical awareness and decision-making in professional practice. In addition, you will gain knowledge about your own personal beliefs, according to your own worldview.
After reading topic Resources, you will complete the "Worldview Analysis and Personal Inventory" document in a maximum of 1,500 words, which includes prompts related to the following:
Christian perspective of the nature of spirituality and ethics
Scientism and two of the main arguments against it
Ultimate reality
Nature (origin) of the universe
What it means to be a human being and purpose in your existence
What knowledge is and sources of knowledge
Ethics and where the knowledge of right and wrong comes from
Purpose of human life and existence
Influence of personal worldview values in decision-making within current or future professional practice
Support your response using only Chapter 1 from the textbook Practicing Dignity: An Introduction to Christian Values and Decision-Making in Health Care and two other Topic 1 Resources.
While APA style is not required for the body of this assignment, solid academic writing is expected, and documentation of sources should be presented using APA formatting guidelines, which can be found in the APA Style Guide, located in the Student Success Center.
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 LopesWrite. A link to the LopesWrite technical support articles is located in Class Resources if you need assistance.
American Association of Colleges of Nursing Core Competencies for Professional Nursing Education
This assignment aligns with the AACN Core Competency: 1.2
Worldview Analysis and Personal Inventory
After reading the topic Resources, respond to the following, using only citations from the topic Resources:
1.Based on the topic Resources, in 250-300 words, explain the Christian perspective of the nature of spirituality and ethics.
2.Based on the topic Resources, in 250-300 words, explain the term scientism and describe two of the main arguments against it.
3.Respond to each of the worldview prompts according to your personal worldview, or "your own personal beliefs that comprise your worldview."
a.In 125-150 words, explain ultimate reality.
b.In 125-150 words, explain the nature (origin) of the universe.
c.In 125-150 words, explain what it means to be a human being and if there is purpose in human life and existence.
d.In 125-150 words, explain what knowledge is and what the sources of knowledge are.
e.In 125-150 words, explain ethics and where the knowledge of right and wrong comes from.
f.In 125-150 words, explain the purpose of your life and existence.
4.In 125-150 words, explain the influence of your personal worldview values in decision-making within current or future professional practice.
PHI413 Ethical and Spiritual Decision Making in Health Care
Week 2 Assignment
Assessment Description
This assignment will focus on introducing you to the question of human dignity and, in particular, the Christian perspective of the intrinsic worth and value of each person. You will have the opportunity to integrate this insight with scientific and philosophical approaches that inform judgements made in health care and contrast it with secular approaches to human value and worth. The logic of human rights will be made explicit as you engage with different concepts of "moral status."
Based on your reading of the "Case Study: Fetal Abnormality" and topic Resources, complete the "Moral Status: Case Analysis" document in a maximum of 1,000-words, in which you will analyze the case study in relation to the following:
Christian view of the nature of human persons, theory of moral status, intrinsic human value, and dignity
Theory or theories used by individuals in the case to determine the moral status
How each theory used determines or influences recommendations for action
Moral status theory personal response
Integration of knowledge in health care (theories, multiple ways of knowing, evidence) and knowledge from other disciplines inform and support current or future professional health care practices and judgements
Support your response using only Chapter 2 from the textbook Practicing Dignity: An Introduction to Christian Values and Decision-Making in Health Care and the Topic 2 Resource "The Image of God, Bioethics, and Persons With Profound Intellectual Disabilities."
While APA style is not required for the body of this assignment, solid academic writing is expected, and documentation of sources should be presented using APA formatting guidelines, which can be found in the APA Style Guide, located in the Student Success Center.
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 LopesWrite. A link to the LopesWrite technical support articles is located in Class Resources if you need assistance.
