All About Personal and Professional Health Care Essay Example for Free

All About Personal and Professional Health Care Essay Health care communication is an important practice in the treatment of a patient. Ensuring effective communication can help the patient understand their state of health. The Meaning and Nature of Healthcare Communication Healthcare communication involves an efficient line of communication between medical professionals, clients, and patient. A vital component of healthcare communication is the ability to share information that can enhance a patient’s knowledge. This is important in assuring quality healthcare (Williams, 2007). Personal healthcare communication is vital in promoting a physician’s understanding through discussion and support groups. Healthcare communication considers factors such as the attitude of the patient, their behavior and belief which could have an impact on how the physician can improve the quality of health care (Williams, 2007). In addition, it requires empathy and understanding from the physician when communicating with their patients. An effective way of achieving effective communication is to get feedbacks from the person getting the information. The healthcare practitioner should carefully evaluate if the client can understand the message being relayed (Williams, 2007). One of the most effective ways of achieving an effective healthcare communication is by conducting a personal interview. This method will help determining the accuracy of information regarding their condition. The psychosocial aspects of the patient’s conditions can be considered when conducting the interview (Williams, 2007). The Relevance of Healthcare Communication An effective professional health care communication can improve the health outcome of a patient. The health care professional can utilize various guidelines to achieve effective healthcare communication. It can help the healthcare practitioner to establish a better understanding of the condition and history of their patients (Williams, 2007). In addition, effective healthcare communication can increase the patient’s satisfaction and knowledge of treatment and its possible outcomes. Without effective healthcare communication, the patient will not have a clear understanding of the state of their health. As a result, they are more likely to spend more on healthcare, take the wrong medication, and become depressed (Williams, 2007). The Principles of Therapeutic Communication The Talking Cure In the early history of health care, therapists or in this case health care professionals rarely say a word. Usually, the best way they understand the condition of their patient is through listening but they never communicate. However, it is likely to practice a non-threatening way of communicating with patients and will not hurt their self-esteem (Wachtel, 2008). In this process, the healthcare professional conceals their real message in a meta-message, which can both be demonstrated in a manner that would make it likely to address the conflicting issue which the patient has avoided (Wachtel, 2008). The manner of delivery by the therapist can have a huge effect on the patient compared to the real message. Most of the time, what the therapist says lowers the self-esteem or confidence of the patient (Wachtel, 2008). In this practice, the therapist must be consistent in monitoring their part in the therapeutic session (Wachtel, 2008). Cyclical Psychodynamics The theory of cyclical psychodynamics utilizes a series of repetitive cycles of communication between people. It combines views from interpersonal dynamics and behavioral and family systems (Wachtel, 2008). The cyclical psychodynamics theory states that people live in a contextual life and their behavior is always related to an individual or object. In therapeutic communication, it is important for the health care professional to understand the roots of the patient’s difficulties (Wachtel, 2008). Cyclical psychodynamics focuses on understanding the cause of the patient’s anxiety. The difficulty of a patient can be rooted from their early knowledge of being afraid of their feelings, thoughts, and inclinations. The aim of therapy in this sense is to help the patient refocus these feelings and integrate them into a complete life (Wachtel, 2008). One aim of therapeutic communication is to direct the patient to a variation of the truth that would help them see new possibilities in their life and to modify life patterns that have been responsible for their difficulties. By using meta-messages, the therapist will help the patient affirm, acknowledge, and understand their feelings (Wachtel, 2008). Other therapeutic techniques provide a different climate, focusing on inhibition, silence and non-engagement from the therapist. With cyclical psychodynamics, however, the health care professional is more involved in the therapeutic process (Wachtel, 2008). Conclusion Healthcare communication involves an efficient line of communication between medical professionals, clients, and patient. A vital component of healthcare communication is the ability to share information that can enhance a patient’s knowledge. This is important in assuring quality healthcare. An effective professional health care communication can improve the health outcome of a patient. The health care professional can utilize various guidelines to achieve effective healthcare communication. It can help the healthcare practitioner to establish a better understanding of the condition and history of their patients. Effective healthcare communication can increase the patient’s satisfaction and knowledge of treatment and its possible outcomes. Without effective healthcare communication, the patient will not have a clear understanding of the state of their health. As a result, they are more likely to spend more on healthcare, take the wrong medication, and become depressed. In the early history of health care, therapists or in this case health care professionals rarely say a word. Usually, the best way they understand the condition of their patient is through listening but they never communicate. However, it is likely to practice a non-threatening way of communicating with patients and will not hurt their self-esteem. In this process, the healthcare professional conceals their real message in a meta-message, which can both be demonstrated in a manner that would make it likely to address the conflicting issue which the patient has avoided Cyclical psychodynamics focuses on understanding the cause of the patient’s anxiety. The difficulty of a patient can be rooted from their early knowledge of being afraid of their feelings, thoughts, and inclinations. The aim of therapy in this sense is to help the patient refocus these feelings and integrate them into a complete life. With cyclical psychodynamics, the patient is directed to a variation of the truth that would help them see new possibilities in their life and to modify life patterns that have been responsible for their difficulties. By using meta-messages, the therapist will help the patient affirm, acknowledge, and understand their feelings. Compared with other therapeutic techniques, which focuses on inhibition, silence and non-engagement from the therapist, cyclical psychodynamics involves more involvement and participation by the health care professional in the therapeutic process All About Personal and Professional Health Care. (2016, Dec 04).

