Case Study on Death and Dying

Case Study on Death and Dying: The practice of health care providers at all levels brings you into contact with people from a variety of faiths…

Case Study on Death and Dying

SUBMIT ASSIGNMENT

Start Date

May 23, 2022, 12:00 AM

Due Date

May 29, 2022, 11:59 PM

Points

200

Rubric

View Rubric

Status

Upcoming

Assessment Traits

Requires Lopeswrite

Assessment Description

The practice of health care providers at all levels brings you into contact with people from a variety of faiths. This calls for knowledge and understanding of a diversity of faith expressions; for the purpose of this course, the focus will be on the Christian worldview.

Based on \”Case Study: End of Life Decisions,\” the Christian worldview, and the worldview questions presented in the required topic Resources you will complete an ethical analysis of George\’s situation and his decision from the perspective of the Christian worldview.

Provide a 1,500-2,000-word ethical analysis while answering the following questions:

1. How would George interpret his suffering in light of the Christian narrative, with an emphasis on the fallenness of the world?
2. How would George interpret his suffering in light of the Christian narrative, with an emphasis on the hope of resurrection?
3. As George contemplates life with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), how would the Christian worldview inform his view about the value of his life as a person?
4. What sorts of values and considerations would the Christian worldview focus on in deliberating about whether or not George should opt for euthanasia?
5. Given the above, what options would be morally justified in the Christian worldview for George and why?
6. Based on your worldview, what decision would you make if you were in George\’s situation?

Remember to support your responses with the topic Resources.

Prepare this assignment according to the guidelines found in the APA Style Guide, located in the Student Success Center. An abstract is required.

This assignment uses a rubric. Please review the rubric prior to beginning the assignment to become familiar with the expectations for successful completion.

You are required to submit this assignment to LopesWrite. A link to the LopesWrite technical support articles is located in Class Resources if you need assistance.

Attachments

PHI-413V-RS-T4CaseStudyEndOfLifeDec

ASSIGNMENT\’S RUBRIC

Case Study on Death and Dying – Rubric

Collapse All Case Study On Death And Dying – RubricCollapse All

Suffering and Fallenness of the World

24 points

Criteria Description

Suffering and Fallenness of the World

5. Excellent

24 points

Analysis of how the man would interpret his suffering in light of the Christian narrative and the fallenness of the world is clear and demonstrates a deep understanding that is skillfully supported by topic study materials.

4. Good

20.4 points

Analysis of how the man would interpret his suffering in light of the Christian narrative and the fallenness of the world is clear and skillfully supported by topic study materials.

3. Satisfactory

18 points

Analysis of how the man would interpret his suffering in light of the Christian narrative and the fallenness of the world is clear and supported by topic study materials.

2. Less Than Satisfactory

15.6 points

Analysis of how the man would interpret his suffering in light of the Christian narrative and the fallenness of the world is unclear or vaguely supported by topic study materials.

1. Unsatisfactory

0 points

Analysis of how the man would interpret his suffering in light of the Christian narrative and the fallenness of the world is insufficient or not supported by topic study materials.

Suffering and the Hope of Resurrection

24 points

Criteria Description

Suffering and the Hope of Resurrection

5. Excellent

24 points

Analysis of how the man would interpret his suffering in light of the Christian narrative and the hope of resurrection is clear and demonstrates a deep understanding that is skillfully supported by topic study materials.

4. Good

20.4 points

Analysis of how the man would interpret his suffering in light of the Christian narrative and the hope of resurrection is clear and skillfully supported by topic study materials.

3. Satisfactory

18 points

Analysis of how the man would interpret his suffering in light of the Christian narrative and the hope of resurrection is clear and supported by topic study materials.

2. Less Than Satisfactory

15.6 points

Analysis of how the man would interpret his suffering in light of the Christian narrative and the hope of resurrection is unclear or vaguely supported by topic study materials.

1. Unsatisfactory

0 points

Analysis of how the man would interpret his suffering in light of the Christian narrative and the hope of resurrection is insufficient or not supported by topic study materials.

