Kerry Murphy
Grand Canyon University
Spirituality in Health Care
HLT310V
Professor Garfield C. Browne
June 13, 2014
Abstract
Within the health care system of today, many health care providers are introduced to various religious beliefs and practices through caring for those patients and families from different cultures. In order for competent medical treatment to be performed, the health care providers must take into account the religious beliefs of those in our care to deliver good and effective quality of care. This paper will examine this student’s point of view on Christianity and compare it with Native American Spirituality, Hinduism, and Buddhistic …show more content…
Conception is believed to be a blessing from God by Christians. Native American Spirituality believes that a person’s health is brought about through actions and interactions they have with the spirit world and wholeness is derived from the balance between the universe and the spirit world. Sickness derives from the imbalance with the spirit world and is causation of disharmony within the individual ("Guidelines for Native American Indians," 2004). Christians have faith that God watches over the individual and prevents sickness from occurring. Native American Spiritual care is important through healing rituals which are performed at ceremonies and attended by family, tribe, along with a medical healer, either man or woman (Robinson, 2008). Christians have faith and pray to God that He heals those affected with sickness and diseases. If hospitalized, those of Native American Spirituality rely upon items which are considered sacred and powered by the Great Spirit which are in possession of the patient around the clock for healing ("Guidelines for Native American Indians," 2004). As stated above, a Christians’ faith and belief that prayer is sacred and He answers prayers for good health and healing. When death happens, those of …show more content…
Hinduism is a way of life. Hindu’s worship multiple deities, but Christians’ only believe in a single God, who created the ethereal and temporal worlds. Hindu’s adorn themselves ornamental clothing that have a specific religious meaning and some Christians wear special trinkets of faith, according to different denominations. Hindu’s are noted to pray three times a day and depending on the denomination, Christians will attend church several times a week to only once a week. Hindu’s believe in reincarnation once death has transpired (Sharma, 2002), while Christians believe upon death, the soul ascends to heaven and the body stays on