Case Study: Healing and Autonomy (Case Study Sample)

Case Study: Healing and Autonomy Name Institution Case Study: Healing and Autonomy Introduction The case revolves around Mike and Joanne who have to make a decision to address the Kidney condition affecting their son, James. They want their child to obtain the right care but are torn between seeking spiritual help and scientific medication. Given that they have seen one of their friends get healed through faith, Mike decides to suspend their son’s treatment and place their faith in God, while waiting on God’s time for healing, James’s condition deteriorates. What was merely a dialysis has now become serious that it necessitates a kidney transplant. Now struggles to comprehend the turn of events and he is unsure as to whether God is punishing him or testing his faith. With the delicate situation, he has to take a decisive action to safe his son’s life. The case study highlights the challenge physician’s face when treating patients and the inherent tension between spiritual and medical decisions that patients have to make to ensure that their loved ones heath. Although the case presents an ethical dilemma where Mike is torn between seeking medical treatment for his son and trusting in his faith, the Christian worldview requires that he should seek treatment while trusting that God will heal his son. Issues in the Case In applying Biomedical Ethics in the Christian Narrative, two issues of beneficence and autonomy come up. Regarding beneficence, the physician has the right to provide parent with options along with the benefits and risks that may occur (Rae, 2009). If he fails to do so, he would have contravened his duty or obligation to the parents and the patient. Religious autonomy requires people to respect the decisions that autonomous persons make. Mike has taken unto himself to decide not to take his son for treatment. Christians believe in God and have faith in his ability to heal the sick. They believe that God can heal diseases which do not have a treatment. Thus, trusting in God for healing may be the right option for him, it may cause more harm to James. Mike is facing an ethical dilemma as he is torn between following the doctor’s recommendation for medical intervention and believing his faith for healing to occur. Therefore, there is an apparent conflict between religious autonomy and the physician’s medical recommendation. Analysis of the Case Study In the case, when the doctor proposed a dialysis, Mike declined the treatment. He had recently seen a friend who got healed due to his faith. Therefore, he also wanted God to perform miracles on his son. Christianity requires that believers trust in God and have faith that he will heal their sickness and diseases. God created man without any blemish, but due to the inequities, he invited death, suffering, and sickness. However, God re-established the relationship through his only son Jesus. The Christian narrative respects the patient’s autonomy. According to biblical teachings, people have the freedom to choose whether to believe in Christ or God. Therefore, Mike had the right to choose whether to accept the medicine, or trust in God for a miracle. Way Forward for the Physician The physician should not allow Mike to make irrational and harmful decisions to James. The principle of beneficence entails a group of principles which requires one to prevent harm, offer benefits and balance them against the risks and costs (Rae, 2009). Thus, the doctor understands the implications of not seeking medical attention early enough. Although autonomy is also an important factor, the physician should insist on conducting a dialysis and a kidney transplant later to save James life. He understands that Mike’s decisions are irrational and harmful which implies that he should uphold the principle of beneficence. Sickness and Health and What Mike Should Do Christians understand that God created everything which exists and he had a purpose for doing so. Although he created man in his own image and without blemish, Adam and Eve disobeyed and were eventually driven out of the Garden of Eden. The fall had serious implications for humans with the major one being the entry of Sin into the world coupled with spiritual and physical death. Due to Adam and Eve Original Sin, death, suffering, estrangement from God and disease has characterized human existence (Wolterstorff, 1994). God had a redemption plan as he sent his only Son, Jesus to die on the Cross and take away all the sins of mankind. Whoever believes in Christ has eternal life. From this view, sickness is part of life whose origin began with the Fall of Man. God intends all humans to enjoy good health. In the Christian worldview, medicine is relied upon to serve God’s purpose and call. Everything is carried out in remembrance of Jesus while knowing that He is the ultimate authority. In Mark 5: 25-30, the scripture give a story of woman who had bled for years. She had been to many doctors but did not find healing. Thereby, by coming to Jesus, the woman thought th...