Value of Life

24 points

Criteria Description

Value of Life

5. Excellent

24 points

Analysis of how the Christian worldview of the man might inform his view about the value of his life as a person with ALS is clear and demonstrates a deep understanding that is skillfully supported by topic study materials.

4. Good

20.4 points

Analysis of how the Christian worldview of the man might inform his view about the value of his life as a person with ALS is clear and skillfully supported by topic study materials.

3. Satisfactory

18 points

Analysis of how the Christian worldview of the man might inform his view about the value of his life as a person with ALS is clear and supported by topic study materials.

2. Less Than Satisfactory

15.6 points

Analysis of how the Christian worldview of the man might inform his view about the value of his life as a person with ALS is unclear or vaguely supported by topic study materials.

1. Unsatisfactory

0 points

Analysis of how the Christian worldview of the man might inform his view about the value of his life as a person with ALS is insufficient or not supported by topic study materials.

Euthanasia

24 points

Criteria Description

Euthanasia

5. Excellent

24 points

Evaluation of which values and considerations the Christian worldview focuses on when deliberating the option of euthanasia for the man is clear and demonstrates a deep understanding that is skillfully supported by topic study materials.

4. Good

20.4 points

Evaluation of which values and considerations the Christian worldview focuses on when deliberating the option of euthanasia for the man is clear and skillfully supported by topic study materials.

3. Satisfactory

18 points

Evaluation of which values and considerations the Christian worldview focuses on when deliberating the option of euthanasia for the man is clear and supported by topic study materials.

2. Less Than Satisfactory

15.6 points

Evaluation of which values and considerations the Christian worldview focuses on when deliberating the option of euthanasia for the man is unclear or vaguely supported by topic study materials.

1. Unsatisfactory

0 points

Evaluation of which values and considerations the Christian worldview focuses on when deliberating the option of euthanasia for the man is insufficient or not supported by topic study materials.

Morally Justified Options

24 points

Criteria Description

Morally Justified Options

5. Excellent

24 points

Evaluation of which options would be justified in the Christian worldview for the man is clear and demonstrates a deep understanding that is skillfully supported by topic study materials.

4. Good

20.4 points

Evaluation of which options would be justified in the Christian worldview for the man is clear and skillfully supported by topic study materials.

3. Satisfactory

18 points

Evaluation of which options would be justified in the Christian worldview for the man is clear and supported by topic study materials.

2. Less Than Satisfactory

15.6 points

Evaluation of which options would be justified in the Christian worldview for the man is unclear or vaguely supported by topic study materials.

1. Unsatisfactory

0 points

Evaluation of which options would be justified in the Christian worldview for the man is insufficient or not supported by topic study materials.

Personal Decision

20 points

Criteria Description

Personal Decision

5. Excellent

20 points

Reflection hypothesis of which personal choices would be make if faced with ALS based on personal worldview is clear, relevant, and insightful.

4. Good

17 points

Reflection hypothesis of which personal choices would be made if faced with ALS based on personal worldview is clear and thoughtful.

3. Satisfactory

15 points

Reflection hypothesis of which personal choices would be made if faced with ALS based on personal worldview is clear.

2. Less Than Satisfactory

13 points

Reflection hypothesis of which choices would be made if faced with ALS based on personal worldview is lacking a personal connection.

1. Unsatisfactory

0 points

Reflection hypothesis of which personal choices would be made if faced with ALS based on personal worldview is insufficient.

Thesis Development and Purpose

14 points

Criteria Description

Thesis Development and Purpose

5. Excellent

14 points

Thesis is comprehensive and contains the essence of the paper. Thesis statement makes the purpose of the paper clear.

4. Good

11.9 points

Thesis is clear and forecasts the development of the paper. Thesis is descriptive and reflective of the arguments and appropriate to the purpose.

3. Satisfactory

10.5 points

Thesis is apparent and appropriate to purpose.

