HSC0003 Intro to Health Care

1. Health-related resolution 

New Year always comes with new things. Like any other individual, I had my own new year’s resolution. Unlike last year where my resolution was based on money matters and improvement of my living standards, this year I chose to make my resolution focusing on my health and well-being. The resolution was to keep fit and avoid complications that come along with the lack of physical activities like obesity, diabetes, cancer, high blood pressure and even stroke (Reiner et al. 2013). I had to outline several activities that I must perform on a daily basis. Besides some of the activities required funding and I was ready and willing to meet the expense. Besides, some activities required instructions from professionals, and I set some time to attend some sessions in the nearby body fitness center.

I had not experienced any complication relating to lack of physical fitness. That means the prevention was just at the primordial level and I was only concerned with my future well-being. I accomplished my resolution and based on the Health Belief model every aspect was considered. Perceived severity of the complications that are brought about by the lack of physical activities is what prompted my decision. I know the diseases that develop can be terminal and it is important to take precaution. Perceived susceptibility due to my lifestyle also played a key role (Karimy et al. 2012). My profession does not involve a lot of physical movement or activities thus not active, which can be a good cause of the complications. Perceived benefits or physical activities are enormous. I only had to modify some variables and use the knowledge I have about the complications to come up with the best plan. What added more to my determination were the cues to actions I got from friends and my fitness instructor. However, the most important thing was my resilience and hard work. I stuck to my plan, and now it has turned into a routine. I am glad I successfully implemented my resolution.

2. 5 A’s of tobacco clinical practice guidelines

The suggestions from a health care provider are always more effective than the suggestions from friends or family members. For instance, a health care provider can tell a patient to quit smoking tobacco, and the patient obeys. Considering Maslow’s hierarchy of needs, a health care provider can persuade the patient to avoid the use of tobacco easily (Groff  & Terhaar, 2011). First, tobacco smoking does not hold any importance in the hierarchy of human needs. It is not essential for the survival of a person. Most people smoke tobacco because of their reasons like luxury and prestige.

Health care providers can still use the 5 A’s of tobacco clinical practice guidelines to facilitate the change of behavior on a patient using tobacco. It is essential for the health care provider to follow the five major steps of intervention strictly. First, is asking and getting to know the status of the patients using tobacco. By asking also, the health care provider will be able to identify the patient using tobacco and document the status (Sarna et al. 2009). Secondly, the health provider gives his or her advice to the patient to quit the behavior. The advice needs to be a personal, clear and strong. After that, the health provider has to assess whether the patient is willing to quit the behavior or not. Here several things like body language and personal character need consideration. Assistance for those willing to quit the behavior is the provider. The assistance comes in the form of routine counseling of the patient. Lastly, arranging for the follow-up plan is put in place. This can be enhanced through phone calls or personal contacts within the first few weeks after quitting the behavior. By observing all those steps of intervention, health care provider will be successful in changing the behavior of a patient.  

References

Groff Paris, L., & Terhaar, M. (2011). Using Maslow’s Pyramid and the National Database of Nursing Quality Indicators™ to Attain a Healthier Work Environment. Online journal of issues in nursing, 16.

Karimy, M., Gallali, M., Niknami, S. H., Aminshokravi, F., & Tavafian, S. S. (2012). The effect of health education program based on Health Belief Model on the performance of Pap smear test among women referring to health care centers in Zarandieh. Journal of Jahrom University of Medical Sciences, 10(1), 53-59.

Sarna, L., Bialous, S. A., Rice, V. H., & Wewers, M. E. (2009). Promoting tobacco dependence treatment in nursing education. Drug and alcohol review, 28(5), 507-516.

Reiner, M., Niermann, C., Jekauc, D., & Woll, A. (2013). Long-term health benefits of physical activity–a systematic review of longitudinal studies. BMC public health, 13(1), 813.