Discuss in your opinion whether this is a good trend or a bad one? Have we taken control of our healthcare or lost control of it by “de-personalizing” the trip to the doctor or the stay in the hospital? What, if any, has been your experience with becoming an “encounter” and not a patient, and how do you feel about it? How do you think this trend will change in the future, or will it? Back up your opinions with references and in-text citations to course readings, lectures, or external articles.
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
The Impact of De-Personalization in Healthcare: A Critical Examination
The trend towards de-personalization in healthcare, where patients are often treated as mere “encounters” rather than individuals, raises significant concerns about the quality of care and patient experience. While advancements in technology and healthcare delivery have streamlined processes and improved efficiency, there is a growing sentiment that we may be losing control of our healthcare by prioritizing convenience over personalized interactions.
Loss of Personal Connection in Healthcare
The shift towards de-personalization in healthcare has been associated with a decline in the quality of patient-provider relationships. In an era where electronic health records and telemedicine are prevalent, the traditional face-to-face interactions between patients and healthcare providers have become less frequent. This can lead to feelings of alienation, lack of empathy, and reduced trust in the healthcare system.
According to a study by Beach et al. (2005), patients value empathetic communication and personalized care from their healthcare providers, as it contributes to better treatment outcomes and patient satisfaction. When patients are treated as mere encounters, rather than individuals with unique needs and concerns, the therapeutic alliance between the patient and provider may be compromised.
Personal Experience with De-Personalization in Healthcare
As a patient, experiencing de-personalization in healthcare can be disheartening. Being reduced to a medical record number or a brief interaction can leave one feeling marginalized and disconnected from the care process. The lack of personalized attention and empathy can impact one’s overall experience and perception of the quality of care received.
Future Trends in Patient-Centered Care
Despite the current trend towards de-personalization, there is a growing recognition of the importance of patient-centered care in healthcare delivery. Patient-centered care emphasizes a holistic approach that considers the individual’s preferences, values, and goals in decision-making processes. Organizations like the Institute for Patient- and Family-Centered Care advocate for the integration of patient perspectives in healthcare policy and practice.
In the future, it is plausible that healthcare systems will strive to strike a balance between efficiency and personalization, leveraging technology to enhance communication and engagement while preserving the human touch in patient care. By incorporating patient feedback, fostering cultural competence, and promoting shared decision-making, healthcare providers can create a more empathetic and patient-centric care environment.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the trend towards de-personalization in healthcare poses challenges to the patient-provider relationship and overall quality of care. While technological advancements offer opportunities for efficiency and accessibility, it is imperative to prioritize patient-centered care to ensure that individuals are not merely treated as encounters but as active participants in their healthcare journey. By fostering empathetic communication, respecting individual preferences, and promoting shared decision-making, healthcare systems can enhance the patient experience and improve health outcomes in a more personalized and compassionate manner.
