Question

Margaret Schmidt, a terminally ill 60-year-old American of German descent, was recently admitted to a hospice service and is receiving care at home. Diagnosed with metastatic breast cancer, Margaret’s prognosis is less than 6 months. Margaret’s cancer has metastasized to her ribs and liver and often causes intense pain. Although Margaret speaks freely of her impending death, her family has expressed their discomfort at her decision to secure hospice care. Over the last 10 years, Margaret, a nurse, has practiced homeopathy (for herself and others) and consults frequently with a medical intuitionist. She follows the medical intuitionist’s recommendations to attenuate her symptoms but avoids, when she can, the traditional cancer pain–management therapies. Medical staff and her family have entered into continuous discussions with her about her lack of acceptance of traditional medical approaches. Margaret remains unconvinced of their value within her scheme of care. Margaret maintains a strong belief in an afterlife, believing that she will be reunited with her husband. Margaret meditates daily, calling upon her spiritual guides and angels for strength and peace in the dying process. She often asks those around her to join her during this time. Study Question.5. What is your view of the use of medical intuitionists and other non- Western health practices? 6. How do Margaret’s health-care choices differ or match your own? 7. How do you deal with cultural health practices unlike your own? 8. Discuss Margaret’s desire to control her life even through terminal illness.

Answer 1

5.Medical intutionists and other non western health practices (complementary and alternative medicine) focuses on the treatment by treating its root cause mainly by the use of acupuncture,spiritual support,herbal supplements,relaxation techniques, etc., This provides a patient a comfort from inner and devote them to the spirituality and believe that there is a life after death .So death has to be welcomed naturally.

6.Her choice differ by thinking that there is a life after death and she is going to live with her husband. It can a super nature or superpower intuition of aftermath of life

7.The cultural practices has to be dealt in the following way

• Understand and accept patient feelings and emotions in regards to their cultural believes and practices
• Donot argue against them ,this can be disrespectful act
• The practice of the family members has to be assessed and they should be provided psychological support.

8.Her desire is a positive approach at the end of life which can be hard for others (family members and close friends) to accept but is a strong intuition of her that there is a after life .So it is rather to support her and overcome the disease with less discomfort the family can be with her.This can always give a psychological and emotional strength to terminal patients when the family members listen to them.