Running head: COMPREHENSIVE HEALTH ASSESSMENT
COMPREHENSIVE HEALTH ASSESSMENT FOR PATIENTS & POPULATIONS
Anitha Madhu
Western Governors University
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COMPREHENSIVE HEALTH ASSESSMENT
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COMPREHENSIVE HEALTH ASSESSMENT FOR PATIENTS & POPULATIONS
The social determinants of health are the conditions in which people are born, grow, live,
work and age. These factors are mostly responsible for health inequities, which are the unfair and
avoidable differences in health status (World Health Organization [WHO], n.d). Specific
resources can boost the quality of life and can have a substantial impact on population health
outcomes. Resources include access to health services, safe and affordable housing, access to
education, public safety, availability of healthy foods, and without a life-threatening toxin
exposure in the environment (Office of Disease Prevention and Health Promotion [ODPHP],
2014). According to ODPHP, the five key elements in social determinants are economic stability,
access to health care, education, community and social context, and the neighborhood and built
environment.
Strategy
Interviewing is both a skill and an art. The approach I used to assess my patient's social
determinants was face-to-face. Patient-centered interviewing emphasizes the personal and
emotional context and encourages the patient to describe his or her symptoms spontaneously.
The patient-centered interviewing allows the patient to lead to understanding their thoughts,
ideas, concerns, without adding additional information from the clinician’s perspective (Bickley,
2016). The interview was conducted in a quiet place with privacy and confidentiality maintained.
The interview skills I used with the patient were active listening with empathy and the openended questions. Active listening with empathy is essential in effective interaction, and openended questions allowed for detailed answers from the patient. During the interview with the
patient, I observed the verbal and non-verbal communication as well. With these above
techniques, I was able to collect a reasonable analysis of my patient’s social determinants.
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Key Question
According to Healthy people 2020, health determined by access to social and economic
opportunities, quality of schooling, safety in the workplace, and the resources and supports
available in our homes, neighborhoods, and communities (ODPHP, 2014).
Following are the five questions I used to assess my patient’s social determinants.
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What are your age, occupation and economic stability?
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Do you have health insurance and access to health care?
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Do you feel safe in your home and neighborhood?
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What is your highest level of education?
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Do you participate in community church or any other organizations?
Patient’s responses to key questions
Mr. M is a 58-year-old naturalized citizen of the U.S. He has resided in the U.S. for the
last 12 years, although he was born and raised in India. He possesses an Associate Degree and a
professional certification in Air Condition and Heating System repair and is currently working as
a technician. Mr. M stated that he is financially stable with the income from his job as a
technician. He mentioned that he is able to maintain full coverage with his insurance with this
income. His financial stability and full-time job allow him to afford an upper-middle-class house,
moreover contributing to his overall well-being and his ability to remain healthy. However, he
mentioned that he often works in extreme weather conditions and occasionally gets illnesses
related to this exposure. I will consider adding an assessment and possible intervention to the
plan of care regarding the risk of exposure to extreme heat and cold weather.
COMPREHENSIVE HEALTH ASSESSMENT
Mr. M is an Air Condition technician, and he has reasonable health insurance which
covers the majority of his health care expenses. His health care plan includes both dental and
vision plans, which covers his annual dental and vision check-ups. With his health insurance, he
can get the yearly flu shot to prevent against the many strains of flu. Mr. M mentioned that
occasionally he would miss medical appointments due to a lack of free time in his work
schedule. Plan of care will include education about the importance of regular medical checkup
with a primary physician. With Mr. M’s history of high cholesterol and obesity, I have asked
about his exercise habits and hobbies. Mr. M stated that he likes to listen to music and watch
television programs. The care plan will include the importance of an exercise program in
controlling high cholesterol, preventing the risk of high blood pressure, and risk for diabetes, as
well as to reduce his weight.
