Grand Canyon University: PHI-413V Ethical and Spiritual Decision Making in Healthcare Spiritual Needs Assessment

The author of this paper interviewed her family member D.K. who was treated in the hospital for several weeks before being diagnosed with Celiac Disease. The purpose of this paper is to develop a spiritual assessment for the interview, providing a transcript, while also conveying an analysis of the interview. The author will explain what went well in the interview, what could be done differently in the future, and also identify any barriers between the interviewer and the interviewee. This interview will be focused on D.K.’s experience as a patient in the hospital setting.

Part I: The Interview

Me: What are your religious and spiritual beliefs?

D.K.: “I am a Christian and have been for going on 30 years. I believe in God, Jesus Christ, and the Holy Spirit. I have been saved and born again.”

Me: When you were in the hospital, how did being a Christian help you?

D.K.: “I think it was more of a relationship with Christ that helped me. Thankfully, while I was in the hospital for almost a month, I had friends and family visit me every single day but at night it would get lonely and fear and doubt would creep into my mind. It was then, that I would pray and call out to God to help the doctor’s figure out what was going on with me and to help me be more understanding through all the pain and anxiety. It was there in the quietness of night that I felt Christ met me exactly where I was and comforted me in a way that I can’t really explain.”

Me: Have your beliefs ever influenced the way you take care of yourself while you were in the hospital? Benchmark – Patient’s Spiritual Needs: Case Analysis.

D.K.: “I think, personally, it has made me pray more but I don’t think it has made me rethink any decisions. If it has, it would be signing my advanced directive and sign a DNR in case something should happen to me; I don’t want to be separated from my Lord any longer than I have to.”

Me: Is there anything besides praying that you feel that you need in order to support your relationship with Christ?

D.K.: “It really helped when others prayed for me and over me. I think the most special thing was when my pastor and my family all participated in communion because I wasn’t able to attend church in such a long. It was an extremely special time that I will never forget. It always really helps me and relaxes me to listen to worship music.”

Me: Lastly, is there anything that would help you spiritually, while you were in the hospital that could have been carried out by nurses or doctors?

D.K.: “If anything would be to respect my prayer and quiet time in the morning. It’s hard for me to concentrate and find my focus for the day when I am trying to pray and someone has to come in and draw my blood or come and get my blood pressure. I mean, I understand why they need to do it but I do feel like privacy and respect of personal time should be something that workers in the hospital should be aware of.”

Me: Thanks so much for meeting with me and discussing your personal beliefs. I really appreciate it.

D.K.: “You’re so welcome. Bye.” Benchmark – Patient’s Spiritual Needs: Case Analysis.

Part II: Analysis

The author interviewed an older-aged Caucasian female, who is also a family member of the author, and identifies herself as a strong Christian. The interviewee, spent months in and out of the hospital, not knowing what was wrong with her. She had symptoms including dehydration, diarrhea, vomiting, upset stomach, etc. most were vague and did not point to one specific diagnosis. When the interviewee was diagnosed with Celiac disease, a disease that inhibits your body from digesting gluten properly, she was extremely disheartened because she was a cook, caterer, and baker. Her whole life involved the use of the ingredient that was making her so sick.

During the interview, the author felt as if it would have been more valuable if she could have interviewed her in the hospital as a current patient, instead of a former patient. The interviewee’s faith was and still is extremely strong for someone to have to rely on the Lord during a time of the unknown. I feel that it is important for healthcare workers to have respect for those who have beliefs and faith to allow that to grow and encourage the moments of quiet time, meditation, or prayer during our daily assessments Benchmark – Patient’s Spiritual Needs: Case Analysis. Spiritual healing and encouragement can be just as important for some patients as physical healing is.

The author did not feel there were any barriers to approaching the spiritual assessment of the interviewee. In the hospital stay, a