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2324 Words
Q1. Outline the one determinant of health and relate to this case study
Understanding Daniel's health and well-being in the case study of the 15-month-old child in the care of his parents and aunt depends heavily on the "Social and Community Context" variable. This variable includes the networks of community members, families, and support systems that play a critical role in influencing a person's health throughout the course of their lifetime (Networkforphl.org, 2022). Daniel's family structure in which his aunt Amanda looks after him throughout the day while his mother works, is an example of a strong support network inside the family. But the episode where Amanda finds injuries on Daniel and reports them to social services without talking to his mother, Jessica, brings attention to possible communication and trust issues within the family.
The participation of social services makes the role of community networks clear (Haldane et al., 2019). The community's responsibility to protect children's welfare is emphasised by their prompt response in evaluating Daniel's home environment. Daniel's safety and well-being depend heavily on this outside intervention, especially when possible dangers are discovered within the home environment.
For a youngster such as Daniel, health and well-being are not limited to the absence of physical injury; they also involve the caring and emotionally supporting elements of their surroundings. The relationships and roles that Daniel's parents, aunt, and relatives play in his growth as an emotional and social being are all greatly influenced by these dynamics. The atmosphere of cooperation and trust that is required for good parenting may be compromised by the lack of communication surrounding the bruise occurrence (Sanvictores and Mendez, 2022).
Additionally, this instance shows how closely social and familial circumstances affect health and well-being, especially in early childhood, which is a crucial time for social, emotional, and physical development. A person's health and well-being are significantly impacted in the long run by the experiences and standard of treatment received during this period (Better Health Channel, 2020). Children's resilience and healthy development are greatly aided by an engaged and supportive community network in addition to a loving and open home environment. Further, Daniel's case's "Social and Community Context" variable emphasises the complex interplay between family relationships, community involvement, and a child's general health and well-being all of which have an ultimate impact on the child's developmental trajectory throughout their lifetime.
Q2 Discuss how poverty may lead to health inequalities
Health disparities are a result of poverty and are a problem that is seen both nationally and locally (Ndugga and Artiga, 2023). The ideas of equity, inequality, and equality in health are the root cause of this discrepancy. People who live in poverty frequently have restricted access to high-quality healthcare, which is made worse by their limited resources, inadequate health insurance, and inadequate healthcare infrastructure. The health gap between the rich and the poor is wider as a result of this restricted access which causes unmet health needs, delayed healthcare, and worse health outcomes (Wu et al., 2023). Broader socioeconomic factors associated with poverty, such as poor nutrition, poor living circumstances, and elevated stress levels, also have an impact on health inequality. These factors compound to raise the prevalence of chronic diseases and mental health problems.
In order to address these health disparities, it is imperative to distinguish between equality and equity. Equity ensures adjusting resources to match each person's requirements, whereas equality suggests giving everyone the same amount of resources (twinkl.co.uk, 2021). To attain comparable health results, high-poverty areas can need more significant health resources than wealthy areas. Furthermore, underprivileged areas frequently struggle with a shortage of medical experts and infrastructure which leads to lower-quality care. Significant discrepancies in health outcomes across distinct socioeconomic groups throughout different regions are caused by these local disparities that add up to a national level.
Enacting comprehensive policies that go beyond healthcare is necessary to address the health inequities induced by poverty (Kruk et al., 2019). These policies ought to prioritise enhancing access to work, housing, and education while also making direct investments in healthcare services in marginalised communities. In order to attain health equity in policy-making, addressing social determinants of health is crucial. In the end, solutions that work should put equity first, acknowledging the diverse needs of various groups and giving more substantial help to those who are disproportionately impacted by poverty. This strategy seeks to close the health disparity and guarantee similar health results for people from different socioeconomic backgrounds.
Q3 Outline one current Scottish public health priority and relate this to the case study
Daniel's case study is extremely relevant to the current Scottish public health focus of improving mental health, particularly for children and young people. Daniel is a 15-month-old boy. This focus highlights the significance of early intervention in mental health, acknowledging that early life events have a substantial impact on mental health later in life. Daniel's family dynamics his aunt taking care of him while his mother works and the episode involving the inexplicable bruises could affect his emotional and psychological growth. If these early life stressors are not sufficiently addressed, they may be a contributing factor to long-term mental health issues.
Scottish public health policy places a strong emphasis on mental health in an effort to provide Daniel and other kids with supportive surroundings. This entails making certain that families have access to support networks and services for mental health allowing for the early detection and treatment of mental health issues (Colizzi, Lasalvia and Ruggeri, 2020). Daniel may need to do this by giving his family direction and support in order to create a stable and caring atmosphere, which is essential for his mental health. This public health goal also emphasises the importance of trust and good communication within families, as seen by the silence between Daniel's mother and aunt. Taking care of these problems is essential to establishing a safe and encouraging home environment.