Mr. M states that he feels very safe in his home and neighborhood. He lives in a twostory, well-maintained house in an area and community with a low crime rate. Mr. M stated that
he is not actively engaged in any exercise or walking program, even though his community has
resources such as a gym and walking area for daily walking. I would consider adding education
and interventions in the plan of care about the dedicated time for relaxation to reduce the stress
of work.
Mr. M has an Associate Degree with a professional diploma from the technical institute
of Air Conditioning and Heating System. Since Mr. M is not educated in health science, his
health literacy is low, but he was still able to explain the medications, dosage, and routes of his
current medications. The plan of care will include education regarding health science and
interventions to improve health literacy.
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Mr. M stated that he participates in community activities such as the local food drive,
blood drive, fundraising events, and garage sale. Participation in the community is sporadic due
to a lack of free time. I will educate him about the importance of social relations in maintaining a
healthy and happy life.
Economic stability and access to health care
Mr. M is financially stable with his technical work and income, and he owns a company
with few employees. Mr. M has an excellent socio-economic status with added benefits from his
professional company. He has health insurance which covers his medical expenses, including
prescription medications and therefore, easy access to healthcare. Mr. M has a two-story house,
and he lives in that house with his wife and two kids. He also mentioned there are three hospitals
and one emergency center near to his home.
Educational status
Education contributes to human capital by developing a range of skills and traits, such as
cognitive skills, problem-solving ability, learned effectiveness, and personal control. These
various forms of human capital may all mediate the relationship between education and health
(Agency for Health Care Research and Quality [AHRQ], 2015). The ability to understand health
needs, advocate for themselves and their families, follow or read instructions, and communicate
effectively with health providers are imperative in keeping a healthy status for every patient. Mr.
M has an Associate Degree and certification in his profession, and this, in turn, helped him to
attain health insurance which covers his medical expenses, including his prescriptions. Mr. M
has a stable economic status with his education and therefore, easy access to health care. Even
though Mr. M has some primary science education, he is not fully literate with health science,
which leads to a barrier to follow or to read instructions and to communicate effectively with
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healthcare providers. Mr. M is computer literate, and he stated that he uses his laptop and phone
to search for the latest developments in healthcare and to access his health records from his
primary care physician. During the health education session, Mr. M engaged in active listening
and asked questions regarding the importance of exercise and a healthy diet program. However,
Mr. M has hyperlipidemia and obesity, so he may need more education regarding weight control
by proper intake of a healthy diet and regular exercise in order to prevent chronic diseases such
as diabetes and hypertension. According to Zimmerman, Woolf, and Haley, the health benefits of
education accrue at the individual level, the community level, and the broader social/cultural
context (Zimmerman, Woolf, & Haley, 2014).
Health Literacy
According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention [CDC], 2016, health literacy
is the degree to which an individual has the capacity to obtain, process, and understand necessary
health information and services needed to make appropriate health decisions. Health literacy of
the patient and clear communication between health professionals and patients are vital in
improving health and the quality of health care. My patient has adequate knowledge about his
health, and he was able to tell the medical history, family history, and medications which he
takes. Seldom does he have difficulty in comprehending the health information, and he makes
sure that he clarifies the doubts with his physician by asking more questions. Mr. M showed
interest in getting more health information during the education session. He stated that he uses
the internet to learn more about health issues and seek medical information and attention if he
has any other health issues throughout the year.
Educational Opportunities and Barriers
Opportunities
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Education is vital in social and economic development and has a profound impact on
population health. The association between education and health is that knowledge itself
produces benefits that later prompt the recipient to attain better health outcomes (AHRQ, 2015).