2. Less Than Satisfactory

9.1 points

Thesis is insufficiently developed or vague. Purpose is not clear.

1. Unsatisfactory

0 points

Paper lacks any discernible overall purpose or organizing claim.

Argument Logic and Construction

16 points

Criteria Description

Argument Logic and Construction

5. Excellent

16 points

Clear and convincing argument presents a persuasive claim in a distinctive and compelling manner. All sources are authoritative.

4. Good

13.6 points

Argument shows logical progression. Techniques of argumentation are evident. There is a smooth progression of claims from introduction to conclusion. Most sources are authoritative.

3. Satisfactory

12 points

Argument is orderly, but may have a few inconsistencies. The argument presents minimal justification of claims. Argument logically, but not thoroughly, supports the purpose. Sources used are credible. Introduction and conclusion bracket the thesis.

2. Less Than Satisfactory

10.4 points

Sufficient justification of claims is lacking. Argument lacks consistent unity. There are obvious flaws in the logic. Some sources have questionable credibility.

1. Unsatisfactory

0 points

Statement of purpose is not justified by the conclusion. The conclusion does not support the claim made. Argument is incoherent and uses noncredible sources.

Mechanics of Writing (includes spelling, punctuation, grammar, language use)

10 points

Criteria Description

Mechanics of Writing (includes spelling, punctuation, grammar, language use)

5. Excellent

10 points

Writer is clearly in command of standard, written, academic English.

4. Good

8.5 points

Prose is largely free of mechanical errors, although a few may be present. The writer uses a variety of effective sentence structures and figures of speech.

3. Satisfactory

7.5 points

Some mechanical errors or typos are present, but they are not overly distracting to the reader. Correct and varied sentence structure and audience-appropriate language are employed.

2. Less Than Satisfactory

6.5 points

Frequent and repetitive mechanical errors distract the reader. Inconsistencies in language choice (register) or word choice are present. Sentence structure is correct but not varied.

1. Unsatisfactory

0 points

Surface errors are pervasive enough that they impede communication of meaning. Inappropriate word choice or sentence construction is used.

Paper Format (use of appropriate style for the major and assignment)

10 points

Criteria Description

Paper Format (use of appropriate style for the major and assignment)

5. Excellent

10 points

All format elements are correct.

4. Good

8.5 points

Appropriate template is fully used. There are virtually no errors in formatting style.

3. Satisfactory

7.5 points

Appropriate template is used. Formatting is correct, although some minor errors may be present.

2. Less Than Satisfactory

6.5 points

Appropriate template is used, but some elements are missing or mistaken. A lack of control with formatting is apparent.

1. Unsatisfactory

0 points

Template is not used appropriately, or documentation format is rarely followed correctly.

Documentation of Sources

10 points

Criteria Description

Documentation of Sources (citations, footnotes, references, bibliography, etc., as appropriate to assignment and style)

5. Excellent

10 points

Sources are completely and correctly documented, as appropriate to assignment and style, and format is free of error.

4. Good

8.5 points

Sources are documented, as appropriate to assignment and style, and format is mostly correct.

3. Satisfactory

7.5 points

Sources are documented, as appropriate to assignment and style, although some formatting errors may be present.

2. Less Than Satisfactory

6.5 points

Documentation of sources is inconsistent and/or incorrect, as appropriate to assignment and style, with numerous formatting errors.

1. Unsatisfactory

0 points

Sources are not documented.

