PHI-413V Topic 2 DQ 1

How can the Christian concept of the imago Dei inform a holistic perspective of the patient within their family and community?
Initial discussion question posts should be a minimum of 200 words and include at least two references cited using APA format. Responses to peers or faculty should be 100-150 words and include one reference. Refer to “Discussion Question Rubric” and “Participation Rubric,” located in Class Resources, to understand the expectations for initial discussion question posts and participation posts, respectively.
American Association of Colleges of Nursing Core Competencies for Professional Nursing Education
This assignment aligns with AACN Core Competencies: 2.3

Solution

The foundation for understanding human dignity and value is provided by the Christian idea of imago Dei, which believes that all people were made in God’s image. This perspective has major implications for the medical field since it promotes a patient-centered approach. It places emphasis on a person’s spiritual, emotional, and interpersonal well-being in addition to their physical health. Health care providers are called to respect the patient’s inherent dignity and acknowledge their interconnectedness within their family and community by considering them as individuals who bear the divine image.

According to White and De La Torre (2012), St. Augustine’s reflections highlight the human need to give thanks to and find rest in God. Humans respond to their Creator in search of ultimate fulfillment and joy, despite their sin and weakness. This view of humans as being made for heavenly relationships highlights the necessity for healthcare to address patients’ spiritual and relational needs in addition to their medical conditions. Recognizing the imago Dei encourages medical professionals to view patients as more than just their illnesses, promoting a person-centered approach that involves the community and family in the healing process.

Besides Augustine’s theological perspective, this holistic approach is reinforced by the American Association of Colleges of Nursing’s (AACN) Core Competency on patient-centered care, which promotes the incorporation of social, spiritual, and emotional factors into healthcare delivery (AACN, 2021). An atmosphere where dignity is maintained and comprehensive treatment is given priority is promoted when healthcare professionals are inspired to view the patient as a whole—mind, body, and spirit—by acknowledging the image of God in every individual.

References

American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN). (2021). The essentials: Core competencies for professional nursing education. American Association of Colleges of Nursing.

White, N. H., & De La Torre, V. (2012). God, humanity, and human dignity. In St. Augustine of Hippo, Confessions (pp. 19-22). The Augustinian Press.

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