Protestant Beliefs and Practices Affecting Health Care
Overview of Health/Illness: Most Christian traditions (Protestant, Roman Catholic, and Eastern Orthodox) support and teach the importance of the well-being of the person, relationships, and creation. Health practices are expected to support the well-being of body, mind and spirit. Different traditions will have different understandings of health, suffering, spiritual/religious practices. Each person needs to identify his/her spiritual/religious needs. [back to top] Birth: Generally a time of celebration and thanksgiving. If there is the possibility of death, consider use of religious resources. Prayers may be requested. [back to top] Death: Some liturgical traditions have religious practices of prayer, anointing with oil, liturgies. Cremation may be chosen. Organ donation is increasing. [back to top] Bereavement: Assess bereavement process which is generally less ritualized than with other religions. [back to top] Abortion and Birth Control: Generally considered acceptable for Protestants. Some church teachings prohibit. If abortion/miscarriage occurs, assess relevant religious practices such as prayer, baptism, blessing, burial, etc. [back to top] Dietary Regulations: Varies with traditions. Some are vegetarian. Some eat or fast for particular religious days. [back to top] Personal Devotions: Spiritual practices may include sacred readings, prayer, study, fasting, almsgiving, anointing, eucharist. Quiet and privacy is needed. [back to top] Religious Objects: Icons, literature, pictures, music, jewelry, natural objects (stones), prayer beads and other items may be important. [back to top] Holiday Observance: Traditionally, Advent, Christmas, Epiphany, Ash Wednesday, Lent, Easter and other days. Some may have particular days for observance for memorials, celebrations and/or fasting. [back to top] Bioethical Decision-Making: Withdrawal of treatment, end of life, organ donation decisions vary. Most will place a high value on living as long as the valued quality of life is possible. [back to top] Privacy/Space: Will vary with person. [back to top] Connecting With Community: Some may want spiritual care from local religious groups. Permission from patient needed to inform community religious resource. [back to top] Visitors: Generally visits to the sick or injured. See hospital policy on clergy visits. [back to top] Ethnic (Language) and Cultural Sensitivity: Varies within same religious group. Individual assessment needed. [back to top] Religious Writings: Books on prayer, the Holy Bible, spiritual/religious writings. [back to top] |
