Social Determinants of Health: Addressing Access to Essential Services for a Parent with Young Children in a Remote Area

QUESTION

write an essay on the Social Determinants of Health (SDH) then choose one that you consider to be vital for a healthy life and can be modified. discuss the vulnerable group (A parent with young children live in remote area )and describe how reduced access to that determinant could impact their health outcomes.

 Vulnerable group: A parent with young children live in remote area. 

Discuss what nursing actions could improve or facilitate accessibility to that SDH for the nominated group.  assessed on your understanding of the SDH and reflective practice.

1. Using Rolfe, Freshwater & Jasper’s (2001) framework reflective model (What? So what? Now what?), describe the SDH.

2. Identify one SDH of vulnerable group consider to be vital for healthy living (provide evidence for your choice).

3. Explore why it may be harder for the vulnerable population to access that determinant of health and state why. This is the “What?” in Rolfe et al.’s reflective model.

4. Reflect on how reduced access to that SDH might impact health outcomes for your chosen vulnerable group. This is the “So what?” section of Rolfe et al.’s framework.

5. Reflect on how the nurse can take action to improve access to the nominated SDH for your chosen vulnerable group. This is the “Now what?” section of Rolfe et al.’s framework.

6. Provide at least two examples of the benefits (with justifications) for using reflective practice when working in primary care and community settings.

7. Explore why the NMBA includes reflective practice within the standards for practice

Assessment critieria

1. Describe the SDH, then using evidence to support of choice, identify one that consider is vital to health.

2. Using the reflective framework develop by Rolfe and colleagues, explore the difficulties the chosen vulnerable group could encounter in accessing the identified determinant, and how reduced access could impact their health outcomes.

3. Explain what action/s a nurse can take to improve access to the identified SDH for the group and how reflective practice as described by the NMBA can by used in settings such as primary and community care.

4. Write a reflective essay using correct grammar, spelling and paragraphing. You may use personal pronouns (I, me, mine, etc.).

5. Apply evidence and adhere to APA 7th edition referencing style when citing in-text and compiling the reference list.

word limit 2000

ANSWER

Social Determinants of Health: Addressing Access to Essential Services for a Parent with Young Children in a Remote Area

Introduction

Social Determinants of Health (SDH) are the conditions in which individuals are born, grow, live, work, and age, shaping their health outcomes. They include factors such as socioeconomic status, education, social support networks, and access to healthcare. This essay explores the SDH framework using Rolfe, Freshwater, and Jasper’s reflective model, focusing on a vulnerable group consisting of a parent with young children living in a remote area. The chosen SDH for discussion is access to healthcare services, and we will examine the impact of reduced access on the health outcomes of this population. Additionally, nursing actions will be explored to improve accessibility to healthcare services, highlighting the importance of reflective practice in primary care and community settings.

Describing the SDH

SDH encompass various factors that influence health, including economic stability, education, social and community context, healthcare access, and physical environment. These factors interact and contribute to health disparities, highlighting the need for a comprehensive approach to address health inequalities.

 Identifying a Vital SDH: Access to Healthcare Services

Access to healthcare services is vital for a healthy life as it ensures timely and appropriate healthcare interventions, preventive care, disease management, and health promotion. This determinant directly impacts health outcomes and plays a significant role in reducing morbidity and mortality rates.

Difficulties in Accessing Healthcare for the Vulnerable Group

For a parent with young children living in a remote area, accessing healthcare services can be challenging due to various reasons. These may include:
Geographical Barriers: Remote areas often lack proximity to healthcare facilities, resulting in limited availability and increased travel time and costs.
Limited Healthcare Infrastructure: Remote areas may have a scarcity of healthcare professionals, clinics, and specialized services, leading to inadequate coverage and long waiting times.
Transportation Challenges: Limited public transportation options and long distances can hinder access to healthcare facilities, especially for individuals without private vehicles.
Socioeconomic Factors: Financial constraints and limited health insurance coverage may further impede access to healthcare services for this vulnerable group.

Impact of Reduced Access on Health Outcomes

Reduced access to healthcare services can have profound implications for the health outcomes of a parent with young children in a remote area. It may lead to:
Delayed or Inadequate Care: Limited access increases the likelihood of delayed diagnoses, inadequate treatment, and disease progression, potentially resulting in poorer health outcomes for both the parent and their children.
Increased Health Disparities: Restricted access exacerbates existing health disparities, as vulnerable populations face greater barriers in receiving equitable healthcare services.
Compromised Preventive Care: Reduced access hinders the timely delivery of preventive measures, such as vaccinations and routine screenings, increasing the risk of preventable illnesses and complications.

Nursing Actions to Improve Access to Healthcare Services

Nurses can play a crucial role in improving access to healthcare services for the vulnerable group. This can be achieved through:
Advocacy: Nurses can advocate for increased healthcare infrastructure and funding in remote areas, urging policymakers to prioritize healthcare services and address disparities.
Telehealth Services: Utilizing technology, nurses can provide virtual consultations, education, and support to the parent and their children, bridging the geographical gap and reducing the need for travel.
Collaborative Partnerships: Nurses can collaborate with local community organizations, healthcare providers, and government agencies to establish outreach clinics, mobile healthcare units, or telemedicine centers, ensuring accessibility to essential healthcare services.
Health Education: Empowering the parent with knowledge about preventive care, self-care practices, and available healthcare resources can help them navigate the healthcare system effectively and promote the health and well-being of their children.

Benefits of Reflective Practice in Primary Care and Community Settings

Self-Reflection: Reflective practice allows nurses to critically examine their actions, attitudes, and values, enhancing self-awareness and facilitating personal and professional growth.
Continuous Improvement: Reflective practice helps nurses identify areas for improvement, allowing them to refine their skills, knowledge, and approaches to provide high-quality, patient-centered care.
Person-Centered Care: Reflective practice encourages nurses to consider the unique needs and perspectives of individuals, fostering a holistic approach to care and strengthening therapeutic relationships.
 Learning from Experience: Reflective practice enables nurses to learn from their experiences, including successes and challenges, promoting evidence-based practice and informed decision-making.

Inclusion of Reflective Practice in Nursing Standards

The Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia (NMBA) includes reflective practice within the standards for practice to ensure that nurses continually engage in self-reflection, critical thinking, and ongoing professional development. This supports the delivery of safe, effective, and person-centered care while promoting professional accountability and growth.

Conclusion

Addressing the social determinant of access to healthcare services is crucial for improving the health outcomes of vulnerable populations, such as parents with young children living in remote areas. By recognizing the barriers and implementing nursing actions, such as advocacy, telehealth services, collaborative partnerships, and health education, nurses can enhance accessibility and bridge the gap in healthcare services. Additionally, integrating reflective practice in primary care and community settings enables nurses to continuously improve their practice, deliver person-centered care, and advocate for equitable healthcare for all.