Because of Mr. M’s education, he was able to obtain a good job and economic stability through
that job. Education helped Mr. M to be in his current career with a high income, and the
economic stability allows him to have good insurance which covers his medical expenses
including prescription medications. His education helped him to purchase medication which is
not covered by his insurance with his economic stability. Therefore, for Mr. M, his education and
his job helped him to have access to health care. His knowledge of information and technology
helps him in contacting his primary care doctor via email, and also allows him to access his
records and blood results from his home computer. Mr. M’s educational level improves his
ability to communicate effectively with his primary care physician, and he asks appropriate
questions to improve his understanding. He undergoes regular annual dental and vision checkup
and receives the flu vaccine every season. Mr. M is eager to keep up with his health and partake
in routine well-being care. My patient’s education leads to a better job and income, which allows
him to buy good insurance, easily purchase healthy foods, buy exercise equipment and machines,
pay for health services, and have access to transportation services.
Barriers
According to Healthy People 2020, being a college graduate has a positive impact in
employment options in order to secure better-paying jobs. High income from the job leads to
better opportunities to improve health by increasing the ability of people to achieve material
resources such as higher-quality housing, as well as psychosocial resources and higher social
status (ODPHP, 2018). Mr. M has a barrier of language in English; even though he speaks
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English with moderate efficiency, it is not his primary language. Additionally, he gained his
associate degree from India, so he is not able to understand the vocabularies and medical terms
which is common in the US. Furthermore, Mr. M did not have his associate degree in health
science, which restricts his ability to comprehend the medical terms while communicating with
healthcare workers Educated patients may be more able to understand their health needs,
communicate effectively with health providers, follow instructions, and advocate for themselves
and their families (Virginia Commonwealth University [VCU], 2013).
Another barrier I observed in Mr. M is that in the summertime, he is very busy with
work, and he is unable to do regular walking or exercise which is affecting his health negatively
and this also related to the low educational level and carrier choice. He reported that at times he
postponed his medical appointments with his primary care physician due to his workload in the
summer. Mr. M’s inability to keep up with all appointments due to time constraints and not
having enough free time have a close link with his career choice and his educational level. The
limitation of having an Associate Degree has caused a barrier to his overall quality of health
care.
Effect of Health on Quality of Life
Quality of life is essential to everyone. Health-related quality of life in an individual
includes physical and psychological health perceptions such as energy level, mood, and their
correlates—including health risks and conditions, functional status, social support, and
socioeconomic status (CDC, 2016). Chronic diseases can lead to disability and unemployment
and instability in socioeconomic status. Patients may develop anxiety and depression
concurrently.
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Mr. M has been on treatment for high cholesterol for five years, and his cholesterol level
is currently well-controlled. He has a family history of the peripheral vascular disease. Mr. M has
a positive outlook and attitude towards life, and he is generally pleasant and satisfied with his
life. Even though Mr. M is happy, he mentioned that he gets tired due to exposure to extreme
weather conditions at his job. Another concern is his obesity and high cholesterol level. Overall,
Mr. M’ s health status affects his quality of life with the fatigue due to heat exposure, lack of
exercise, and lack of healthy eating. Mr. M understands that his health and health care status is
affecting his quality of life and decided to lose weight and start eating a healthier diet. He has a
good relationship with his family members. He also indicated that he is very active in his
religious activities. He declined any distress, pain, and emotional distress in his life.
Neighborhood and Environmental Impacts
The neighborhoods shape people’s behaviors and influence their health. Social and
economic features of communities have a link with general health status, mortality, and chronic
conditions such as disability, birth outcomes, health behaviors, mental health, injuries, violence,
and other essential health indicators (Cubbin, Pedregon, Egerter, & Braveman, 2008).
Mr. M resides in a safe, upper-class neighborhood. In his housing area, he has excellent
health care services: three hospitals in walking distance, including an emergency center. He fills
his prescriptions at a nearby pharmacy which is within two miles from his house. His subdivision
has a park, walking area, swimming pool, fire station, gym, and public transportation. Mr. M’s
neighborhood and community have a low crime rate. The neighborhood is very friendly, and
they have a group connection to share the community news. Two nearby supermarkets, situated
within a two-mile radius, provide access to fresh vegetables, fruits, and other foods.
