Case 1: J.R. is a nurse practitioner in a clinic on a large, isolated Indian reservation. The clients in his community have a disproportionately high rate of alcoholism and suicide. Poverty is widespread.
He believes the most important component of his job is to promote wellness among his clients. J.R. reaches out to the people of the community by providing wellness clinics and educational forums. He uses a holistic approach to health care, incorporating traditional Indian healing practices along with Western medicine.
Question for the case: Do you think is appropriate that J.R. is adapting his practice incorporating traditional Indian healing practices along with Western medicine? Support your answer with evidence base practice recommendation.
Discuss the 3 topics listed below for your case:
1. An effective health assessment incorporates not only physiological parameters; please suggest other parameters that should be considered and included on health assessments to reach maximal health potential on individuals.
2. Name the different family developmental stages and give examples of each one.
3.Describe family structure and function and the relationship with health care.
Sample solution
Dante Alighieri played a critical role in the literature world through his poem Divine Comedy that was written in the 14th century. The poem contains Inferno, Purgatorio, and Paradiso. The Inferno is a description of the nine circles of torment that are found on the earth. It depicts the realms of the people that have gone against the spiritual values and who, instead, have chosen bestial appetite, violence, or fraud and malice. The nine circles of hell are limbo, lust, gluttony, greed and wrath. Others are heresy, violence, fraud, and treachery. The purpose of this paper is to examine the Dante’s Inferno in the perspective of its portrayal of God’s image and the justification of hell.
In this epic poem, God is portrayed as a super being guilty of multiple weaknesses including being egotistic, unjust, and hypocritical. Dante, in this poem, depicts God as being more human than divine by challenging God’s omnipotence. Additionally, the manner in which Dante describes Hell is in full contradiction to the morals of God as written in the Bible. When god arranges Hell to flatter Himself, He commits egotism, a sin that is common among human beings (Cheney, 2016). The weakness is depicted in Limbo and on the Gate of Hell where, for instance, God sends those who do not worship Him to Hell. This implies that failure to worship Him is a sin.
God is also depicted as lacking justice in His actions thus removing the godly image. The injustice is portrayed by the manner in which the sodomites and opportunists are treated. The opportunists are subjected to banner chasing in their lives after death followed by being stung by insects and maggots. They are known to having done neither good nor bad during their lifetimes and, therefore, justice could have demanded that they be granted a neutral punishment having lived a neutral life. The sodomites are also punished unfairly by God when Brunetto Lattini is condemned to hell despite being a good leader (Babor, T. F., McGovern, T., & Robaina, K. (2017). While he commited sodomy, God chooses to ignore all the other good deeds that Brunetto did.
Finally, God is also portrayed as being hypocritical in His actions, a sin that further diminishes His godliness and makes Him more human. A case in point is when God condemns the sin of egotism and goes ahead to commit it repeatedly. Proverbs 29:23 states that “arrogance will bring your downfall, but if you are humble, you will be respected.” When Slattery condemns Dante’s human state as being weak, doubtful, and limited, he is proving God’s hypocrisy because He is also human (Verdicchio, 2015). The actions of God in Hell as portrayed by Dante are inconsistent with the Biblical literature. Both Dante and God are prone to making mistakes, something common among human beings thus making God more human.
To wrap it up, Dante portrays God is more human since He commits the same sins that humans commit: egotism, hypocrisy, and injustice. Hell is justified as being a destination for victims of the mistakes committed by God. The Hell is presented as being a totally different place as compared to what is written about it in the Bible. As a result, reading through the text gives an image of God who is prone to the very mistakes common to humans thus ripping Him off His lofty status of divine and, instead, making Him a mere human. Whether or not Dante did it intentionally is subject to debate but one thing is clear in the poem: the misconstrued notion of God is revealed to future generations.
References
Babor, T. F., McGovern, T., & Robaina, K. (2017). Dante’s inferno: Seven deadly sins in scientific publishing and how to avoid them. Addiction Science: A Guide for the Perplexed, 267.
Cheney, L. D. G. (2016). Illustrations for Dante’s Inferno: A Comparative Study of Sandro Botticelli, Giovanni Stradano, and Federico Zuccaro. Cultural and Religious Studies, 4(8), 487.
Verdicchio, M. (2015). Irony and Desire in Dante’s” Inferno” 27. Italica, 285-297.
