BN 55_Appropriateness and Effectiveness of Religious Care based

Evidence Live 2015,
Examination Schools, University of Oxford, UK
April 13-14, 2015
Mt. Olive Hospital Okinawa, Japan
Chairman
.
Shinichi Tagami, Ed.D, Ph.D.
“Fixing the problems with EBM: Refocusing on useable evidence that benefits patients in real world settings
APPROPREATENESS AND EFFECTIVENESS OF RELIGIOUS CARE BASED ON EVIDENCE
Background
As our culture becomes increasingly pluralistic, for some people spiritual care may also mean
facilitating relationships with various spirits. Thus, there are conflicts and contradictions in
understanding the methods of religious care.（Patient/Problem）
In order to determine appropriate and effective approaches to the methods of religious care, the
objective evidence must be considered, just as in physical care. Otherwise we may harm
patients with “wrong treatments” in providing religious care. There are two poles of religious
care as follows:
The first rule of spiritual care should be the same as
for any medical intervention—do no harm.
Although these therapies may look harmless and
inviting, before using them we must first investigate
their spiritual sources and ultimate ends, as well as
their safety and effectiveness. (Shelly, 2000)
As we Christians respect our own faith in a mature society,
we must respect others’ faith and viewpoints. This
attitude is very important in hospice care. It is not
desirable to take care of a dying person with a caregiver’s
faith as a priori, forcing their faith upon them. Christians
need to accept people as they are.
(Kanda, 1999)
Aims
While respecting others’ faith and viewpoints in our practice, based on the evidence, we must
determine which of the various approaches are appropriate and effective. （Intervention）
Methods
Cursing in a traditional Okinawan folk religion is contrasted and compared to the approach of
forgiveness in Christianity for alleviating patients’ fears and sense of peace during their
terminal period.（Comparison）
Deceased in peace
＋Spiritual
Level
Examined Period
Hospitalization with fear
0
Curse by a shaman
No peace
Patient’ Response
“How much is it for prayer?”
Denial of faith
－Spiritual
Level
Forgiveness with a
dream of Christ
Chaplain’s answer
“Jesus paid it all”
Reconciliation
Cursing
Negative Karma
Always not enough
Forgiveness
Deliverance
Paid it off
As he went along, he saw a man blind from birth. His disciples asked him, “Rabbi, who sinned,
this man or his parents, that he was born blind?” “Neither this man nor his parents sinned,” said
Jesus, “but this happened so that the works of God might be displayed in him. John 9:1-3
The Spirit you received does not make you slaves, so that you live in fear again; rather, the Spirit
you received brought about your adoption to sonship. And by him we cry, “Abba, Father.”
Romans 8:15
Results
Cursing caused fear while forgiveness gave peacefulness in patients in their terminal stages.
（Outcome）