American Association of Colleges of Nursing Core Competencies for Professional Nursing Education
This assignment aligns with AACN Core Competencies: 1.3
Case Study: Fetal Abnormality
Jessica is a 30-year-old immigrant from Mexico City. She and her husband Marco have been in the United States for the last three years and have finally earned enough money to move out of their Aunt Maria’s home and into an apartment of their own. They are both hard workers. Jessica works 50 hours a week at a local restaurant and Marco has been contracting side jobs in construction. Six months before their move to an apartment, Jessica finds out she is pregnant. Four months later, Jessica and Marco arrive at the county hospital, a large, public, nonteaching hospital. A preliminary ultrasound indicates a possible abnormality with the fetus. Further scans are conducted, and it is determined that the fetus has a rare condition in which it has not developed any arms and will not likely develop them. There is also a 25% chance that the fetus may have Down syndrome. Dr. Wilson, the primary attending physician, is seeing Jessica for the first time, since she and Marco did not receive earlier prenatal care over concerns about finances. Marco insists that Dr. Wilson refrain from telling Jessica the scan results, assuring him that he will tell his wife himself when she is emotionally ready for the news. While Marco and Dr. Wilson are talking in another room, Aunt Maria walks into the room with a distressed look on her face. She can tell that something is wrong and inquires of Dr. Wilson. After hearing of the diagnosis, she walks out of the room wailing loudly and praying aloud. Marco and Dr. Wilson continue their discussion, and Dr. Wilson insists that he has an obligation to Jessica as his patient and that she has a right to know the diagnosis of the fetus. He furthermore is intent on discussing all relevant factors and options regarding the next step, including abortion. Marco insists on taking some time to think of how to break the news to Jessica, but Dr. Wilson, frustrated with the direction of the conversation, informs the husband that such a choice is not his to make. Dr. Wilson proceeds back across the hall, where he walks in on Aunt Maria awkwardly praying with Jessica and phoning the priest. At that point, Dr. Wilson gently but briefly informs Jessica of the diagnosis and lays out the option for abortion as a responsible medical alternative, given the quality of life such a child would have. Jessica looks at him and struggles to hold back her tears.Jessica is torn between her hopes of a better socioeconomic position and increased independence, along with her conviction that all life is sacred. Marco will support Jessica in whatever decision she makes but is finding it difficult not to view the pregnancy and the prospects of a disabled child as a burden and a barrier to their economic security and plans. Dr. Wilson lays out all of the options but clearly makes his view known that abortion is “scientifically” and medically a wise choice in this situation. Aunt Maria pleads with Jessica to follow through with the pregnancy and allow what “God intends” to take place and urges Jessica to think of her responsibility as a mother.
Moral Status: Case Analysis
After reading of the "Case Study: Fetal Abnormality" and other topic Resources, respond to the following, using only citations from the case and topic Resources:
1.Based on the case and other topic Resources, in 500-600 words, what is the Christian view of the nature of human persons, and which theory of moral status is it compatible with? How is this related to the intrinsic human value and dignity?
2.Based on the case and other topic Resources, in 250-300 words, which theory or theories are being used by Jessica, Marco, Maria, and Dr. Wilson to determine the moral status of the fetus? What from the case study specifically leads you to believe that they hold the theory you selected?
3.Based on the case and other topic Resources, in 250-300 words, how does each theory used determine or influence each of their recommendations for action?
4.Based on the case and other topic Resources, in 250-300 words, what theory do you personally agree with and why? How would that theory determine or influence your recommended action?
5.Based on the case and other topic Resources, in 250-300 words, how does the integration of knowledge in health care (theories, multiple ways of knowing, evidence) and knowledge from other disciplines inform and support your current or future professional health care practices and judgements?
PHI413 Ethical and Spiritual Decision Making in Health Care
Week 3 Assignment
Biomedical Ethics in the Christian Narrative: Case Analysis
This assignment will incorporate a common practical tool in helping clinicians begin to ethically analyze a case. Organizing the data by means of the four boxes approach to analyze the case will help you apply the four principles (beneficence, nonmaleficence, respect for autonomy, and justice).
Based on the reading of the "Case Study: Healing and Autonomy" and topic Resources, you will complete the "Applying the Four Principles: Case Study" document by including the following:
Part 1: Chart
This chart will formalize the application of the four boxes approach by organizing the data from the case study according to the relevant principles of biomedical ethics: autonomy, beneficence, nonmaleficence, and justice.
Part 2: Evaluation
This part includes questions, to be answered in a maximum of 500 words, that evaluate how the four principles approach would be applied according to the Christian worldview.
Support your response using only Chapter 3 from the textbook Practicing Dignity: An Introduction to Christian Values and Decision-Making in Health Care and the Topic 3 Resource "Rising to 'The Highest Morals' -The Rich History of Nursing Ethics."
While APA style is not required for the body of this assignment, solid academic writing is expected, and documentation of sources should be presented using APA formatting guidelines, which can be found in the APA Style Guide, located in the Student Success Center.
You are required to submit this assignment to LopesWrite. A link to the LopesWrite technical support articles is located in Class Resources if you need assistance.