Comparison of health care in the low and high-income area
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There are numerous problems in our health care delivery system. Low-income patients
have to make hard choices between their health and the financial well-being of their family. Most
people who live in the low-income area are uninsured or underinsured. Underinsured people had
difficulty in paying a high amount of money from their pocket for a copay and prescription
medications. Patients living in low-income areas have limited access to health care for different
reasons. There is the central unavailability of good insurance which adequately covers medical
expenses due to low-income, which may, in turn, be due to a low level of education. Secondly,
there is a lack of hospitals and pharmacy availability in these neighborhoods. The low-income
areas provide a minimal amount of essential services which are covered by insurance. In lowincome areas, the primary care physician may be the only accessible physician. There may be a
minimal amount of specialty doctors available for referral purposes, and people may have to
travel a long distance to see a specialist, which limit the people’s access to comprehensive
healthcare. The government assisted clinics to have minimal staff due to an inability to pay
competitive salaries. Lack of political support also observed in low-income neighborhood areas.
Economic instability may allow the community to have a high crime and violation rate, which
can lead to anxiety and depression in the population. A shortage of public parks, gyms, pools,
and sidewalks will be a barrier for socialization and regular exercise, and this can lead to the
development of an unhealthy population. Low-income areas also tend to have fast food
restaurants, which promote poor diet habits. People who live in low-income areas may be subject
to increased rates of illnesses due to exposure to sickness, air pollution, water pollution, and
other environmental contaminants.
There are a higher number of highly educated people living in high-income areas, and
they have good insurance coverage for medical care and expenses. In high-income areas, due to
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the availability of hospitals, pharmacy, and transportation, people get better medical care and
improved outcomes and reduced number of unplanned admissions. Within high-income areas,
there are primary care physicians and specialty doctors available within short distances, which
leads the people living in these areas to have easy access to health care. In high-income areas,
there are health care providers who focus on elective treatments such as cosmetic surgery, laser
eye surgery, liposuction, orthodontia, and in vitro fertilization. Physician offices may provide
extra services, are well staffed, and are better maintained. Due to the resources around the highincome areas, costs also decreased. In these areas, people have more access to group
communication and to get more information while gathering in the park. The availability of
parks, gyms, sidewalks, and pools allows the population to lead a healthier lifestyle. In highincome areas, the economic stability will keep the crime rate low and allows for a stress-free
environment where people can be free from anxiety and worry.
Similarities in both the high-income area and low-income area are that all patients the
U.S. have the right to be treated the same way, and no patient is denied the right to treatment
because of inability to pay. Both the high-income area and low-income area has access to
emergency medical care and medications, to call a medical emergency vehicle, and to call police
officers. All emergency ambulances respond to calls regardless of the area or standard of living,
and all clinical guidelines are the same for all of the population. The Emergency Medical
Treatment & Labor Act (EMTALA) ensures public access to emergency services, regardless of
ability to pay (Center for Medicare &Medicaid Service [CMS], 2012). Another similarity is the
availability of primary care physician and primary care centers in high income and low-income
areas.
Rural Versus Urban Healthcare Access
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According to Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) studies, in the U.S., 15
% of American who live in rural areas are likely to die from heart disease, cancer, unintentional
injury, chronic lower respiratory disease, and stroke (CDC, 2017). Access to health care is
critical for a population's well-being and optimal health. The patient may experience difficulties
in accessing health care due to the unavailability of specialty doctors and emergency centers in
the rural area, with extended travel distances to specialty and emergency care. In urban areas,
access to health care is more comfortable with the ready availability of primary care physician,
specialty doctors, emergency centers and major hospitals. The inadequacy of healthcare
workforce affects access to care in rural communities. In a rural area, only one pharmacy may be
available, whereas an urban area has multiple pharmacies to access medications. People living in
rural areas have barriers to access healthcare, resulting in not meeting their health care needs for
screening services and immediate treatment of illnesses. In rural areas, most people are
uninsured or underinsured. Whereas in urban areas, people are mostly insured and have good
socioeconomic status to take care of their health. In an urban area, people have easy access to
hospitals, pharmacies in short distance and transportation is readily available.
