In Christian spirituality and ethics lens, compassionate caring is grounded and responding to the need that is present in every person due to their intrinsic value in God’s image. This belief informs a perception of health and whole-person healing and care since it encompasses well beyond the physical well-being of a person (Nistelrooij et al., 2022). Compassionate caring is considered an act of Christ’s missionaries, wherein the healthcare provider becomes an instrument of God’s compassion and mercy in treating the body. Christianity, one of the most followed religions in the world, has the language of empathy, mercy, and love, starting the practitioners of this religion in handling patients. In practice, this refers to empathic communications and timely listening to patients, regard for patient culture, beliefs, and spirituality, and providing relevant consolation during the earnestness of troublesome health straits. The acts of Jesus created a precedence of healing ministry in which healing is more focused on relieving an individual’s distress and suffering. The Christian ethic on the right provider concept suggests that providers should view healthcare work as a vocation – a calling aimed at the care of people as a divine responsibility, not a duty.
Moreover, Christian ethics also tag along with justice, especially in propriety that designs healthcare delivery. This means caring for the weaker, people who cannot fight for their rights and wins, the downtrodden of society, unreached through modern means of communication, those without even essentials such as food, clothes on their backs, a home with warmth, getting health care, to older adults, to women and children who are victims of abuse (Yar’Adua & Aondover, 2021). Empathetic sensitivity also entails professionalism, non-erratic, and respect for the patient’s self-determination to be used in care delivery.
References
Nistelrooij, I. V., Sander-Staudt, M., & Hamington, M. (2022). Care ethics, religion, and Spiritual traditions. https://www.torrossa.com/gs/resourceProxy?an=5391491&publisher=FZ6520
Yar’Adua, M. S., & Aondover, E. M. (2021). A prescriptive approach to development communication. https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Aondover-Eric-Msughter-2/publication/380357004_A_Prescriptive_Approach_to_Development_Communication/links/6637e10b7091b94e93f40419/A-Prescriptive-Approach-to-Development-Communication.pdf