Date: 30/04/2025

Time: 09:30am – 04:30pm

Title:  Social determinants of health, Epidemiology and Demographics/ Oxygen therapy

We looked at the social determinants of health which refer to social and economic factors influencing health, such as wealth, education, housing, ethnicity, social status. We also looked at epidemiology and demographics. Epidemiology is the study of the distribution and determinants of health-related events in populations while demographics involve statistical data on populations, including age, gender, ethnicity, and socioeconomic status, which help in understanding health trends.

This are all important in understanding health inequalities. With epidemiological data, patterns of disease, risk factors across different population groups can be identified, while demographic data helps pinpoint groups that are affected. Addressing health issues without considering the social determinants would be insufficient.

Moving forward, I will continue to advocate for a more holistic approach in my practice, one that does not just treat symptoms but seeks to understand the root causes of ill health. As I progress in my training, I will continue to evaluate how I can contribute to reducing health inequalities and promote equitable care across diverse populations.

We had a skill session on oxygen therapy during the later part of the day. During the session I was told that oxygen therapy can be administered through different delivery systems such as nasal cannula, Hudson mask, Venturi mask and non rebreathe mask depending on the patient’s condition and these different masks were shown to me. Physical positions while standing, sitting and lying that would improve oxygen levels was also demonstrated. The aim of oxygen therapy is to support patient’s oxygen saturation. I was shown a peak flow meter which is a device used to measure how quickly air can be blow out of the lungs.

This session was important because it enhanced my confidence and understanding the various oxygen delivery systems. I realised how critical it is to choose the right delivery device based on patient’s oxygen saturation levels, respiratory rate and underlying conditions. For example, giving high flow oxygen to a COPD patient without considering CO2 retention risks could be dangerous. Practicing peak flow measurements helped me appreciate how this simple test can provide quick insight into patient’s airway status.

Going forward, I will consolidate this learning by practicing more in clinical settings, most especially in real patient scenarios to reinforce my skills. I will review my place of work protocols on oxygen therapy and peak flow use. I will continually seek feedback from professionals when applying these skills in practice.

KSB addressed:

K10: Understand the principles of epidemiology, demography, genomics and how this may influence health and well-being outcomes

K11: Understand the factors that may lead to inequalities in health outcomes

K14: Understand the importance of health screening

K21: Understand co-morbidities and the demands of meeting people’s holistic needs when prioritising care

S15: Identify people who are eligible for health screening

S16: Promotes health and prevent ill health by understanding the evidence base for immunisation, vaccination and herd immunity