Comprehensive Health Assessment

It is always advisable to improve our social determinants of health by establishing social and physical environments that guarantees good health for everyone. The purpose of comprehensive health assessment is to examine the social, behavioral factors, health risks, and patient’s background information which aids in determining a clinical solution for the patient’s healthcare plan. To conduct a comprehensive health assessment, the practicing nurse needs to be well versed with standardized assessment techniques. This paper seeks to examine a patient’s comprehensive health assessment using social determinants of health. Patient’s Information The patient in this assessment plan is an immigrant from Mexico. Patients should be encouraged to know about these social determinants so that they are well prepared during the interview.

There are useful resources available physically or online that can guide a healthcare practitioner to carry out effective social determinants of health. Spreading awareness across different quarters ensures that the masses are educated about the subject. It is easier to perform a comprehensive health assessment on an enlightened patient that the one who doesn’t know anything concerning the assessment and the social determinants. Curiosity It is important to develop curiosity regarding the background information of a patient. My annual income is approximately $600000 to $800000. What’s your level of education? Answer: I have an undergraduate Degree in Applied Biology. I am currently undertaking my Masters in Molecular Biology. Do you have any family member or friends around you? Answer: No, I don’t live with any of my family members.

I don’t have a child either. She has a health cover from her employer and she plans to enroll for another personal medical scheme. This is to ensure that she will still access medical services in an unlikely event that she loses her job. Analysis has shown that the patient has a good health care plan however she has a weak social support system. Social support is obtained from family, friends or from professional counselors. Social support networks are one of the important aspects of social determinants of health. Her neighborhood provides all the required facilities and factors that are critical for the social determinants of health. How Economic Stability Affects Access to Healthcare According to the World Health Organization’s (WHO) definition of health, health does not only mean the absence of illness, but rather in the wide sense of physical, emotional, economical, and social factors that guarantees the overall wellbeing of an individual, at family and community levels (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention).

Therefore, an individual’s health is not only influenced by personal risk factors and social behaviors. Economic and social conditions significantly contribute to an individual’s health. Social and economic factors affect humans’ health through a number of ways. Her economic position enables her to afford a wide variety of social amenities that are critical in ensuring quality life. The patient has been attending medical screening periodically meaning that she is in a position to detect any health complication at any an early stage. Having a medical cover implies that she is able to access quality healthcare at any time. Studies have shown that patients with medical insurance are highly likely to live an uninterrupted life than those without covers. Since health covers come at a cost, people from the low income bracket are not able to afford quality insurance.

Housing Stability A safe home is the pillar on which individuals and families build a quality life that guarantees good health and general wellbeing. On the other hand, homelessness and poor housing infrastructures have long-term negative effects on physical and mental health. The health effects of poor housing affects the poor and other disadvantaged populations. Housing conditions that may lead to unhealthy effects are cold, overcrowding, and damp. Poor energy efficiency in houses can cause low temperatures that may make the occupants to develop cardiovascular and rheumatoid diseases. Studies have shown that massive heath inequalities are largely concentrated in areas that are inhabited by poorly educated people. It is apparent that the quality of education is directly linked to the social and economic status of the populations.

People with better education are well placed to secure white collar employment opportunities that pay good wages. This paper has already examined how high wages influence an individual’s economic status. Therefore, economic and social factors that are part of social determinants of health are directly influenced by the education. Some highly educated people can face some barriers while accessing quality health care. This can happen when the patient is more knowledgeable that the healthcare professional. When a nurse realizes that the patient is more educated than him/her, they feel inferior hence affecting the provision of quality healthcare. On the other hand, educated people are capable of making good decisions concerning their own healthcare. This is one of the opportunities that can work to their advantage.

A sparsely populated environment is always free from pollution. Pollution and other ineffective solid waste disposal mechanisms can lead to respiratory diseases. Developed residential areas tend to host healthcare facilities that benefit the local community. Comparison between the Provision of Healthcare Services Offered in Low-Income Areas and High-Income Areas Social and economic classes affect the quality of the provision of healthcare. People living in in low-income areas are likely to experience low quality healthcare services due to their low economic capabilities. Residents in high-income areas have the options to access varieties of food since they can afford to purchase the food items. This explains why the patient in this health assessment project can access varieties of healthy food options. PART B Importance of Social Determinants This is pressing need to address social determinants since they affect the health and wellbeing of individuals.

Examination of the social determinants of health for this client shows that she is living in a friendly environment hence no serious cause of alarm. This social determinants are critical in prevention of diseases hence their importance. A list of social support groups can be made and handed to her so that she can choose the one she interested of joining. She can be promised awards in case she successfully fulfills the stringiest requirements. b. Barriers in Implementing the Care Plan The major barrier in implementing this care plan is that since the patient is employed it never known when she may lose her job. In case of a job loss, it would be difficult to sustain her standard of living hence posing a barrier to implement the plan.