INTRODUCTION TO PUBLIC HEALTH AND HEALTH PROMOTION 19/04/23
Vulnerable Groups.
We looked at the learning objectives, with regards the tri-morbidity of homelessness, and to understand the nurse’s role in managing the health care needs of marginalized or socially excluded groups.
We looked at the definition of a HOME and compared with others, looking at people’s personal experiences of been homeless, and how hard it is to become homeless. We say a home means to be safe and secure, to be loved, protected, the physical, mental, and spiritual well-being. Homelessness can be rough sleeping, temporary accommodation-bed, and breakfast, sofa surfing, hostel and hidden homeless-garden sheds, car parks, bin sheds.
Been homeless you are exposed to assault, theft, violent crime. Reduction in employability, low self-esteem. No fixed abode. Vulnerable to exploitation – (sex working, drugs running, begging)
I learnt about the tri-morbidity of homelessness, the physical, mental and substance use. According to Cambridge dictionary, morbidity of the disease is how many people have it in a particular population.
The physical health issues, because of tri-morbidity (how they are linked), the average age of mortality (men & women), the high risk of behaviors, infection (leg ulcer, chest infection), smokers (tobacco, crack heroin, dental issues, tuberculosis, blood borne viruses and long-term conditions- diabetes, hypertension to name but a few. Communicable disease- infectious diseases are caused by pathogenic microorganisms such as bacteria, viruses, parasites, or fungi – these can be spread directly or indirectly from one person to another.
Considering the mental well-being are depression, anxiety, learning disability, domestic violence, drug and alcohol use and unloved population. Substance abuse -heroin -cut with, crack cocaine, and alcohol- units.
The Nurses relationship specialist workshop deals with the skills built for the best outcomes with those marginalized groups. According to Daniel H. Pink, “Empathy is about standing in someone else’s shoe, feeling with his or her heart, seeing with his or her eyes. Not only is empathy hard to outsource and automate, but it makes the world a better place”. With empathy we take their perspectives, we consider their emotions and withhold judgment. Among these three, empathy is at the center of them all. Social exclusion will …….. to domestic violence, relationship breakdown, low educational attainment, drug and alcohol use, unloved population to name but a few.
We looked at a case study of a 43-year-old man, who has a long history of rough sleeping but has recently moved into a hostel where I am for placement. The staff inform me that this individual rarely uses his room in the hostel and when he does return, he does not speak to anyone and does not make any eye contact. The referral from the street team states that the individual has type 2 diabetes and hypertension. He has issues with drinking alcohol and ‘occasionally’ using street heroin.
KSB ADDRESSED.
KNOWLEDGE:
K1: Understand the code: Professional standards of practice and behaviour for nurses, midwives and nursing associates (NMC 2018), and how to fulfil all registration requirements.
K2: Understand the demands of professional practice and demonstrate how to recognise signs of vulnerability in themselves or their colleagues and the action required to minimise risks to health.
K3: Understand the professional responsibility to adopt a healthy lifestyle to maintain the level of personal fitness and well-being required to meet people’s needs for mental and physical care.
K4: Understand the principles of research and how research findings are used to inform evidence-based practice.
K5: Understand the meaning of resilience and emotional intelligence, and their influence on an individual’s ability to provide care.
K6: Understand and apply relevant legal, regulatory and governance requirements, policies, and ethical frameworks, including any mandatory reporting duties, to all areas of practice.
K7: Understand the importance of courage and transparency and apply the Duty of Candour
K8: Understand how discriminatory behaviour is exhibited.
K9: Understand the aims and principles of health promotion, protection and improvement and the prevention of ill health when engaging with people.
K10: Understand the principles of epidemiology, demography, and genomics and how these may influence health and well-being outcomes.
K11: Understand the factors that may lead to inequalities in health outcomes.
K12: Understand the importance of early years and childhood experiences and the possible impact on life choices, mental, physical, and behavioural health and well-being.
K13: Understand the contribution of social influences, health literacy, individual circumstances, behaviours, and lifestyle choices to mental, physical and behavioural health outcomes.
K14: Understand the importance of health screening.
K15: Understand human development from conception to death, to enable delivery of person-centred safe and effective care
K16: Understand body systems and homeostasis, human anatomy and physiology, biology, genomics, pharmacology, social and behavioural sciences as applied to delivery of care.
K17: Understand commonly encountered mental, physical, behavioural and cognitive health conditions as applied to delivery of care.
K18: Understand and apply the principles and processes for making reasonable adjustments..
K19: Know how and when to escalate to the appropriate professional for expert help and advice.
K20: Know how people’s needs for safety, dignity, privacy, comfort and sleep can be met
K24: Know how to support people with commonly encountered symptoms including anxiety, confusion, discomfort, and pain.
K30: Understand the principles of health and safety legislation and regulations and maintain safe work and care environments.
K33: Understand when to seek appropriate advice to manage a risk and avoid compromising quality of care and health outcomes.
K36: Understand the roles of the different providers of health and care.
K39: Understand the principles and processes involved in supporting people and families with a range of care needs to maintain optimal independence and avoid unnecessary interventions and disruptions to their lives.
K40: Understand own role and contribution when involved in the care of a person who is undergoing discharge or a transition of care between professionals, settings or services.
K41: Know the roles, responsibilities and scope of practice of different members of the nursing and interdisciplinary team, and own role within it.
K43: Understand the influence of policy and political drivers that impact health and care provision.
SKILLS:
S1: Act in accordance with the Code: Professional standards of practice and behaviour for nurses, midwives and nursing associates (NMC, 2018), and fulfil all registration requirements.
S5: Safely demonstrate evidence-based practice in all skills and procedures required for entry to the register: Standards of proficiency for nursing associates Annex A & B (NMC 2018).
S7: Communicate effectively using a range of skills and strategies with colleagues and people at all stages of life and with a range of mental, physical, cognitive and behavioural health challenges.
S8: Recognise signs of vulnerability in self or colleagues and the action required to minimise risks to health.
S9: Develop, manage and maintain appropriate relationships with people, their families, carers and colleagues.
S13: Apply the aims and principles of health promotion, protection and improvement and the prevention of ill health when engaging with people.
S14: Promote preventive health behaviours and provide information to support people to make informed choices to improve their mental, physical, behavioural health and wellbeing.
S15: Identify people who are eligible for health screening.
S16: Promote health and prevent ill health by understanding the evidence base for immunisation, vaccination and herd immunity. Accurately undertake risk assessments, using contemporary assessment tools
S35: Accurately undertake risk assessments, using contemporary assessment tools.
BEHAVIOUR:
B1: Treat people with dignity, respecting individual’s diversity, beliefs, culture, needs, values, privacy and preferences
B2: Show respect and empathy for those you work with, have the courage to challenge areas of concern and work to evidence based best practice.
B3: Be adaptable, reliable and consistent, show discretion, resilience and self-awareness.