Total 200 points

Case Study: End of Life Decisions – George’s Case of ALS
End-of-life decisions can be challenging not just for the patient but also for their families and caregivers and therefore require to be handled with great care, compassion, and concern. With the increasing incidence of chronic progressive conditions, evidence indicates that most patients prefer to die peacefully instead of getting aggressive life-prolonging treatments. In this case, the ethical dilemma arises from the case of George, whose condition’s prognosis is that over the next 3 to 5 years, he will not be able to walk, talk, eat and breathe. The complications pose the moral and ethical question of whether or not he can opt to end his life through voluntary euthanasia, considering that ALS has no cure. It is imperative to explore George’s case, an attorney diagnosed with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) in his mid-fifties, and the end-of-life decisions through a Christian worldview.
George’s Interpretation of His Suffering In Light Of the Christian Narrative
Many people, inclusive of George, in the world, ascribe to the religious view that holds that there exists a supreme being above humans who controls all the things that happen in this world. A significant number of these faithful are Christians who entertain the notion that there is a God who is omnipotent (all-powerful), omnipresent (exists everywhere in the universe), and omniscient (all-knowing). All Christians rely on the Holy Bible- their sacred book containing guiding principles and teachings that govern their everyday lives. Therefore, one would expect George to draw from biblical ethical and moral principles upon being diagnosed with ALS.
In his mid-fifties, George is at the prime of a successful career as a lawyer who doubles as a legal scholar at the university. He is also married and actively coaching his son’s basketball, thus undermining the man’s physical and athletic fitness. However, George’s health has fallen following a confirmed diagnosis of ALS, whose health implications are that his motor neurons are bound to deteriorate, albeit slowly. Furthermore, as the disease course progresses, it is anticipated that a time will come when George cannot breathe without the help of a machine for the rest of his life. Subsequently, the nerve cells that control the movement of voluntary muscles like walking, talking, and walking would be significantly hampered. Masrori & Van Dame (2020) further opine that ALS is a multisystem neurodegenerative disorder with its heterogeneity cutting across the clinical, genetic, and neurological levels with no known today. The sudden change of fortunes in George’s health reminds one of how according to the bible teaching, Job underwent the loss of all forms but still set his sights on God and trusted God
George’s Interpretation of His Suffering Premised on the Hope of Resurrection
As a practicing Christian, George can draw lessons from biblical figures like Job, whom God allowed suffering, although Job had not committed any transgressions to merit his suffering. In the case of George, ALS disease heterogeneity indicates that over 20 genes are linked to ALS, meaning some are beyond the patient’s control (Masrori & Van Damme, 2020). Like his biblical counterpart, George can consider the suffering arising from ALS disease to test his faith and his belief in God. The test of faith will not only get him through the suffering but also act as an inspiration to others, both old and young.
Most importantly, George would also get inspiration from the suffering of Jesus Christ in the New Testament, who overcame evil through his resurrection after persecution and crucifixion. The bible teaches that Jesus is the Son of God whose earthly mission is to redeem the fallen man through his crucifixion on the cross, three days of a death, and then rising from the dead on the third day. George is at liberty to believe that although he would die a physical death, he is bound to resurrect to a new heaven and a new earth where pain, suffering, and evil will be no more as the fallen world comes to an end as written in the bible. George’s faith in eternal life after resurrection would override his body and earthly state of illness. In this context of eternal life, a short life of suffering while respecting life and acknowledging that only God gives and takes life is a worthy quest.
How the Christian World View Would Inform His View about the Value of His Life
A confirmed diagnosis of ALS, a disease with no known cure, is bound to trigger the patient’s thoughts on the value of his life as a productive and useful human being. Biblical principles regard life as sacred, and no person can create, implying that life must be preserved irrespective of its quality or costs. The Christian worldview propagates the notion that only God bestows life on human beings and that He is the only one who should take it at His own appointed time. By extension, no other being, least of all humans, has a right to take another person’s life, including their own. Living this Christian principle in the context of George can use the ethical principle of autonomy to safeguard his life. Under the said concept, a patient afflicted by a disease has the autonomy to make a conscious decision about how care should proceed.
According to Dickinson (2019), a fundamental source of conflict here is to decide whether the decision of voluntary euthanasia should prevail as the greatest good to both himself and his family through beneficence or whether the Christian world view of respect to the sanctity of life which would translate to more suffering to him. Other principles that George will have to factor in besides autonomy and beneficence are no maleficence and justice. The ethical dilemma generated by the Christian belief in the value of life is one that George will have to tackle eventually.
Sorts of Values and Considerations That the Christian Worldview Would Focus On
From the very beginning, the decision on whether to take voluntary euthanasia using the Christian worldview lens means it violates the principle of no maleficence as it decrees one should not cause harm to anyone, including oneself. In terms of justice, the Christian worldview prohibits George from going through euthanasia as Christianity is opposed to any decision involving taking one’s life before the Creator’s appointed time. However, George has a confirmed diagnosis of ALS, an incurable disease where the nerve cells of his body are expected to degenerate to a level where he will not be able to participate in the activities of his family, community, and the general society at large. George considers euthanasia which to most Christians is tantamount to killing oneself before God has decreed one should die.
Options Morally Justifiable In the Christian Worldview for George
The ethical dilemma can be approached from different perspectives and still be defensible and morally justifiable. The morally justifiable option is to live through the suffering and let death occur naturally. George and the family would take the diagnosis and complications as part of life and endure through the long-term psychological, emotional, and economic turmoil hoping for an eventual spiritual relief in the afterlife. The option may guarantee pain and suffering, but it also respects the Christian principles of George coupled with autonomy. The option would strengthen George’s faith in God and respect life’s sanctity and sacred nature.

