Introduction
As the world changes, the health care systems are also changing to accommodate the aspect of modernity. As a result, cultural values, beliefs, and practices are hardly considered or respected (Fairbrother & Paice, 2005). The dignity and respect for human life that existed traditionally continue to decline in recent times where voluntary and involuntary euthanasias have gained popularity (Dzaher, 2016). Since whole-being comprises of body, mind, and spirit, the role and importance of culture in spirituality should not be oversimplified. The paper aims at identifying the roles and approaches that a health professional should emulate in respect to culture basing the argument on 'Stories of Abby.'
Supporting The Ritual and Creating Strategies
Dealing with death situations is among the most stressful experiences for the family and health professionals (Dzaher, 2016). However, focusing on the patient's requirements at the moment is more critical to ease the role of the family. As a nurse, it is professional to show openness to cultural rituals and spiritual strategies decided by the family so long as they are ethical and do not interfere with daily routines (Gelfand et al., 2005). Encouraging the family to share memories, make tapes, write letters, or keep journals would be an ideal spiritual comfort.
Communication Strategies
Although people feel uncomfortable talking about death, communication in provision of end of life care is imperative since it provides an opportunity to explore and reduce gaps, anxieties, and distress among family members (Dzaher, 2016). Initiating, facilitating, and responding to questions is a vital communication strategy. Documenting a patient's wishes where possible would assist in easing decision-making burdens for the family, similar to those in Abby’s situation. Therefore, the value of preparing people through sensitive communication for what they expect from their loved ones should not be underestimated.
Family Education
Family education, through regular updates on the patient's condition, treatment, and care, would help the family make informed and timely decisions and therefore making it possible to make any necessary changes (Dzaher, 2016). Although no one intends the patients to suffer unnecessarily, their capability to hear and comprehend at a deeper level should be respected (Gelfand et al., 2005). Mary became a spiritual tool at the threshold of her mother's death despite the family's believes in the modern medical system. Educating the family concerning the signs that the patients are likely to experience relieves anxiety fro family members.
Family Support
Mary wanted her mother to pass naturally, which is the Indian way (Gelfand et al., 2005). Nurses ought to have helped in easing the disagreement among the family members. Alongside meeting the needs of the family, such as a request for a private room, and permission to cleanse Abby with sweetgrass and sage and wash her with cedar and tobacco, the nurses should provide emotional support (Gelfand et al., 2005). Study reveals that music therapy or soft lighting can improve the patient's mood by reducing pain and increasing relaxation (Fairbrother & Paice, 2005). Often, our presence with the family is usually enough.
Conclusion
Abby’s story reveals that the nurses were profoundly moved after witnessing her death. Hence, I concur with Gelfand et al. (2005) that the modern health system should encourage diversity of approaches in the dying process. The sense of hearing is the last to leave when a patient is dying and should be respected before crossing over to a different world of existence through spiritual interventions such as prayers, singing, reading scriptures, or cultural practices if the family so intends. These are examples of the most adaptive strategies that are believed to offer a peaceful rest of the soul for dying patients.
