Benchmark - Patient's Spiritual Needs: Case Analysis

Medical Indications

Beneficence and Nonmaleficence

Patient Preferences

Autonomy

The Physician subjects James to an immediate dialysis and held a meeting with the parents and informed a kidney transplant was needed to ensure survival and the only person who proved to be matching with James’s tissues was his twin brother Samuel.

The principle of autonomy is depicted here when the physician suggests for a kidney Dialysis for James but the parents Mike and Joanne declines and decides to put faith to God because formerly their pastor had prayed for a woman who had a stroke and regained. The physician respected their choices. They came back after failing and made decision to continue with the dialysis and the physician went on.

Quality of Life

Beneficence, Nonmaleficence, Autonomy

Contextual Features

Justice and Fairness

James is subjected to kidney dialysis without hesitation and show a little gain. For survival, a kidney transplant was needed, and the physician informed them before any procedure so that they make independent decisions whether they will allow Samuel his twin brother to donate one because he seemed to be the only compatible so far.

The parents of James decided to bring back him to hospital after the faith healing failed to ensure they save his life. The physician gave James an immediate dialysis due to his deteriorating condition. Some of the friends and also their colleagues in the church including themselves as well offered to donate the kidney to James.

In the autonomy principle, the patient has all the independence in his/her decisions without interference. Some religions may not be in line with some medical practices.in this scenario the physician has an obligation of ensuring he explains the benefits of taking the practice and the risks of not taking the practice like in this case he explained that James needed urgent Kidney Dialysis for survival, but Mike and Joanne opted for the faith. They came when the condition worsened and proved no results on the other end. Beneficence and Nonmaleficence depiction here through the dialysis done and advise on the kidney transplant and immediate medical benefit exhibited by the physician to the child. In the Christian perception, these parents need to be enlightened on the processes, the purpose and urgency of taking them as well as the risks of ignoring. Christianity advocates for justice and fairness to the patients in terms offering the health care. The physician in this case offered quick services and respects the rights of the patient through informing them on the dialysis and kidney transplant needed before doing it. The physician did show compassion and the caring heart according to the Christian doctrine through the trials of the dialysis when he realized the kidneys were severely damaged and resulted that James needed a kidney in a year time.

Balancing of each these principles of biomedical is essential. Regardless that autonomy principle is greatly respected, Joanne and Mike need to better their decision making. They failed with the faith process of saving their son through their pastor. They returned to the dialysis process. In this case now they considered between life and death of their son which proves to be the best step to make hence balancing. The Supreme being also manifests Himself in the healing process through the physicians. Mike seems to be struggling with to agree his other son Samuel to donate a kidney for James or to leave God to do a miracle this time round. Mike should exhibit fairness balance through the acceptance of Samuel to donate the kidney for saving life. Justice and fairness should be taken as the most important thing in any activity as a Christian. The physician in this case acted with a lot of fairness in terms of giving the child immediate attention regardless that the parents had ignored his advice before and they have returned when things have failed to yield fruits. Pain should not be induced to the patient in the sense that proper medical attention should be provided to avoid professional negligence.