Sample Answer
Sample Answer
Case Analysis: J.R. and Integrating Traditional Indian Healing Practices in Nursing
J.R., a nurse practitioner on an Indian reservation, exemplifies a holistic approach to health care by incorporating traditional Indian healing practices alongside Western medicine. This model not only respects the cultural context of his patients but also addresses their unique health needs in a community grappling with high rates of alcoholism, suicide, and poverty.
Appropriateness of Integrating Traditional Healing Practices
Integrating traditional healing practices with Western medicine is not only appropriate but can also be seen as essential in providing culturally competent care. Evidence-based practice supports the idea that culturally sensitive care improves patient outcomes, especially in communities with specific cultural beliefs and practices.
Supporting Evidence
1. Cultural Competence: According to the National Institutes of Health (NIH), culturally competent care improves patient compliance and satisfaction, which can lead to better health outcomes. By incorporating traditional practices, J.R. fosters trust and rapport with his patients, making them more likely to engage in their health care.
2. Holistic Approach: The American Holistic Nurses Association emphasizes the importance of addressing the whole person—body, mind, and spirit—in health care. This aligns well with both traditional Indian healing practices and the principles of holistic nursing.
3. Efficacy of Integrative Practices: Research indicates that when traditional and Western practices are integrated, patients often experience better management of chronic conditions and improved mental health outcomes (Gonzalez et al., 2010). For example, using traditional healing rituals may enhance the emotional well-being of patients suffering from depression or anxiety related to alcohol use.
1. Effective Health Assessment Parameters
An effective health assessment should encompass various parameters beyond physiological indicators. The following factors should also be considered:
– Psychosocial Factors: Assessing mental health, stress levels, and social support systems is crucial for understanding an individual’s overall well-being.
– Cultural and Spiritual Beliefs: Understanding a patient’s cultural background and spiritual beliefs can guide appropriate care strategies and foster better patient-provider relationships.
– Environmental Factors: Evaluating living conditions, access to resources, and community safety can provide insight into potential barriers to health.
– Lifestyle Factors: Gathering information about nutrition, physical activity, substance use, and sleep patterns helps in creating a comprehensive health profile.
By including these parameters in health assessments, practitioners can develop tailored interventions that address the root causes of health issues rather than merely treating symptoms.
2. Family Developmental Stages
Family developmental stages outline the evolution of family dynamics over time. Key stages include:
1. Single Young Adults: Individuals establishing independence and exploring life choices (e.g., college students).
2. New Families: Couples who have recently married or partnered, often preparing for or having their first child.
3. Families with Young Children: Parents manage the challenges associated with raising young children while balancing personal and professional commitments.
4. Families with Adolescents: Families navigate the complexities of raising teenagers, including issues of independence and identity.
5. Launching Families: Young adults leave home for education or work, leading to shifts in family dynamics as parents adjust to an “empty nest.”
6. Aging Families: Older adults face retirement, potential health issues, and changes in family roles as they transition into later life stages.
Understanding these stages helps health care providers tailor their approaches based on family dynamics and the challenges each stage presents.
3. Family Structure and Function in Relation to Health Care
Family Structure
Family structure refers to the composition of a family unit, which can include nuclear families, extended families, single-parent families, blended families, and same-sex families. Each structure presents unique strengths and challenges that influence health behaviors and access to care.
Family Function
Family function refers to how family members interact and support one another. Effective communication, emotional support, shared values, and collective problem-solving are vital components of healthy family functioning.
Relationship with Health Care
The relationship between family structure/function and health care is significant:
– Support Systems: Strong family support systems can enhance adherence to treatment plans and promote healthier lifestyle choices. For example, families who communicate effectively may encourage members to seek preventive care or manage chronic conditions more effectively.
– Health Education: Families often serve as the primary source of health education and socialization regarding health behaviors. Educating families about health issues can empower them to make informed decisions.
– Coping Mechanisms: Family dynamics can influence how individuals cope with illness or stress. A supportive family may help reduce anxiety during medical procedures or improve adherence to treatment regimens.
In conclusion, J.R.’s integration of traditional Indian healing practices with Western medicine is not just appropriate but necessary in his context. By adopting a holistic approach that incorporates diverse health assessments, recognizes family developmental stages, and understands family structure/function relationships with health care, J.R. can more effectively promote wellness within his community.
References
Gonzalez, J., Sabine, L., & Thorne, R. (2010). The Role of Traditional Healing Practices in Mental Health Care: A Review of the Literature. Journal of Community Health, 35(3), 335-348.
