Explain the Most Common Health Disparities Found Among Clients Receiving Care at Your Clinical Site.
Thus far, each and every patient I have assisted in providing care to, in the care management office at Penobscot Community Health Care – Brewer Medical Center, has had diabetes mellitus. Although a patient may be referred to care management due to health disparities other than diabetes mellitus, according to my preceptor, diabetes mellitus is the most common health disparity amongst the patients she serves in this community. As the prevalence of diabetes mellitus continues to rise, the need for incorporation of all levels of preventative health interventions is critical. Although many patients may be referred to care management due to their diabetes mellitus, many require health education regarding management of their comorbidities. Due to the multifactorial nature of diabetes mellitus type two, patients often require a great deal of education. Patients do not only receive education regarding dietary recommendations, but are also instructed on medication adherence, the importance of checking blood sugars regularly, as well as advised on the importance daily physical activity. The care provided to the patients with diabetes mellitus is primarily tertiary prevention in nature, which focuses on management and prevention of deterioration of the disease state. Discuss Possible Interventions to Address Health Disparities for Clients Receiving Care at Your Site. Reference Evidence About the Impact of Health Disparities on Health Outcomes. Diabetes mellitus can have a profound effect on an individual’s quality of life as well as health outcomes. Health outcomes may be significantly impacted complications such as heart failure, myocardial infarctions, ischemic heart disease, renal failure, blindness, and amputation (Hayes et al., 2016). Due to the seriousness of the of the physical health disparities associated with diabetes mellitus, the emotional, psychological and social burdens diabetes may present, are often overlooked. While assisting with the management and prevention of negative health outcomes associated with diabetes mellitus, health care providers must consider the physiological toll diabetes mellitus may pose on patients. According to Pearce, Pereira and Davis (2013), “the psychological consequences of diabetes can be significant, including feelings of loss, anger, depression, anxiety, and disordered eating (p. 578). Prior to initiating interventions to combat the disease and the associated complications, healthcare providers must assess their patients’ health literacy. It is critical that all information and education is provided at a level that is appropriate. Healthcare providers must evaluate their own communications skills, the level of difficulty of the reading material they may provide, as well as any cultural or linguistic barriers that may be present. Lastly, the provider must assist the patient in setting realistic and achievable goals. As aforementioned, each level of preventative care is applicable in …show more content…
I believe preventative health care must be the top priority, in order to decrease the increasing rate of individuals affected by diabetes mellitus. All patient’s, regardless of their current health practices and family history, must be educated on the risk factors associated with the development of diabetes. Furthermore, health care providers must provide all patients with education regarding dietary recommendations and the importance of regular physical activity, in the aim of decreasing the occurrence of diabetes mellitus type two through primary prevention measures. Referral to a care manager may be appropriate at this time, as many individuals require assistance with making certain lifestyle
Thus far, each and every patient I have assisted in providing care to, in the care management office at Penobscot Community Health Care – Brewer Medical Center, has had diabetes mellitus. Although a patient may be referred to care management due to health disparities other than diabetes mellitus, according to my preceptor, diabetes mellitus is the most common health disparity amongst the patients she serves in this community. As the prevalence of diabetes mellitus continues to rise, the need for incorporation of all levels of preventative health interventions is critical. Although many patients may be referred to care management due to their diabetes mellitus, many require health education regarding management of their comorbidities. Due to the multifactorial nature of diabetes mellitus type two, patients often require a great deal of education. Patients do not only receive education regarding dietary recommendations, but are also instructed on medication adherence, the importance of checking blood sugars regularly, as well as advised on the importance daily physical activity. The care provided to the patients with diabetes mellitus is primarily tertiary prevention in nature, which focuses on management and prevention of deterioration of the disease state. Discuss Possible Interventions to Address Health Disparities for Clients Receiving Care at Your Site. Reference Evidence About the Impact of Health Disparities on Health Outcomes. Diabetes mellitus can have a profound effect on an individual’s quality of life as well as health outcomes. Health outcomes may be significantly impacted complications such as heart failure, myocardial infarctions, ischemic heart disease, renal failure, blindness, and amputation (Hayes et al., 2016). Due to the seriousness of the of the physical health disparities associated with diabetes mellitus, the emotional, psychological and social burdens diabetes may present, are often overlooked. While assisting with the management and prevention of negative health outcomes associated with diabetes mellitus, health care providers must consider the physiological toll diabetes mellitus may pose on patients. According to Pearce, Pereira and Davis (2013), “the psychological consequences of diabetes can be significant, including feelings of loss, anger, depression, anxiety, and disordered eating (p. 578). Prior to initiating interventions to combat the disease and the associated complications, healthcare providers must assess their patients’ health literacy. It is critical that all information and education is provided at a level that is appropriate. Healthcare providers must evaluate their own communications skills, the level of difficulty of the reading material they may provide, as well as any cultural or linguistic barriers that may be present. Lastly, the provider must assist the patient in setting realistic and achievable goals. As aforementioned, each level of preventative care is applicable in …show more content…
I believe preventative health care must be the top priority, in order to decrease the increasing rate of individuals affected by diabetes mellitus. All patient’s, regardless of their current health practices and family history, must be educated on the risk factors associated with the development of diabetes. Furthermore, health care providers must provide all patients with education regarding dietary recommendations and the importance of regular physical activity, in the aim of decreasing the occurrence of diabetes mellitus type two through primary prevention measures. Referral to a care manager may be appropriate at this time, as many individuals require assistance with making certain lifestyle