Case Study on Biomedical Ethics in the Christian Narrative
Brandee Roy
Grand Canyon University
PHI 413V Ethical and Spiritual Decision Making in Health Care
January 24, 2021
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Case Study on Biomedical Ethics in the Christian Narrative
Brandee Roy
Grand Canyon University
PHI 413V Ethical and Spiritual Decision Making in Health Care
January 24, 2021
This study source was downloaded by 100000860583932 from CourseHero.com on 01-19-2023 02:11:23 GMT -06:00
https://www.coursehero.com/file/79636479/PHI-413V-Case-Study-on-Biomedical-Ethics-in-the-Christian-Narrativedocx/
Applying the Four Principles: Case Study
Part 1: Chart (60 points)
Based on the “Healing and Autonomy” case study, fill out all the relevant boxes below. Provide the
information by means of bullet points or a well-structured paragraph in the box. Gather as much data as
possible.
Medical Indications
Beneficence and Nonmaleficence
Patient Preferences
Autonomy
Group A Streptococcus infection/Strep
throat
Acute glomerulonephritis/kidney
failure caused by complications of
strep throat
High blood pressure
Fluid retention
Need for dialysis
Kidney replacement
James is a minor patient, the child of
Mike and Joanne.
The physician discusses James’s
condition and necessary treatment
options with the parents, but they
choose to decline.
James’s parents decide to immediately
take him to a faith healing service,
placing their faith in God and hoping
he will be healed by prayer, instead of
beginning dialysis.
James’s condition worsens over the
next two days and his parents bring
him back to the hospital.
Due to his worsening health condition,
he needs daily dialysis and a kidney
transplant.
With daily dialysis his condition
stabilized but he still required a kidney
donor within the year.
Quality of Life
Beneficence, Nonmaleficence, Autonomy
Contextual Features
Justice and Fairness
The physician strongly believed James
required immediate dialysis to prevent
further kidney damage but allowed the
parents autonomy to make the health
care decision on behalf of James.
His parents opted to place their faith in
God and a faith healing service.
Although the outcome wasn't fatal,
James’s condition worsened placing
his parents in fear and shaken faith,
Contextual factors refer to immediate
environment of the patient that could
influence medical decisions.
Family (James being a minor, allows
his parents to make medical decisions
on his behalf)
Religion (James’s parents chose to
wait for God to heal him)
James’s parents’ religious and spiritual
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wondering who and why they were
being punished by God.
James’s condition requires permanent
dialysis requiring a kidney transplant.
The nephrologist reveals the only
match for James’s transplant is his
twin brother, Samuel, placing his
parents with a new struggle to face.
They must decide if using one child
for the benefit of the other or wait for
a miracle from God is what they want
to do.
practices deny him justice and fairness
by delaying treatment of his medical
condition.
It is questioned if it is fair to use
Samuel as James’s kidney donor.
Mike, the twins’ father, questions if
this is a punishment from God.
The parents are faced with a critical
decision of carrying out acts of justice
and fairness to James that will change
the lives of the entire family.
Part 2: Evaluation
Answer each of the following questions about how the four principles and four boxes approach would be
applied:
1. In 200-250 words answer the following: According to the Christian worldview, how would each of the
principles be specified and weighted in this case? Explain why. (45 points)
The most weighted principle in this case study is respecting autonomy. Autonomy is like free
will, which is part of God's plan. The parents’ refusal of treatment for James’s condition and
respect of their autonomy by the physician were all mentioned. Autonomy, as explained in the
Christian Narrative, means patients have a right to hold views, to make choices, and to take
actions based on their values and beliefs while having respect for their decision-making
capabilities (Hoehner, 2020). Patients and parents or legal guardians of children have the rights
to make their own decisions and that we need to respect them whether we agree with it or not.
James’s parents are exercising autonomy by choosing to rely on their faith in God to heal James
instead of medical procedures. The risks and benefits of hospitalization and medical treatment in
regard to James’s medical condition were thoroughly explained by the physician to the parents.
Although the parents understood their son was sick, they opted to seek healing through prayer,
taking him to a faith healing service. They acted with faith and good intentions. Beneficence and
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non-maleficence are the acts for the benefit of others or to do good and the moral obligation to
not to inflict or do no harm (Hoehner, 2020). The outcome of James’s condition would have been
different if his parents chose to go ahead with dialysis as recommended by the doctor. With them
delaying treatment, they put their son’s health in jeopardy. Upon returning to the hospital due to
James’s worsening condition, the nephrologist plays a significant role in advocating for James.
With James being on routine dialysis and requiring a kidney transplant for survival, beneficence
and non-maleficence principles are priority to save his life. As healthcare professionals we have
an obligation to prevent harm to our patients. Justice is when one is treated with fairness and
transparency. It is showing respect regardless of socioeconomic status, race, religion, or gender.
Justice, in this case study, is the considering the quality of life of Samuel if he were to donate a
kidney to his twin brother. Their parents, Mike and Joanna, will have to live with every choice
they make about the treatment and outcomes of their children.
2. In 200-250 words answer the following: According to the Christian worldview, how might a
Christian balance each of the four principles in this case? Explain why. (45 points)
Principlism includes the following four principles, respect for autonomy, beneficence,
non-maleficence, and justice, complimenting each other (Hoehner, 2020). The four principles
approach are ethical decision-making tools that develop an ethical framework for healthcare.
Autonomy gives individuals the ability to exercise their rights and to make their own decisions
that best suit their needs without pressure or influence. Beneficence acting in the benefit of
others while non-maleficence means to not inflict or do harm to others. Based on the Christian
worldview, balancing the four principles is situational.
It is evident from the case study, the family’s belief in God and faith are extremely
important. Their first choice is to turn to God by religious and spiritual practices for healing
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through prayer. James’s physician has an obligation to provide education and treatment options
to his patients, including James, especially when his health condition worsened. This is an
example of beneficence and non-maleficence, ensuring the best interest of the patient. After
discussing the severity of James’s condition with the doctor, Mike and Joanne, James’s parents,
decline dialysis treatment and instead believing God will heal him. Their worldview and
autonomous decisions must be respected. After a few days, James’s condition worsens having his
parents still seeking help, returning to the hospital, agreeing to dialysis, only to find out he now
needs a kidney transplant with the best match being his twin brother. Justice is allowing James a
fair chance at survival beyond dialysis by giving him a kidney from a donor. Mike and Joanne
are faced dealing with their decisions which have affected their entire family, especially James
and Samuel.
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References:
Freer, J. (2017). Autonomy in Applied Medical Ethics. Ethics & Medicine, 33(1), 21-25,3.
https://lopes.idm.oclc.org/login?url=https://www-proquestcom.lopes.idm.oclc.org/scholarly-journals/autonomy-applied-medicalethics/docview/1861785878/se-2?accountid=7374
Grand Canyon University (GCU). (2020). Case Study: Healing and Autonomy
Hoehner, P. (2020). Grand Canyon University (Ed). Practicing dignity: An introduction to
Christians values and decision making in health care. Retrieved from
https://lc.gcumedia.com/phi413v/practicing-dignity-an-introduction-to-christian-valuesand-decision-making-in-health-care/v1.1/#/chapter/3
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