This public health problem has important ramifications on a larger scale, both locally and nationally (World Health Organization, 2021). At the local level, it encourages the creation of community-based programmes and services that help parents and other carers comprehend and support the mental health of their kids. It is in line with national policies and initiatives that support mental health and early childhood development, both of which help build stronger, healthier communities. Scotland's public health approach prioritises mental health from an early age in order to reduce the long-term social and economic effects of mental health problems, which will ultimately result in a population that is healthier throughout its lifespan. When used in situations such as Daniel's, this method can have a big impact on a child's growth trajectory and general quality of life.
Q4 Discuss the possible impact of a childhood experience aged 0 to 16 on a member of the family in the case study
In Daniel's case study, an early event especially one that involves possible abuse or neglect can have a significant and enduring effect on him as well as other family members. The finding of Daniel's unexplained bruises and Amanda's choice to disclose them to social services may have a substantial emotional and psychological impact on Amanda, Daniel's aunt and carer. Given that she is Daniel's primary carer and that she has developed a link with him, Amanda may feel guilty, anxious, or distressed about the prospect that Daniel will suffer while in her care. This experience might make her question her capacity to provide care and raise concerns about Daniel's long-term well-being (Wainberg et al., 2018).
This incident may also cause tension in Amanda's connection with Daniel's mother, Jessica, and her sister. The fact that she did not discuss her worries with anybody before calling social services could damage trust and cause friction and strife in the family. Daniel's growth may be impacted by this, given the importance of the emotional environment and familial interactions in Daniel's life.
On the other hand, this incident might also change Amanda's viewpoint on kid protection and family roles perhaps increasing her alertness and caution when providing care. The experience serves as a reminder of the difficult tasks and obligations associated with raising a child as well as the fragile nature of family relationships and communication. All things considered, a childhood event such as the one described in the case study can have profound effects on family members affecting their relationships, emotional health, and viewpoints on caring and family dynamics. This could be a pivotal moment in Amanda's life, influencing how she interacts with her family going forward and how she provides care.
Q5 Describe two techniques that a nurse could use to support health literacy for the family in the case study
A nurse can apply two crucial strategies in the case study of Daniel and his family to improve the family's health literacy and make sure they have the knowledge and abilities needed to properly manage Daniel's health. The first strategy combines the teach-back method with plain language (Yen and Leasure, 2019). Using ordinary language rather than technical medical terms, the nurse explains health information to the patient. For example, the nurse would utilise realistic examples and common language while addressing Daniel's developmental milestones or possible health risks. The teach-back technique is then used, asking the family to repeat the knowledge in their own words. This method makes sure that the family has a complete knowledge of the health information given by both confirming their understanding and enabling prompt explanation of any misunderstandings (Balogh, Miller and Ball, 2019).
The second method is creating and utilising instructional materials that are both written and visual. The family will have a useful resource that they can refer to whenever it is convenient for them if written materials like as brochures or guides are provided. These materials should be written in plain English and may even be translated into their native tongue. A variety of subjects pertinent to Daniel's care may be included in these publications, including as safety measures, recommended diets, and symptoms of common paediatric ailments. Furthermore, for more difficult health concepts in particular, visual aids like charts, infographics, or instructional videos can be extremely useful in improving comprehension. For instance, a visual chart showing the stages of child development can assist the family in tracking Daniel's development, and movies on first aid or childproofing the house can offer helpful, simple-to-follow advice.
References
- Balogh, E.P., Miller, B.T. and Ball, J.R. (2019). The diagnostic process. [online] Nih.gov. Available at: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK338593/.
- Better Health Channel (2020). Wellbeing. [online] Vic.gov.au. Available at: https://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/health/healthyliving/wellbeing [Accessed 19 Nov. 2023].
- Colizzi, M., Lasalvia, A. and Ruggeri, M. (2020). Prevention and early intervention in youth mental health: Is it time for a multidisciplinary and trans-diagnostic model for care? International Journal of Mental Health Systems, [online] 14(1), pp.1–14. doi:https://doi.org/10.1186/s13033-020-00356-9.
- Haldane, V., Chuah, F.L.H., Srivastava, A., Singh, S.R., Koh, G.C.H., Seng, C.K. and Legido-Quigley, H. (2019). Community participation in health services development, implementation, and evaluation: A systematic review of empowerment, health, community, and process outcomes. PLOS ONE, 14(5). doi:https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0216112.
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- Ndugga, N. and Artiga, S. (2023). Disparities in health and health care: 5 key questions and answers. [online] Kaiser Family Foundation. Available at: https://www.kff.org/racial-equity-and-health-policy/issue-brief/disparities-in-health-and-health-care-5-key-question-and-answers/.
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- Sanvictores, T. and Mendez, M.D. (2022). Types of Parenting Styles and Effects On Children. [online] PubMed. Available at: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK568743/.
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