Health disparities are a major concern among our nation. The Department of Human Health Services and National Institute of Health (2009) define health disparity as population-specific difference in: the burden of the disease, including incidence, prevalence and mortality, health outcomes, and access to care. There are many factors that contribute to health disparities, such as; socio-economic status, cultural variations, political, social, and historical factors. In the United States, oral health disparities continue to rise, reducing oral health disparities by educating and improving access to care is essential in our overall health. Socioeconomic status plays a crucial role when it comes to the type of healthcare you receive. Unfortunately,
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During my clinical rotation a few weeks ago, I found this to be a big issue. Several dentists in Aroostook County are unwilling to treat patients with Medicaid and Maincare, therefore this increases the amount of people who rely on the Emergency Department for routine dental problems. Sometimes when patients come in with reported pain, what the doctor can do is sometimes limited. They may be able to prescribe pain medications for their pain, but may be limited as far as their education when it comes to …show more content…
Kleinman describes patients explanatory model of illness as “the notions about an episode of sickness and its treatment that are employed by all those engaged in the clinical process” (Kleiman, 1980, p. 105). When assessing a patient I believe that the eight open-ended questions Kleiman identified in his model would be beneficial, it would help you understand your patients needs and develop a plan of care allows your patient to receive the best care
During my clinical rotation a few weeks ago, I found this to be a big issue. Several dentists in Aroostook County are unwilling to treat patients with Medicaid and Maincare, therefore this increases the amount of people who rely on the Emergency Department for routine dental problems. Sometimes when patients come in with reported pain, what the doctor can do is sometimes limited. They may be able to prescribe pain medications for their pain, but may be limited as far as their education when it comes to …show more content…
Kleinman describes patients explanatory model of illness as “the notions about an episode of sickness and its treatment that are employed by all those engaged in the clinical process” (Kleiman, 1980, p. 105). When assessing a patient I believe that the eight open-ended questions Kleiman identified in his model would be beneficial, it would help you understand your patients needs and develop a plan of care allows your patient to receive the best care