Question

What spiritual considerations surrounding a disaster can arise for individuals, communities, and health care providers? Explain your answer in the context of a natural or manmade disaster. How can a community health nurse assist in the spiritual care of the individual, community, self, and colleagues?

Answer 1

spiritual facts and care related to disaster:-

A variety of spiritual issues surrounding a disaster can arise for individuals, communities, and health care providers, due to the fact that most individuals within our society practice some form of religion or spirituality, which will have a tremendous bearing on their viewpoints in regards to natural disasters. Depending on the religious affiliation of an individual, there are a variety of reasons that natural disasters affect mankind in the manner that they do, and the reasons that are contained in religious texts will largely be the reason that a given individual will accept as the cause of the natural disaster. In most religious doctrines natural disasters are explained as punishments that man undergoes for the violation of spiritual law, or principles.

In terms of a manmade disaster, the after effects can include: distrust in the community, hopelessness for individuals, and a sense of struggle for health care providers. Spirituality is an aspect of life that is important to some and non-important to others. In my personal opinion, we all have some form of spirituality and sense of being within us, even though it may be blocked out consciously and emotionally from someone. Disasters can change someone obviously physically, but internally as well. Disaster can cause a sense of impending doom that can come and go after the disaster has ended. This may lead someone to lean on spiritual aspects, or it may cause the reverse and enable someone to change their beliefs and initiate negativity and hopelessness.

Communities can develop a sense of distrust in each other, in their faith, and in their future. The spiritual strength that held a community together previously to the disaster could become disrupted and can result in complete chaos and misunderstanding.

Role of health care workers and nurses:-

For healthcare providers, the aspect of spirituality can be brought to light quickly when being involved in a disaster. The feelings of sadness, despair, and grief from viewing trauma to innocent individuals may cause healthcare providers to seek religious and spiritual healing to restore their faith and guidance.

Understanding an individual’s view on spirituality and its possibility to help an individual heal is necessary, especially in a time of disaster, regardless of the cause. A community health nurse can assist in spiritual care of individuals, the community, and colleagues by recognizing and assessing for this trait and the individual and community view. This will promote understanding and compassionate individualized care, which can result in faster healing and recovery.

Providing education. Educating consumers and the community gives them the knowledge they need to make it safely through a disaster and help others. Knowledge can also do much to alleviate fear and anxiety.

Volunteering. Nurses who volunteer and become involved with an organized disaster response system are better prepared when disaster strikes.

Assisting during a disaster. A nurse may be assigned a variety of tasks during a disaster such as delivering first aid and medication, assessing the state of victims, and monitoring mental health needs.

Preparing self and family. Some nurses have family members who rely on them. Personal preparation with an emergency plan and basic emergency supplies can help to ensure their families' safety while easing the nurse's worries.