Chapter 1: Introduction to the Problem
The influence of prayer on the injured body is indeed an asset to the promotion of wellness in patients. In many cases patients do not know about prayer and the amazing way that it can calm anxiety and soothe many conditions. It is essential and vital that practitioners explore the psychological and physical aspects that are useful in coping with medical conditions. This study will explore the benefits of using prayer as a tool to aid patients in coping with medical conditions. Research will be conducted in my local church to prove this point.
Problem Statement
The purpose of this proposal is to investigate whether the use of prayer by church members ages 18 and above both male and female can result in an overall holistic sense of well being at my local church. Many people experience misfortune as a normal process of life and the intense pain experienced within can often be difficult to bear. This quantitative project will explore the number of members who actually incorporate prayer in their lives as a strategy to decrease painful experiences. The resources utilized consist of the internet and nursing journals.
Significance of the study
The study of this topic is important because it will shed light upon a powerful element that is often missing in medical environments. Prayer as a tool to cope is essential and this study will attempt to unveil its significance in patient recovery. The principal of faith expressed by patrons of a local church will demonstrate whether prayer is valuable especially when faced with medical illness.
Research Questions
The proposed study will be guided by the following research questions:How prevalent is the use of prayer related to the healing process of medical conditions among church members aged 18 years and above?
What roles does prayer have on reducing painful experiences and promoting a holistic sense of well being among church members?
How can nursing leaders and nurses benefit from using prayer as a facilitation tool in the patients healing plan?Hypothesis
The selected area of study impacts nursing because anecdotal evidence demonstrates that the process of prayer results in healing and may serve as an alternative means of medical intervention (Head 2004). Studies have demonstrated that prayer has the capacity to not only decrease anxiety and depression but also to promote wellness and enhance the overall quality of life (Lavery & OHea 2010). Consequently a study on this topic is beneficial to nursing practice as it will provide nurse leaders and staff with an avenue to deal with spiritual matters and demonstrate deeper insights into the major impact of prayer on health matters affecting the target group. More importantly the study findings may assist reinforce the assertions that prayer as a non medical intervention not only facilitates the healing process and serves as a conduit which results in positive health outcomes but also assists in the patients overall plan of care (Head 2004). Going by these assertions the proposed study will aim to prove or disprove the following hypothesis:
H1: The use of prayer initiates a positive coping mechanism to deal with painful experiences and therefore increases the overall holistic sense of well being among church members of the local church.
Definition of Terms
The following terms were utilized for purposes of this study.
Prayer
Prayer is the communication with a being considered more powerful with the belief in the existence of the being and with the aim of receiving a response (Head 2004).
Summary
Studies relating spirituality to medical aspects are not new (Bridges & Moore 2002). The recent change of culture towards customer service has seen medical institutions turn to considering patient requirements and incorporate prayer into clinical practice (Kutz 2004). This is however hardly the only reason. Studies have shown that a patients belief in prayer and its purpose in healing causes emotional calm and rest which is associated with better healing. A study by the British Medical Journal in 2001 also indicated that patients who prayed had a shorter hospital stay (Kutz 2004). Prayer has also been seen to assist patients with chronic illness to cope with their conditions (Wachholtz & Sambamoorthi 2011).