Case Study: Healing and Autonomy
Mike and Joanne are the parents of James and Samuel, identical twins born 8 years ago. James is currently suffering from acute glomerulonephritis, kidney failure. James was originally brought into the hospital for complications associated with a strep throat infection. The spread of the A streptococcus infection led to the subsequent kidney failure. James’s condition was acute enough to warrant immediate treatment. Usually cases of acute glomerulonephritis caused by strep infection tend to improve on their own or with an antibiotic. However, James also had elevated blood pressure and enough fluid buildup that required temporary dialysis to relieve. The attending physician suggested immediate dialysis. After some time of discussion with Joanne, Mike informs the physician that they are going to forego the dialysis and place their faith in God. Mike and Joanne had been moved by a sermon their pastor had given a week ago, and also had witnessed a close friend regain mobility when she was prayed over at a healing service after a serious stroke. They thought it more prudent to take James immediately to a faith healing service instead of putting James through multiple rounds of dialysis. Yet, Mike and Joanne agreed to return to the hospital after the faith healing services later in the week, and in hopes that James would be healed by then. Two days later the family returned and was forced to place James on dialysis, as his condition had deteriorated. Mike felt perplexed and tormented by his decision to not treat James earlier. Had he not enough faith? Was God punishing him or James? To make matters worse, James's kidneys had deteriorated such that his dialysis was now not a temporary matter and was in need of a kidney transplant. Crushed and desperate, Mike and Joanne immediately offered to donate one of their own kidneys to James, but they were not compatible donors. Over the next few weeks, amidst daily rounds of dialysis, some of their close friends and church members also offered to donate a kidney to James. However, none of them were tissue matches. James’s nephrologist called to schedule a private appointment with Mike and Joanne. James was stable, given the regular dialysis, but would require a kidney transplant within the year. Given the desperate situation, the nephrologist informed Mike and Joanne of a donor that was an ideal tissue match, but as of yet had not been considered—James’s brother Samuel. Mike vacillates and struggles to decide whether he should have his other son Samuel lose a kidney or perhaps wait for God to do a miracle this time around. Perhaps this is where the real testing of his faith will come in? Mike reasons, “This time around it is a matter of life and death. What could require greater faith than that?”
Topic 3: Applying the Four Principles: Case Study
Part 1: Chart (60 points)
Based on the reading of the "Case Study: Healing and Autonomy" and topic Resources, use the four boxes approach to organize relevant ethical issues related to the four principles (beneficence, nonmaleficence, respect for autonomy, and justice). Provide the information by means of bullet points with complete sentences in the box. Gather as much data as possible within this 1-page chart.
Medical IndicationsBeneficence and NonmaleficencePatient PreferencesAutonomy•<complete sentence about ethical issue>••<complete sentence about ethical issue>•Quality of LifeBeneficence, Nonmaleficence, AutonomyContextual FeaturesJustice and Fairness•<complete sentence about ethical issue>••<complete sentence about ethical issue>
Part 2: Evaluation
Answer each of the following questions about how the four principles approach and four boxes approach would be applied:
1.In 200-250 words answer the following: According to the Christian worldview, how would each of the principles be specified in this case? Explain why. (45 points)
2.In 200-250 words answer the following: According to the Christian worldview, how might a Christian weigh and balance each of the four principles in this case? Explain why. (45 points)
PHI413 Ethical and Spiritual Decision Making in Health Care
Week 4 Assignment
Death and Dying: Case Analysis
The practice of health care providers at all levels brings you into contact with people from a variety of faiths. This calls for basic knowledge and understanding of different faith expressions. No matter what someone's worldview is, death and dying is a difficult experience whether emotions are expressed or not. For the purpose of this assignment, the focus will be on the Christian worldview.
Read the "Case Study: End-of-Life Decisions" document or one provided by your instructor. Based on the reading of the case, the Christian worldview, and the worldview questions presented in the required topic Resources, you will complete an ethical analysis of situation of the individual(s) and their decisions from the perspective of the Christian worldview.
Based on your reading of "Case Study: End-of-Life Decisions" document (or one provided by your instructor) and topic Resources, complete the "Death and Dying: Case Analysis" document in a maximum of 2,000 words, in which you will analyze the case study in relation to the following:
Christian view of the fallen world and the hope of resurrection
Christian worldview of the value of life
Christian worldview of suffering
Empathy for the individual(s) as they are supported and cared, actions, and their consequences
Respect for the perspectives of individual(s) different from personal and professional values, conscious and unconscious biases related to human rights in health care practice, actions, and their consequences
Personal decision-making based on personal worldview
Support your response using only the following Topic 4 Resources:
Chapter 4 from the textbook Practicing Dignity: An Introduction to Christian Values and Decision-Making in Health Care
"Physician-Assisted Suicide and Euthanasia: Theological and Ethical Responses"
"Always Care, Never Kill: How Physician-Assisted Suicide Endangers the Weak, Corrupts Medicine, Compromises the Family, and Violates Human Dignity and Equality"
While APA style is not required for the body of this assignment, solid academic writing is expected, and documentation of sources should be presented using APA formatting guidelines, which can be found in the APA Style Guide, located in the Student Success Center.
