Clinical decision making is a multi-factorial element of nursing. In the Philippines, there are different factors as to how a nurse and the patient decide for their actions. This includes Age, Gender, Family Orientation, Ethnic Background, and Religion. Among all these variables, Religion stands out as the primary influence to the decisions of most Filipino nurses and patients.
The Divine Command Ethics Approach is based on the theory that there is a supreme who sets the rules and provides guidance to man's moral decisions. Among Christians, these rules are found in the Ten commandments.
In the health care setting, differences in religion may pose some problems during treatment. For example, members of the Jehovah's witnesses will not agree to blood transfusion even if their lives will be put in danger. Doctors use their alternatives out of respect for the patient's religious restrictions.
In some countries like the Unites states for example, legal abortion is considered in cases of rape or incest. However, ethicists still insist on the inviolability of life. They claim that while man is the owner of this life, it is God who gave him that life, therefore, no one has a right to take life except God.
Many nurses feel inadequate in so far as providing spiritual care to patients is concerned. Mostly, their immediate action is to call for spiritual assistance e.g., from lay groups, priests, ministers, imams, for patients who are dying. Close observation and interaction would reveal that patients have spiritual concerns about their ailment. Many patients would ask, "Why is this happening to me? Is my illness a punishment for what I have done? Or what will happen to me or my family when I die?"
Nurses can offer the most basic assistance to patients by finding time to listen to their concerns. By their mere presence, their caring attitude, active listening therapeutic touch and words of comfort, they can provide healing to the patients. (Nursing Management Towards Quality Care, p. 261-262)
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