Personhood

Spirituality is described as something that in ecclesiastical law belongs to the church or to a cleric as such, an attachment or sensitivity to religious values. (Merriam-Webster, 2017) Spirituality may mean different things to different people based upon their social upbringing, religious preferences, and their life experiences. In this paper, I will discuss my personal worldview and how it is seen through my point of view.

A worldview is defined as a comprehensive method of observing the realm near you. (GCU, 2015) Our worldview starts at a very early age based on our cultures, religion, social upbringing, and our exposures to society. These things help shape and form our beliefs and show in our practices today as health care professionals. Per Sire, a worldview is expressed as “a commitment, a fundamental orientation of the heart, which can be expressed as a story or in a set of presuppositions. (Sire, 2004) Philosophers refer to worldview when they mean the basic assumptions that underlie a system of thought. Anthropologists use the term in a broader way to identify not only the wellsprings of our thinking but our way of life as well.” (Shelly & Miller, 2006)

Today, spirituality in managed care is vital in encouraging an individual’s entire welfare which dictates an acknowledgement that every has a distinctive private spiritualty that desires to be attended at a time of emergency and ailment. (Hilsman, 1996) Occasionally, when attending physicians, case managers and other ancillary are bedside, they often forget about the spirituality aspect. I often wondered if they felt uncomfortable about the topic or maybe they had not developed the same relationship as the primary care staff. “Ninety percent of American adults believe in God and 82% pray weekly. A majority wants their physicians to address spirituality during their health care visit. However, clinicians incorporate spiritual discussion in less than 20% of visits.” (Mccauley et al.) Religious or compassionate care encompasses attending the complete individual—the physical, emotional, social, and spiritual. Serving patients may involve spending time with them, holding their hands, and talking about what is important to them. Patients value these experiences with their physicians. (Puchalski)

As we know it, there are many worldviews that we are unfamiliar with. It is important for healthcare workers to remain steadfast and be somewhat familiar with those they may encounter on a daily basis. To better understand other worldviews, we first should understand that prime reality is what is actually real. Personally, prime reality is God. I was raised in a Christian home and we worshiped the Lord. I believe God is real, that he guides my steps and he is preparing me for something greater. I wholeheartedly believe that every human being was created and placed on this earth, that God