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 LopesWrite. A link to the LopesWrite technical support articles is located in Class Resources if you need assistance.
American Association of Colleges of Nursing Core Competencies for Professional Nursing Education
This assignment aligns with AACN Core Competencies 9.1, 9.2, 9.6
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Case Study: End-of-Life Decisions
George is a successful attorney in his mid-fifties. He is also a legal scholar, holding a teaching post at the local university law school in Oregon. George is also actively involved in his teenage son’s basketball league, coaching regularly for their team. Recently, George has experienced muscle weakness and unresponsive muscle coordination. He was forced to seek medical attention after he fell and injured his hip. After an examination at the local hospital following his fall, the attending physician suspected that George may be showing early symptoms for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), a degenerative disease affecting the nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord. The week following the initial examination, further testing revealed a positive diagnosis of ALS. ALS is progressive and gradually causes motor neuron deterioration and muscle atrophy to the point of complete muscle control loss. There is currently no cure for ALS, and the median life expectancy is between 3 and 4 years, though it is not uncommon for some to live 10 or more years. The progressive muscle atrophy and deterioration of motor neurons lead to the loss of the ability to speak, move, eat, and breathe. However, sight, touch, hearing, taste, and smell are not affected. Patients will rely on a wheelchair and eventually need permanent ventilator support to assist with breathing. George and his family are devastated by the diagnosis. George knows that treatment options only attempt to slow down the degeneration, but the symptoms will eventually come. In contemplating his future life with ALS, George begins to dread the prospect of losing his mobility and even speech. He imagines his life in complete dependence upon others for basic everyday functions and perceives the possibility of eventually degenerating to the point at which he is a prisoner in his own body. Would he be willing to undergo such torture, such loss of his own dignity and power? George thus begins inquiring about the possibility of voluntary euthanasia.
Death and Dying: Case Analysis
After reading the "Case Study: End-of-Life Decisions" document (or one provided by your instructor) and topic Resources, respond to the following, using only citations from the case and other topic Resources:
1.Based on the case and other topic Resources, in 300-400 words, how might the individual(s) interpret their suffering in light of the Christian view of the fallen world and the hope of resurrection?
2.Based on the case and other topic Resources, in 300-400 words, as the individual(s) must contemplate life with their dilemma, how would the Christian worldview inform their view about the value of life as a person?
3.Based on the case and other topic Resources, in 300-400 words, how does the concept of suffering in a Christian worldview inform their deliberations about the choices they will make?
4.Based on the case and other topic Resources, in 150-200 words, how would you be able to come alongside and demonstrate empathy for the individual(s) as you support and care for them? Reflect on your actions and their consequences.
5.Based on the case and other topic Resources, in 150-200 words, how can you demonstrate respect for the perspectives of the individual(s) that may be different from your personal and professional values? Consider your conscious and unconscious biases in relationship to human rights in health care practice. Reflect on your actions and their consequences.
6.Based on the case, other topic Resources, and on your worldview, in 150-200 words, what decision would you make if you were in their situation? References
PHI413 Ethical and Spiritual Decision Making in Health Care
Week 5 Assignment
Benchmark - Patient's Spiritual Needs: Case Analysis
For this final assignment, you will be tasked to review your work in the Topic 3 case study and continue to analyze the case to best determine spiritual care interventions throughout their plan of care. In particular, the focus will be on the Christian application of the four principles, as well as appropriate options in providing a patient with spiritual care.
Based on the chart you completed and questions you answered in the Topic 3 about "Case Study: Healing and Autonomy" and reading the topic Resources, complete the "Patient's Spiritual Needs: Case Analysis" document in a maximum of 1,500 words, in which you will analyze the case study in relation to the following:
Patient autonomy
Christian perspective and actions related to sickness and health, principles of beneficence, and nonmaleficence
Spiritual needs assessment and appropriate interventions for all involved in providing care
Accountability that would demonstrate an ethical manner that reflects professional standards of practice and person-centered care and participatory approach to care
Note: Participatory approach to care calls for involving stakeholders, particularly the participants in a program or those affected by a given policy, in specific aspects of the evaluation process. The approach covers a wide range of different types of participation, and stakeholders can be involved at any stage of the impact evaluation process, including its design, data collection, analysis, reporting, and managing a study.
Also, person-centered care is "empowering people to take charge of their own health rather than being passive recipients of services" (WHO, 2021). This care strategy is based on the belief that patient views, input, and experiences can help improve overall health outcomes.