Pathophysiology of Late Onset Alzheimer's Disease Research Paper

Pathophysiology of Late Onset Alzheimer's Disease - Research Paper Example Alzheimer’s is normally classified into three different groups; Early onset, Late onset and familial. This paper analyses the dimensions of late onset Alzheimer’s. Pathophysiology of "Late Onset" Alzheimer's Disease It is estimated that more than 4.5 million people in America alone experiencing Alzheimer’s currently. Doraiswamy et al, (2009) have mentioned that Alzheimer’s can occur even at the age of forties or fifties (Doraiswamy et al, 2009, xvii). However, about 90% of the Alzheimer’s disease patients are victims of "Late Onset" Alzheimer's. Alzheimer's victims of more than 65 years of age are normally included in the category of Late Onset" Alzheimer's. Only 10% of Alzheimer's victims are below the age of 65. Normally people below the age of 65 suffers Alzheimer’s because of Down syndrome. This type of Alzheimer’s is known as Early onset Alzheimer’s. On the other hand, "Late Onset" Alzheimer's disease is caused by hereditar y and environmental factors. A third type of Alzheimer’s is known as Familial Alzheimer's disease (FAD). In the case of FAD patients, the disease is caused by family history or hereditary. ... It has the ability to recollect everything in the distant memory while facing problems in recollecting information stored in the recent memory. Bonda et al. (2010) pointed out the imbalances between mitochondrial fission and fusion of cell proliferation as the reason for Alzheimer’s. â€Å"Specifically, the dynamic balance of fission and fusion in AD is greatly shifted toward fission, and, as a result, affected neurons contain abnormal mitochondria that are unable to meet the metabolic demands of the cell†(p.181). It should be noted that fission is the process of breaking of cells whereas fusion is the process of combining cells. Both fission and fusion are necessary body mechanisms to maintain good memory. However, in the case of patients with Alzheimer’s fission mechanism occurs more while fusion mechanism occurs less. As a result of that cell proliferation procedures will be troubled and the communication though neurons become defective. It should be noted tha t neurons are responsible for sending instructions from the brain to different parts of body. This communication process may become defective because of the imbalances in fusion and fission. Risk Factors Advanced age is the primary risk factor for AD; risk doubles every 5 years after the age of 65. Additional risk factors include having a first-degree relative with AD; Down syndrome; head trauma; certain environmental exposures, including metals, infection, and toxins; decreased estrogen levels; and mutations in the APP, PSEN1, PSEN2, or APOE genes. Cardiovascular disease, cardiovascular risk factors (e.g., hypertension, obesity, dyslipidemia, insulin resistance), depression, and certain lifestyle choices (e.g.,

Evidence-based practice in nursing Research Paper

Evidence-based practice in nursing - Research Paper Example The motivators for evidence-based practice in nursing, also called evidence-based nursing (EBN), come from political, professional and societal factors (McSherry et al., 2006 cited in Scott & McSherry, 2009, p.1085). This paper explores the pros and cons of evidence-based practice in nursing. It analyzes the concepts of clinical expertise, patient preferences, and caring in the context of evidence-based nursing. It also examines the impact of these practices on the art of nursing as a practice. Pros and Cons of Evidence-Based Practice in Nursing Evidence-based practices, when applied to nursing, can enhance patient outcomes by improving clinical decisions (Scott & McSherry, 2009, p.1087). Evidence-based practice is a combination of patient values and clinical conditions with the best research evidence in clinical decision making (Brown et al., 2010, p.1945). Patient preferences are also used in making decisions. The processes of evidence-based practices concern practical steps that m aximize the best evidence. Evidence-based practice starts with asking an answerable question in a specific clinical situation, collecting the best relevant evidence, critically evaluating the evidence, and using the evidence in consideration of patient preferences in clinical decision-making (Brown et al., 2010, p.1945). The systematic approach in finding and evaluating the best evidence is critical to producing quality patient results (Scott & McSherry, 2009, p.1087)... its framework (when and if it is defined and mandated by organizations) and actual implementation (Rolfe, Segrott, & Jordan, 2008; Scott & McSherry, 2009). McKenna (2010) argued that evidence-based practices create confusion, because of the delimiting definition of evidence. Rolfe, Segrott, and Jordan (2008) studied nurses’ understanding and interpretation of evidence-based practice (EBP). Findings showed that tensions and contradictions in nurses’ understanding of evidence-based practice were prevalent. National and local guidelines, nurses’ own experiences and patients’ preferences continue to dominate the practice of nursing for their sampling. Brown et al. (2010) noted from their studies that personal and management barriers hinder the implementation of evidence-based practices. Evidence-based practice in nursing reduces the importance of soft approaches to nursing practice (McKenna, 2010). Paley (2006) examined the well-known concepts of expertise and clinical judgment, which evidence-based practice tend to undermine. For him, evidence-based practice should not overlook the value and role of clinical judgment in making quality patient decisions. He stressed: â€Å"†¦clinical expertise is interpreted as that which is required in order to integrate the research evidence with professional experience, context, circumstances, patient preferences, various holistic considerations, and so on†¦Ã¢â‚¬  (p.87). Kitson (1997) suggested that evidence-based practices cannot be simply transferred directly to individual components of health care (i.e. nursing and midwifery) and merely translating evidence-based management as evidence-based practices in nursing may be inaccurate without changing some elements that underlie the conceptual framework of evidence-based practices