How neighborhood affects access to healthy food options
Accessibility of healthy food in neighborhood community stores may be a significant
consideration in developing food environments that support the prevention of obesity and
cardiovascular disease. However, healthy foods, including fruits, vegetables, low-fat milk, and
high fiber bread tend to be less available in areas of lower income communities. The low-income
neighborhood may have access to small stores, and there will not be any availability of fresh
food or fruits, and people might depend on canned food to feed the family. The high-income
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neighborhood has access to big shopping centers with organic products, meats, fruits, and
vegetables. Mr. M lives in a high-income neighborhood and has access to healthy food.
Discussion of Social determinants
Health is a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being, and not merely the
absence of disease (WHO, n.d). Social determinants of health are conditions in the environments
in which people are born, live, learn, work, play, worship, and age that affect a wide range of
health, functioning, and quality-of-life outcomes and risks (ODPHP, 2018). According to
Healthy People 2020, social determinants are designed to identify ways to create social and
physical environments that promote good health for all (ODPHP, 2018). Healthy People 2020
recommends that all Americans deserve an equal chance to make the selections that lead to good
health. Addressing social determinants in a comprehensive assessment is essential due to the
impact of social determinants in health outcomes. Factors such as a patient's income, level of
education, and the environment must be considered when providing care to the patient, as these
factors have a direct effect on the patient’s health. With the assessment of social determinants,
the healthcare worker can identify the risks and prevent the problems early. According to
Healthypeople2020, the social determinants of health organized around five key domains:
Economic Stability, Education, Health and Health Care, Neighborhood and Built Environment,
and social and community context A collaborative team effort is required to address the unique
needs of the community (ODPHP.2018). By focusing on social determinants, we can improve
health and well-being for all ages and the society in which we live.
Identification of Social Determinants
Health and Healthcare
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Mr. M has health insurance which covers his medical expenses, including prescription
medication, and therefore he has easy access to health care. He maintains his health with regular
follow up and blood work through his primary physician. Mr. M mentioned during the interview
that he checks his blood pressure at home occasionally with his machine. He possesses the
knowledge about his hypercholesteremia, his medication, and its side effects. He is also aware of
when to take medication and what he should avoid with his medication.
Neighborhood and Built Environment
Mr. M lives an upper-class block with the availability of hospitals, pharmacy, an
emergency center, and a supermarket, which stocks fresh vegetables, poultry items, fruits, and
other food. His residential area has a low crime rate. Public transportation is also available in the
neighborhood. The neighborhood includes a park, gym, community pool, and a fire station
within a two-mile radius. Mr. M prefer to cook and eat at home than going to restaurants.
Social and Community Context
Mr. M is active in his religious activities. Mr. M is not very active in his neighborhood
activities. Mr. M helps the church maintenance crew as a technician as part of his charity work.
Mr. M has good family support from his wife and two children. In his free time, he likes to listen
to music and watch television inside his house. During the weekends, he likes to watch more
programs on video.
Plan of Care
Health and Health Care
Based on the assessment and diagnosis, I will set measurable and achievable short- and
long-range goals for this patient. Mr. M will continue to check his blood pressure and go for
regular follow-up and blood work with his primary physician. He will continue to follow a
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healthy diet and an annual flu shot. I will ask Mr. M to use a food diary to record his all meals
including snacks and drinks for a three week period. This diary will help him to review and see
where he can work around to control his calories (Williams, 2018). I will educate him about the
importance of active walking or regular exercise for a minimum of thirty minutes daily, or at
least four days a week, to reduce his weight. I will ask Mr. M to use an activity diary to record
his all activities for three weeks. Activity diary is one of the best things people can do to improve
their health. Active people typically live longer and are at less risk for serious health problems
like type 2 diabetes, heart disease, obesity, and some cancers (CDC, 2018). I will teach him
regarding the importance of follow up regularly, as Mr. M mentioned that he misses the
appointments in the summertime because of his busy work hours.
