Walden University Social Workers in Healthcare and Social Factors Discussion
Be sure to support your postings and responses with specific references to the resources and the current literature using appropriate APA format and style. By Day 5 Respond to at least two different colleagues’ postings in one or more of the following ways: Provide a constructive critique of your colleague’s post. Offer different perspectives on the social factors your colleague selected. Analyze your colleague’s post and expand on the interventions with additional insight. Share an insight gained from having read your colleague’s posting. DB1 Maranda— Social workers in healthcare address many challenges based on a holistic approach to an individual’s needs, strengths, and systems. Two social factors that influence health outcomes include socioeconomic status and race and ethnicity. While there are many reasons that these social determinants impact health, many stem from either lack of resources, education, and a variety of other social issues that social workers often attempt to address. In regards to socioeconomic status, limited access to resources that promote health is the notable barrier to achieving health for individuals with lower socioeconomic status (Moreno-Maldonado, et al., 2019). Whereas many have access to healthcare, healthy foods, exercise options, etc., others are limited to what they may be able to afford, therefore leading to inequality in health. Additionally, psychological and social strain can cause increased stress surrounding the struggle of limited resources, therefore also leading to greater health issues (Moreno-Maldonado, et al., 2019). While socioeconomic status impacts health, there are many factors involved. In regards to race and ethnicity, many factors can relate to the limitations of healthcare including immigration status, socioeconomic status, language barriers, and a variety of other challenges that limit the access to healthcare and education on healthy living (Dulin, et al., 2012). Additionally, access to primary care and regular medicine has been a barrier to preventative healthcare (Dulin, et al., 2012). While race and ethnicity may impact the health of individuals, the cultural and social implications surrounding it are quite widely seen. A medical social worker may intervene by addressing the cause of the outcome including cultural beliefs, educational opportunities, or other areas that are impacted by an individual’s social needs. While financial opportunities may vary, addressing the health needs is an important step to managing the gap in inequality among individuals. Developing educational opportunities that are all inclusive could promote overall health and well-being regardless of socioeconomic status with the goal to address the unhealthy habits and promote health could benefit both groups (Moreno-Maldonado, et al., 2019). Additionally, regular healthcare visits help to identify issues and promote healthier behavior, therefore making access to care even more of a consideration in promoting overall physical health (Edwards & Loprunzi, 2017). Because culture and values still play a role in the healthcare that is delivered, providers should be encouraged to identify the holistic needs of an individual to improve overall quality of life and wellness (Edwards & Loprunzi, 2017). As social workers, education and regular healthcare could significantly improve the health of individuals with lower socioeconomic status or minorities. Overall, addressing the challenges of health due to social issues is quite important for social workers in healthcare to address the greater needs of individuals. While socioeconomic status and race and ethnicity impact an individual’s health, it’s important to assess holistically and understand the reasoning. For instance, when someone is ‘non-compliant’, it is important to recognize whether it is a personal choice or if they have limited access, etc. rather than assuming they are choosing to not follow a provider’s orders. Another example comes from my own experience in seeing a patient that was missing multiple appointments because the calls were in English and he only spoke Spanish, therefore limiting his ability to stay on track with appointments and follow through. This can be seen and challenged with further support programs to educate individuals and communities and also offer preventative medicine. Without accessible healthcare, individuals are at a disadvantage to improve their health, therefore causing even greater concern for their well-being and overall quality of life. As social workers, it is a responsibility to promote the well-being of others and improve quality of life, especially considering those that are vulnerable and oppressed. References Dulin, M. F., Tapp, H., Smith, H. A., Urquieta de Hernandez, B., Coffman, M. J., Ludden, T., Sorensen, J., & Furuseth, O. J. (2012). A trans-disciplinary approach to the evaluation of social determinants of health in a hispanic population. BMC Public Health, 12(1), 769–778. https://doi-org.ezp.waldenulibrary.org/10.1186/147... Edwards, M.K. & Loprinzi, P.D.. (2017). Psycho-Socioeconomic bio-behavioral influences on health-related quality of life. Health Promotion Perspectives, 7(3), 124–127. https://doi-org.ezp.waldenulibrary.org/10.15171/hp... Moreno-Maldonado, C., Ramos, P., Moreno, C., & Rivera, F. (2019). Direct and Indirect Influences of Objective Socioeconomic Position on Adolescent Health: The Mediating Roles of Subjective Socioeconomic Status and Lifestyles. