Answer 2 for PHI 413 How can the perspective of Christian spirituality influence the way in which you demonstrate compassionate care?
In his article, Pembroke (2019) asserts that empathic and compassionate healthcare is a core part of Christian spiritual practice. Christian spirituality has a significant impact on how one illustrates compassionate care. Polat et al. (2022) note that as nurses’ level of compassionate care increases, the possibility of providing spiritual care therapeutics increases. The implication is that Christian spirituality affects the way nurses demonstrate compassionate care. Therefore, as a nurse, one can demonstrate compassionate care through love and empathy, selflessness, and through dignity and respect.
Christian spirituality emphasizes the significance of love and empathy through the commandment of love, “love your neighbor as yourself” Mark 12:31 NIV). Based on this principle, nurses should empathize with patients and offer care that is rooted in understanding and compassion (Polat et al., 2022). Again, Christian spirituality promotes selflessness with Jesus being the core figure of Christianity. Jesus is the role model of sacrifice because of His death on the cross for redeem human beings from sins. The implication is that as a nurse, one must put the needs of others before their own as a critical demonstration of compassionate care.
Christianity advances that human beings are made in God’s image implying that they have inherent dignity and deserve respect (Genesis 1:27 NIV). Therefore, everyone has inherent dignity and worth. As such, people, including nurses, should treat everyone with respect and dignity, irrespective of their situations and backgrounds. Christianity offers a message of hope and encourages people through faith. This can impact individuals to offer uplift care and encourage patients, even when they suffer from terminal conditions (Rego et al., 2020). The implication is that as a nurse, one must consider the wishes of patients and encourage them through hope and not judging them or making conclusion about their situation.
References
Pembroke, N. (2019). Empathic and compassionate healthcare as a Christian spiritual practice.
Practical Theology, 12(2), 133-146. DOI:10.1080/1756073X.2019.1586343
Rego, F., Gonçalves, F., Moutinho, S., Castro, L., & Nunes, R. (2020). The influence of
spirituality on decision-making in palliative care outpatients: a cross-sectional study. BMC palliative care, 19(1), 1-14. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1186/s12904-020-0525-3
Polat, H., & Özdemir, A. A. (2022). Relationship between compassion and Spiritual care among
nurses in Turkey. Journal of religion and health, 61(3), 1894-1905.
DOI: 10.1007/s10943-021-01287-6
