Is there an historical explanation for this volunteerism? Is this idea based on religious concepts that have hung on for thousands of years past the life of a particular religion? Or is this a return to an idea represented by the updated Hippocratic. Oath, where health care providers swear to look after their fellow human beings because it is simply what humanity is supposed to do?

Religious Studies 161 — Reflection Essay 1

Why do health care providers say they feel ‘called’ to help fight life-threatening diseases?

Subject:

We are living through a pandemic on a global scale. The fight against COVID-19 has occupied the hearts and minds of people everywhere, but perhaps no one has faced the pandemic with more fortitude than frontline health care workers. This pattern of selfless, lifesaving care has been repeated globally, with health care providers going into ICUs and emergency rooms to offer care to the sick, often at the risk of their own life. Why would anybody do this? Simply out of the kindness of their heart? Or is there a historical or religious precedent for this philosophy? And if so, is it still relevant to actions taken today?

With this in mind, in anticipation of our first class discussion please write a short paper reflecting on the question “Why do doctors, nurses, and other health care providers say they feel `called’ to help fight life-threatening diseases?” such as COVID, SIRS (the first one), Ebola, AIDS, etc. Is there an historical explanation for this volunteerism? Is this idea based on religious concepts that have hung on for thousands of years past the life of a particular religion? Or is this a return to an idea represented by the updated Hippocratic. Oath, where health care providers swear to look after their fellow human beings because it is simply what humanity is supposed to do?

Focus your answer on evidence from our readings and/or class lectures. For example, you are welcome to look back to Suhnasy, discuss his ideas along with the content of Paraceistis’s prayer, and explore both of these in the context of a health care worker who has expressed a motivation to help fight global disease. In order to answer this you may include your own research, so long as you are grounding your ideas in legitimate sources — not sources that are speculation or opinion. Your paper needs to include a supporting discussion based on at least TWO of this unit’s readings.