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 16(9). https://doi-org.ezp.waldenulibrary.org/10.3390/ije... DB 2 Kynshasha— Social factors and health outcomes For this initial discussion posting, I selected socioeconomic status and educational attainment as two social factors of interest to me that influences health outcomes. According to Arpey, et al. (2017) people of lower socioeconomic status (SES) are more likely to have worse self-reported health, lower life expectancy, and suffer from more chronic conditions compared to those of higher SES. People of lower SES receive fewer diagnostic tests and medications for many chronic diseases and have limited access to healthcare because of cost and/or coverage (Arpey, et al., 2017). Physicians does not think people with lower SES will comply with medical recommendations and/or return for follow-up visits, which is why people with lower SES are less likely to receive diagnostic tests, less likely prescribed mediation(s), and less likely to be referred to a specialist if and/or when needed (Arpey, et al., 2017). According to Alkerwi, et al. (2015) people with higher SES are more likely to have healthier food habits, whereas people with lower SES are less consistent with nutritional recommendations and/or dietary guidelines, which significantly contributes to poorer health outcomes such as, heart disease and/or diabetes. According to Lee (2015) higher educational levels commonly results in better jobs, more finances, and better health insurance which leads to improved and/or quality health outcomes. Higher educational levels are also connected to healthier diets, which improves a person’s health. People with lower educational levels often live in areas and/or neighborhoods where there is a lack of access to supermarkets and/or healthy food choices, lack of access to physicians and/or lack of access to reactional facilities, which all affects a person’s health and/or health outcomes (Lee, 2015). I think that it is significantly bias for a McDonald’s burger to cost $1.00 and a salad to cost $8.00. If my highest level of education is 9th grade, then I am commonly unemployed or working at a fast food restaurant making minimum wage. Of course, I am going to choose the $1.00 burger from McDonalds that might cause me a heart attack compared to the $8.00 salad. Social work interventions According to Mitchell (2012) social workers can provide psychosocial counseling. I think that psychosocial counseling will be a targeted social work intervention that could be used to improve health outcomes. According to the National Alliance of Mental Illness (2015) psychosocial includes psychotherapy and social and vocational training that aim to provide support, education, and guidance to patients and their families. Individuals can receive employment training and health insurance coverage training, such as Medicaid and Medicare during psychosocial therapy. Social work task The social worker may need to advocate for individuals and their families to reach the desired health outcome(s). Medicaid and/or Medicare recipients are having a hard time identifying a provider that accepts their insurance coverage and/or that is accepting new patients. Therefore, the social worker might advocate for additional resources in terms of providers. The social worker may have to help people successfully complete an application for Medicaid and/or Medicare to ensure people have equal access to health insurance. References Alkerwi, A., Vernier, C., Sauvageot, N., Crichton, G. E., & Elias, M. F. (2015). Demographic and socioeconomic disparity in nutrition: application of a novel Correlated Component Regression approach. BMJ Open, 5(5). doi: 10.1136/bmjopen-2014-006814 Arpey, N. C., Gaglioti, A. H., & Rosenbaum, M. E. (2017). How socioeconomic status affects patient perceptions of health care: A qualitative study. Journal of Primary Care & Community Health, 8(3), 169-175. doi: 10.1177/2150131917697439 Lee, R. (2015). Learning matters: How education affects health. https://www.aafp.org/news/blogs/leadervoices/entry/learning_matters_how_education_affects.html Mitchell, J. A. (2012). Integrating education on addressing health disparities into the graduate social work curriculum. HHS Public Access, 32(5), 471-486. doi: 10.1080/08841233.2012.725458