The Decision Make If you Were in George’s Situation Based on the Author’s Worldview
In my worldview, I would opt to live through the pain and suffering despite the high costs, uncertainity, and progressive deterioration of my condition. I would take the diagnosis as the potentially last fight of my life and trust God to take me through it all. My decision would be the respect the life and the blessings God has given me in my life. My prayer would be that even though I may never live to work again, my family never lacks, and I gather the strength to wake up each day.
The key tenets of the Christian worldview are the value and sanctity of human life. The trust is an Omnipotent, Omnipresent, and Omniscient God who grants and protects life and gives hope to those going through chronic progressive pain and suffering. Once sick, the individual has to strike a balance between what is moral and ethical versus what is not, as captured in George’s case of whether to have euthanasia or not. His decision would impact his life and his entire family, hence the importance of George’s spirituality in the decision and respect for the ethical principle that protects his decision. George and his provider must also consider assessing his family’s needs even as they respect his belief and religion and nurture a healthy trust in them.

References
Basinger, D. (2015). Religious diversity (pluralism).URL: http://www.newworldencyclopedia.org/entry/Pluralism
Batstone, E., Bailey, C., & Hallett, N. (2020). Spiritual care provision to end‐of‐life patients: A systematic literature review. Journal of Clinical Nursing, 29(19-20), 3609-3624.
Choudry, M., Latif, A., & Warburton, K. G. (2018). An overview of the spiritual importance of end-of-life care among the five major faiths of the United Kingdom. Clinical Medicine, 18(1), 23.
Dickinson, T. ( 2019). Christianity’s extraordinary solution to believing in God in a world of evil and pain
Kaier, K., Heister, T., Wolff, J., & Wolkewitz, M. (2020). Mechanical ventilation and the daily cost of ICU care. BMC health services research, 20(1), 1-5.
Koper, I., Pasman, H. R. W., Schweitzer, B. P., Kuin, A., & Onwuteaka-Philipsen, B. D. (2019). Spiritual care at the end of life in the primary care setting: experiences from spiritual caregivers-a mixed methods study. BMC palliative care, 18(1), 1-10.
Martins Pereira, S., Fradique, E., Hernandez-Marrero, P., & DELiCaSP, InPalIn, and Subproject ETHICS II of Project ENSURE. (2018). End-of-Life decision making in palliative care and recommendations of the Council of Europe: qualitative secondary analysis of interviews and observation field notes. Journal of Palliative Medicine, 21(5), 604-615.
Masrori, P., & Van Damme, P. (2020). Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis: a clinical review. European journal of neurology, 27(10), 1918-1929.
Rego, F., Gonçalves, F., Moutinho, S., Castro, L., & Nunes, R. (2020). The influence of spirituality on decision-making in palliative care outpatients: a cross-sectional study. BMC palliative care, 19(1), 1-14.