Neighborhood and built environment.
Mr. M has available resources for getting fresh food and fruits in his neighborhood. Still,
he is, obese, and his BSA was 27.6. Mr, M needs a plan for, a healthy diet regimen to control his
weight. I will educate Mr. M regarding the importance of making healthy food choices and
following a balanced diet to improve his health. According to the Dietary Guidelines for
Americans 2015-2020, a healthy diet plan highlights fruits, vegetables, whole grains, fat-free
milk products, and also lean meats, poultry, fish, beans, eggs, and nuts (CDC, 2016). I will
provide printed material of healthy food to Mr. M, and usage of a food diary will also help him
to keep his healthy eating habits.
Social and Community Context
Research shows that social support positively influences morbidity, mortality, and quality
of life in chronic disease populations. CDC research reflects the connection between the
characteristics of the contexts within which people live, learn, work, and play, and their health
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and well-being (CDC, 2017). I will educate my patient, Mr. M, regarding the importance of
social support from the neighbors and friends, and how he can be more supported and feel a
sense of belonging and security. I will emphasize getting more contact with his friends and
gathering them for a walk, and in that way, he will increase his physical activity to reduce his
weight and to improve his health.
Plan Implementation
Physical activity includes a set of behaviors that seem to play a unique role in health and
well-being because of its benefits. Physical activity is a strong protective factor from premature
mortality, risk factors for chronic diseases, depression, anxiety, Alzheimer's disease, and other
common mental health problems (Carlson, A. J., & Sallis, J. F,2015). I will discuss with Mr. M
the importance of keeping his weight within reasonable limits of his BSA as 26. Weight
reduction programs will be implemented with regular walking for a minimum of 30 minutes
daily, after his work. Since he has an exercise machine at home, he can use the device for
exercise daily, or whenever he is unable to go out for a walk outside. The second plan
implementation is to keep Mr. M on a healthy diet. I educated him on how obesity can lead to
chronic diseases such as diabetic and hypertension, and I reminded him that he has a family
history of cardiovascular diseases. I will give printed materials regarding diet and a food diary to
record his all meals, snacks, and drinks. Also provide him with an activity dairy which he can
record all his daily exercise or walking time that he can review at the end of the week and to
continue for three weeks. Since Mr. M has computer and internet access and he is literate with
the computer, I will give information on the website which discusses the benefits of a healthy
diet and the importance of walking and exercise. Mr. M will be educated to continue with
follow-up on his cholesterol problem every three months with his primary care physician, even
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during the summertime. I will discuss the importance of checking blood cholesterol and liver
function test every three-month period, to evaluate the serum cholesterol level, as well as to
monitor the liver function due to the possibility of his medication side effects. Social support is
essential to keep a person healthy and happy. Research shows that those deprived of social
support have a link to depression and loneliness has been shown to increase the risk of suicide,
alcohol use, depression, altered brain function, and cardiovascular diseases (Cherry, 2017). I will
educate Mr. M about the importance of having more social support, other than family support, to
make him stress-free and healthy. I will encourage him to involve his friends in family
celebrations to broaden his support system.
Implementation Barriers
Barriers in implementing the plan of care mainly are Mr. M ‘s work schedule; he
does not have regular work hours in his profession. He stated that he is getting calls for work at
any time during the day and the evening, and this may affect his exercise or walking schedule.
Another barrier he mentioned is that accessing healthy food from the store due to his busy
schedule hours, especially in the summertime. Occasionally, he works in places far from home
and may not have access to a good store in that neighborhood, leading to eating unhealthy food.
The barrier in social interaction is his family. He is not sure about the view of his wife and
children about the social support from his friends.
