Reflective Summary And Analysis
Each person is born into a social and cultural setting that eventually develops how one responds to medical treatment under these influences. In our readings, it states, that social class determines the family functions of provisions of adequate economic support and allocations. Due to differences in resources, there is a positive association among socioeconomic status and physical and mental health (Friedman, Bowden & Jones, 2003). In our line of work, we have seen how social class determines how and where our patients receive treatment. Given that social class can be the reason one is able to pay financially for expenses of specialized diagnostic and treatment procedures (Friedman, Bowden & Jones, 2003). At my previous job working
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with oncology patients, there was this gentleman that had been diagnosed with terminal cancer. He was told about a pill he needed to take daily that would extend his life, but in return, this drug would cost him thousands of dollars a month. He had told me he refused treatment he felt it was more important to leave his family financially sound than to extend his life for a few months or years. Those “few months or years” could have meant everything to him and family, but due to their social class and the financial burden that would follow he made a difficult decision to not pursue this treatment option.
Friedman, M. M., Bowden, V. R., & Jones, E. G. (2003). Family nursing: Research, theory, and practice (5th ed.). Upper Saddle River, NJ: Prentice Hall.
It is said in our reading, that cultural differences between client and provider are often the root of poor communication, interpersonal tension, and inadequate assessment and care.
Language is a fundamental aspect of culture; language barriers present major obstacles (Friedman, Bowden & Jones, 2003). A few weeks ago I was actually presented with an obstacle of a language barrier. My patient was Philippine and understood and spoke very little English. I had received her for her day of surgery alone and was told that her daughter who was an ICU nurse usually helped translate but could not be present due to her job schedule. I knew I was going to need help other than her family members if I was going to ever properly assess and address and explain her consent for surgery. I had two options, a phone-based interpretation service or two co-workers that were very fluent Philippine expert nurses that had been certified as medical interpreters. I felt confident my co-workers would help me better address this barrier and help me form some kind of rapport with my patient. For a moment there, to be honest, I felt hopeless and useless, but I did not let that get in my way of forming some kind of rapport with my patient. All my questions for my assessment were addressed and her preoperative testing went smoothly and verbalized understanding. While we waited for her to go into surgery she was able to communicate with me her basic needs that I was happy I could assist her
in. I don’t think I would have taken an alternative course of action other than making sure that all my patients get a proper interpreter and translator to avoid the risk of medication errors, wrong procedures, and avoidable readmissions and other adverse events.
with oncology patients, there was this gentleman that had been diagnosed with terminal cancer. He was told about a pill he needed to take daily that would extend his life, but in return, this drug would cost him thousands of dollars a month. He had told me he refused treatment he felt it was more important to leave his family financially sound than to extend his life for a few months or years. Those “few months or years” could have meant everything to him and family, but due to their social class and the financial burden that would follow he made a difficult decision to not pursue this treatment option.
Friedman, M. M., Bowden, V. R., & Jones, E. G. (2003). Family nursing: Research, theory, and practice (5th ed.). Upper Saddle River, NJ: Prentice Hall.
It is said in our reading, that cultural differences between client and provider are often the root of poor communication, interpersonal tension, and inadequate assessment and care.
Language is a fundamental aspect of culture; language barriers present major obstacles (Friedman, Bowden & Jones, 2003). A few weeks ago I was actually presented with an obstacle of a language barrier. My patient was Philippine and understood and spoke very little English. I had received her for her day of surgery alone and was told that her daughter who was an ICU nurse usually helped translate but could not be present due to her job schedule. I knew I was going to need help other than her family members if I was going to ever properly assess and address and explain her consent for surgery. I had two options, a phone-based interpretation service or two co-workers that were very fluent Philippine expert nurses that had been certified as medical interpreters. I felt confident my co-workers would help me better address this barrier and help me form some kind of rapport with my patient. For a moment there, to be honest, I felt hopeless and useless, but I did not let that get in my way of forming some kind of rapport with my patient. All my questions for my assessment were addressed and her preoperative testing went smoothly and verbalized understanding. While we waited for her to go into surgery she was able to communicate with me her basic needs that I was happy I could assist her
in. I don’t think I would have taken an alternative course of action other than making sure that all my patients get a proper interpreter and translator to avoid the risk of medication errors, wrong procedures, and avoidable readmissions and other adverse events.