Support your response using only the following Topic 5 Resources:
Chapter 5 from the textbook Practicing Dignity: An Introduction to Christian Values and Decision-Making in Health Care
"Assessing Spiritual Health Through the Use of Spiritual Health Assessment Tools: Indications for End-of-Life Care"
"Faith-Sensitive End-of-Life Care for Children, Young People, and Their Families"
While APA style is not required for the body of this assignment, solid academic writing is expected, and documentation of sources should be presented using APA formatting guidelines, which can be found in the APA Style Guide, located in the Student Success Center.
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 LopesWrite. A link to the LopesWrite technical support articles is located in Class Resources if you need assistance.
Benchmark Information
This benchmark assignment assesses the following programmatic competencies:
BS Health Sciences
1.2: Assess for the spiritual needs and provide appropriate interventions for individuals, families, and groups.
BS Nursing (RN to BSN)
9.1: Demonstrate an ethical comportment in one's practice reflective of nursing's mission to society.
9.2: Employ participatory approach to nursing care.
9.3: Demonstrate accountability to the individual, society, and the profession.
9.5: Demonstrate the professional identity of nursing.
American Association of Colleges of Nursing Core Competencies for Professional Nursing Education
This assignment aligns with AACN Core Competencies: 2.8, 9.1, 9.2, 9.3, 9.5
Patient's Spiritual Needs: Case Analysis
After reviewing the Topic 3 "Case Study: Healing and Autonomy" chart and evaluation you completed and reading the topic Resources, respond to the following, using only citations from the case and topic Resources:
1.Based on the case and other topic Resources, in 200-250 words, should the physician allow Mike to continue making decisions that seem to him to be irrational and harmful to James, or would that mean a disrespect of a patient's autonomy? Explain your rationale.
2.Based on the case and other topic Resources, in 500-700 words, how ought a Christian think about sickness and health? How should a Christian think about medical intervention? What should Mike as a Christian do? How should he reason about trusting God and treating James in relation to what is truly honoring the principles of beneficence and nonmaleficence in James's care?
3.Based on the case and other topic Resources, in 200-250 words, how would a spiritual needs assessment help the physician assist Mike to determine the appropriate interventions for James and for his family or others involved in his care?
4.Based on the case and other topic Resources, in 250-300 words, how would accountability for Mike be demonstrated in an ethical manner that reflects professional standards of practice and a patient-centered care and participatory approach to care?
Case Study: Healing and Autonomy
Mike and Joanne are the parents of James and Samuel, identical twins born 8 years ago. James is currently suffering from acute glomerulonephritis, kidney failure. James was originally brought into the hospital for complications associated with a strep throat infection. The spread of the A streptococcus infection led to the subsequent kidney failure. James’s condition was acute enough to warrant immediate treatment. Usually cases of acute glomerulonephritis caused by strep infection tend to improve on their own or with an antibiotic. However, James also had elevated blood pressure and enough fluid buildup that required temporary dialysis to relieve. The attending physician suggested immediate dialysis. After some time of discussion with Joanne, Mike informs the physician that they are going to forego the dialysis and place their faith in God. Mike and Joanne had been moved by a sermon their pastor had given a week ago and also had witnessed a close friend regain mobility when she was prayed over at a healing service after a serious stroke. They thought it more prudent to take James immediately to a faith healing service instead of putting James through multiple rounds of dialysis. Yet, Mike and Joanne agreed to return to the hospital after the faith healing services later in the week, and in hopes that James would be healed by then. Two days later the family returned and was forced to place James on dialysis, as his condition had deteriorated. Mike felt perplexed and tormented by his decision to not treat James earlier. Had he not enough faith? Was God punishing him or James? To make matters worse, James's kidneys had deteriorated such that his dialysis was now not a temporary matter and was in need of a kidney transplant. Crushed and desperate, Mike and Joanne immediately offered to donate one of their own kidneys to James, but they were not compatible donors. Over the next few weeks, amidst daily rounds of dialysis, some of their close friends and church members also offered to donate a kidney to James. However, none of them were tissue matches. James’s nephrologist called to schedule a private appointment with Mike and Joanne. James was stable, given the regular dialysis, but would require a kidney transplant within the year. Given the desperate situation, the nephrologist informed Mike and Joanne of a donor that was an ideal tissue match, but as of yet had not been considered—James’s brother Samuel. Mike vacillates and struggles to decide whether he should have his other son Samuel lose a kidney or perhaps wait for God to do a miracle this time around. Perhaps this is where the real testing of his faith will come in? Mike reasons, “This time around it is a matter of life and death. What could require greater faith than that?”