Individuals Involved in Interventions
Patient
Individuals are expected to decide whether and when to seek care, how to manage their
health, which plans and providers meet their needs, and how to cope with sometimes conflicting
advice from friends and family and providers (Clancy, 2011). Patient engagement in their health
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contributes to improved health outcomes and the knowledge in information technology can
support commitment. Mr. M is highly engaged in his health, and he has enough expertise in
information technology to, access the health information.
Family
The family is an integral part of patient care. Family significantly impacts health in both
positive and negative ways. The supportive family provides emotional support, economic wellbeing, and increases overall health. Family member support in delivering care is very crucial,
and they can support the patient and offer encouragement in areas such as nutrition, physical
exercise, social gathering, transportation, and to help in buying healthy food from the store. Mr.
M’s family can also encourage him to walk in the evening, remind him about his appointments,
and help him to buy healthy food choices from a store in the summer season.
Health Practitioner
Health professional play a central and critical role in improving access and quality health
care for the population (WHO, nd). A good doctor-patient relationship starts with the trust
between them. Once good faith is developed between the patient and the health practitioner, the
patient follows the directions accurately, and he will be able to lead a healthier life. The health
practitioner has a significant role in providing health education to the patient to improve the
patient’s health literacy. Mr. M has a good relationship with his primary care.
Plan Effectiveness
Evaluating the effectiveness of nursing care is necessary, and the evaluation plan should
be an integral part of patient care (AHRQ, 2016). I will make a follow-up appointment with Mr.
M within three weeks to evaluate the success of the plan of care, and during that visit, I will
check his cholesterol and liver function. People with elevated levels of cholesterol are at
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increased risk of having a heart attack or stroke (AHRQ, 2016). The short-term goal was weight
reduction of a minimum of three to five pounds in three weeks with the exercise or walking, and
the use of a healthy diet. To find the effectiveness of a healthy diet care plan, I will check his
food journal or a diary in which he recorded all his meals and snacks for a three week period.
Evidence supports that weight loss is double when people use the food diary. A food journal, or
food diary, allows people to look at the food intake over a period, and which allow the people to
identify areas that they can work on, which will benefit their health (Williams, 2018). I will also
check Mr.M’s activity diary for his daily activities, which includes his exercise and walking for
three week period. I will assess the effectiveness of community activities also through activity
diary by observing the walking pattern Mr. M did with his neighbors, exercise in the gym and
any special activities he involved in this three week.
Long- time goal for Mr.M is that he will not show any signs and symptoms of any other
chronic diseases such as diabetes, hypertension or any other cardiovascular diseases in the next
six months. I will educate him about the importance of continuing the activities in the
neighborhood, exercise, walking, and healthy eating. I will continue to reinforce his goals, to
keep the blood pressure checking occasionally, continue to take the yearly flu shot, yearly
screening, keep his body mass index in 26, and to keep the regular checkup with his primary
physician. The use of patient-reported measures of patient experience as part of the systematic
measurement and performance monitoring in healthcare backgrounds would improve the extent
of patient experience and would heighten our understanding of the patient experience, metrics,
measurement, evaluation, patient-reported outcomes(LaVela & Gallan, 2014).
Summation of the Impact of Social Determinants
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Social determinants have a high impact on the population’s health. Mr.M has very
positive feelings about his life and health. Mr. M’s social determinants are very convincing and
favorable for his condition. Mr.M has access to health care by having good insurance, which
covers his medical expenses. He is financially stable, well educated and has standard health
literacy. Mr. M lives in an area with all healthcare facilities, large shopping centers, pharmacy
and supermarket which provide fresh fruit, poultry, and vegetable. His neighborhood is safe and
free from environmental hazards and with the low crime rate. His block has a park, gym fire
station, community pool, and public transportation. However, Mr.M has to continue to see his
healthcare provider regularly, continue to eat healthy food, engage in exercise, and to be more
active in his community activities and neighborhood. Additionally, he should be using his social
resources such as a park, gym and side walkway for walking and at the same to interact more
with friends and family. In conclusion, Mr.M’s social determinants are favorable and have a
positive effect on his health and well being.
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References
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