Patient Education

Psychosocial Factors and Patient Education 09 Oct 11 Zahava Ohana Homework Week Two (1) Give examples of psychosocial factors that affect the health care professional and the effect those factors could have on the patient education; Patient’s background. For example, that patient came from a background that does not believe on any medicines. They go to a â€Å"voodoo doctor† for some spiritual interventions and they are content on that. Because they are not too well educated or maybe it is their first time being seen in a medical treatment facility. This is will leave a lot of patience on the patient care professional and have way of approach how to convince that patient to be compliant by gathering more information on why this patient don’t believe in taking medications. (2) Give examples of psychosocial factors that affect the patient and the effect those factors could have on patient education; I only have an example of psychosocial factors that affect the patient and the effect those factors on patient education are his or her previous experiences. For example, this patient had been treated horribly on his past visit for PTSD. We know this kind of problem or disorder is very important. Especially to a military that were â€Å"blown up†. This type of patients needs extra assistance and a careful note taking. Guiding him to the right person and always reinforced by a good patient education. By showing them, you care and always ready for them. This will make his previous experiences is outdated†. Because, you took the time and showing the patient by explaining the necessary things that he will be going during his next visits. (3) Explain what is meant by personality styles and give examples of approaches that could be used to help the patient. Include self-perfection as a factor; This is the patients or individual lifetime fingerprint or history. Since childbirth, every human being is already being mold in types of personality styles. One is introvert or extrovert. One is made by thinking and the other is feeling. Example a Marine that has a high pain tolerance. When he presents himself at sickbay, he seems fine and not distressed. Because through his time he learned how to block the pain and keep going. This approach will be tough at times because he tell you the only reason he came to sickbay is my boss ordered me to seek medical help. This is so common in the military not showing the true self because the failure of not an option. A good subjective note will determine on how bad his injury is. After his medical examination a good concise and list of things on how to take medication he was prescribe, a physical therapy appointments that need to be present on all his appointments. In addition, informing his superiors regarding his conditions. (4) List the steps in adjustment to illness and how the patient copes with each of the steps; Denial is one of the steps in adjustments to illness. For instance, a patient was diagnosed with lung cancer. That patient will go to all the stages first will be denial, ‘this can’t be†, next will be anger, â€Å"why this happened to me now’, bargaining is next, â€Å"I will be a good person and hope this cancer goes away†, next is depression, that patient will stop caring and last one is acceptance, he is ready and understand why it happened. This step depends on how the patient will cope on this step. He can go straight acceptance. It is very hard to understand denials. Compensatory strategies for example a patient is so good in playing sports like basketball after an uneventful tragedy the patient was injured and ended up his basketball career. Nevertheless, his passion in basketball he ended using his talent by coaching young kids to be a good player. This is how he copes by helping and sharing all his ideas and skills on how to be the best and dominant individual in the court. (5) explain the health professional’s role in teaching the patient at different life stages; The health professional’s role in teaching at different life stages is very challenging and rewarding. It should be approach on patient’s level not at health professional. Patients are not taught all the fancy medical terminologies. However, we are taught these terminologies to apply it in our notes. The patient relays to you the problem and the health professional translate to our medical notes and convey it to the medical providers. It should not matter if we are dealing with a toddler or a geriatric. Because it how the health professional handles and delivers. All stages should be treated the same. Patient education will be taught or relay to the patient in trusting and clear instructions and always have a time of asking. Either the patient ask the health professional ask first the questions or you ask the question if there is a need of clarification. This is what I have been doing when I approach a patient. I get on my knees or sit right next to them. Asking the pertinent questions and before they leave the medical facility. I proudly and confident ask if they need some assistance in getting to their car or escorting them to their love ones and If the patient is able enough I explained to the patient all the important things along with their relatives. 6) define the role of the family in patient education; The role of the family in patient education plays a major part. As we all know family support systems is either good or bad. Sometimes, a decision of a family member can result to a life-altering event towards patient’s recovery or vice versa. This also includes their beliefs if they need to continue to support what the health professional instructions or just go with belief not seek further medical treatment because it is not their belief or they are fully convinced by the health professional’s patient education. Nevertheless, if a family supports and follows the instructions from the health professional it lessens our burden or task in hand. Because we have these supporting group that is willingly to assist you especially when saw your confidence, trust and motivation. (7) How might the family influence the compliance of the patient and what measures can the health care professional use in communication with the family; The family can influence the patient compliance in many ways. The eagerness of the family in helping their sick love ones to the path of recovery. Because the family believes the health professional’s explanation was clear and open of all question and suggestion. The best measure use in the communication is one on one with the patient’s family. Explaining to them all the procedures, what to expect after the procedures, the medications that will be prescribe to the patient and how to assist the patient in day-to-day task. Following it up by appointments and reminding them a day prior of the follow up appointments. Psychosocial factors and patient education will always come in hand to hand. It is how the health professional approach a patient in different stages. â€Å"Adaptable and overcome’. This is what I was been taught and learned when I was in military for 20 years. Always on the ready to any things that comes to you. References 1) Text: Falvo, Chapters 4 – 6 2) Module Two; Lecture Two 3) Eberle, C. (n. d. ) Illness behavior in the elderly. University of Nebraska Medical Center. Retrieved July 5, 2007, from http:// webmedia. unmc. edu/intmed/geriatrics/lectures/ill_behv2_03_files/outline. htm