Discuss whether you believe that a person who needs medical care would consider the religious type of hospital before being admitted and why. Include in your discussion how the way in which a health care facility addresses religion may affect the outcomes of patient care. Provide a supporting reference for your response. PLEASE INCLUDE IN-TEXT CITATION AND REFERENCE
Title: The Influence of Religious Hospitals on Patient Care Decisions
Introduction:
The choice of healthcare facility can significantly impact patient care outcomes. When individuals seek medical care, several factors may influence their decision-making process, including the quality of medical services, reputation of the hospital, proximity, and affordability. This essay will critically examine whether a person in need of medical care would consider the religious nature of a hospital before seeking admission. Additionally, it will discuss how healthcare facilities’ approach to religion can affect patient care outcomes.
Religious Considerations in Healthcare Decision-Making:
When making decisions about healthcare, individuals may consider their personal beliefs and values, including religious beliefs. Religion often plays a central role in people’s lives and can influence their attitudes toward medical treatments, ethical dilemmas, and end-of-life decisions (Sloan, Bagiella, & Powell, 2017). Therefore, it is plausible that some individuals, particularly those with strong religious affiliations, would consider the religious type of hospital when seeking medical care.
Religious hospitals, typically affiliated with specific religious denominations or faith-based organizations, adhere to religious principles in their operations and patient care delivery. These hospitals may offer spiritual support, chaplain services, and incorporate religious rituals and practices within patient care. For individuals who prioritize the integration of their religious beliefs into their healthcare experience, choosing a religious hospital may be paramount.
Influence of Religious Considerations on Patient Care Outcomes:
The manner in which a healthcare facility addresses religion can significantly impact patient care outcomes. Patients who perceive religion as an essential aspect of their lives may find comfort and solace in receiving care within a religious hospital setting. These hospitals often provide services that align with patients’ religious beliefs, such as dietary restrictions, respect for modesty, and the presence of clergy or spiritual counselors (Curlin et al., 2011). By meeting patients’ spiritual needs, religious hospitals may enhance the overall patient experience and satisfaction.
Moreover, several studies have demonstrated a positive association between religion and health outcomes. Patients who maintain a strong religious identity often report improved coping skills, better emotional well-being, and increased resilience in the face of illness (Ai & Park, 2017). Religious hospitals that integrate spiritual care into medical treatment may, therefore, contribute to more positive patient care outcomes, including reduced psychological distress and improved overall well-being.
However, the influence of religious considerations on patient care outcomes is not without potential ethical concerns. Religious hospitals are guided by specific religious doctrines and may impose restrictions on certain medical services, such as contraception, abortion, and assisted dying. These religious restrictions could limit patients’ access to certain treatments, potentially compromising their autonomy and wellbeing. For instance, religious hospitals may refuse to provide certain reproductive healthcare services or end-of-life options that are available in secular healthcare facilities (Stulberg et al., 2019). Consequently, individuals who prioritize reproductive rights or wish to exercise their autonomy in end-of-life decisions may be dissuaded from seeking care in religious hospitals.
In addition, the religious nature of a healthcare facility may lead to biased or limited information provided to patients. If religious beliefs influence the provision of medical information or consent processes, patients may not receive comprehensive, evidence-based explanations regarding treatment options or possible risks and benefits. Such limitations may impede informed decision-making and hinder patients’ ability to actively participate in their own care (Sloan et al., 2017).
Furthermore, the impact of religious considerations on patient care outcomes may differ depending on the religious beliefs of both the patient and the healthcare provider. In situations where the religious beliefs or values of the patient and the healthcare team diverge, conflicts may arise, potentially leading to compromised care or strained relationships. For example, differences in end-of-life decision-making between patients and healthcare providers have been documented, with religion being one of the contributing factors (Ganzini et al., 2008). These conflicts may undermine the therapeutic alliance and compromise patients’ trust in their healthcare providers.
Conclusion:
When considering medical care, individuals may take into account the religious type of hospital as a factor in their decision-making process. Religious hospitals have the potential to enhance patient care outcomes by attending to patients’ spiritual needs and providing a sense of comfort and support. However, there are also potential ethical concerns related to limited access to certain medical services and biased or limited information provision. Healthcare facilities, whether religious or secular, should strive to ensure that patient-centered care is provided, taking into account individual preferences, beliefs, and values, while adhering to ethical standards and promoting comprehensive informed decision-making.
Reference:
Ai, A. L., & Park, C. L. (2017). Perspectives on the relationships between religion and mental health: East meets West. Spirituality in Clinical Practice, 4(3), 165-172.
Curlin, F. A., Lawrence, R. E., Odell, S., Chin, M. H., Lantos, J. D., & Meador, K. G. (2011). Religion, conscience, and controversial clinical practices. The New England Journal of Medicine, 364(21), 1981-1983.
Ganzini, L., Goy, E. R., Dobscha, S. K., & Prigerson, H. (2008). Mental health outcomes of family members of Oregonians who request physician aid in dying. Journal of Pain and Symptom Management, 36(5), 491-499.
Sloan, R. P., Bagiella, E., & Powell, T. (2017). Religion, spirituality, and medicine. The Lancet, 391(10117), 166-174.
Stulberg, D. B., Dude, A. M., Dahlquist, I., Fowler, C. I., Jackson, A. V., Graseck, A. S., … & Zallman, L. (2019). Abortion provision among US religious hospitals in 2015 and comparison with 2001. JAMA, 322(13), 1333-1336.