Health Sciences: Chronic Illness - Essay Example

Sociology Chronic Illness Introduction Illness is characterized by regression and dependency of an individual whereby an interactionwith the health care providers assures the individual of a hopeful recovery. Chronic illness is an event in a person’s life that is permanent or that is meant to last for long and may even last for the entire life of the individual. Sociology plays an important role in chronic illnesses as it documents the issues of uncertainty as pertains to the chronic illness, doctor patient relationships, management of the symptoms and treatment modalities. The prototype chronic illness that this essay will be committed to delineating the sociological aspects of will be diabetes. This is since, it has been stipulated that the current 250 million individuals currently suffering from diabetes in the world, will increase to 380 million individuals by the year 2025. This entails that diabetes will soon become a global epidemic and hence addressing the sociological aspects of diabetes is timely and of relevance (Tarride 255). With the foretold genesis, diabetes will be described and the effects it has on daily life outlined. The sociological aspects of the chronic illness; doctor patient relationship, health care and insurance expense will also be outlined. The check list manifesto by Atul Gawande will also be implemented as pertains to addressing the sociological aspects of chronic illnesses. Diabetes and Its Effects on Activities of Daily Living Diabetes mellitus is defined as metabolic condition characterized by hyperglycemia (increased glucose levels in the blood). Diabetes has become a major health concern as a result of its associated costs and high prevalence. Type 1 diabetes is characterized by the inability of body to produce insulin hence glucose is not up taken. However, type 2 diabetes mellitus occurs when the cells are not responsive to insulin and hence no glucose uptake takes place. Type 2 diabetes is the most common type of diabetes accounting with a prevalence of 85-95% of diabetes cases in high income countries. In an interview carried out at an outpatient diabetic clinic, Mr. X aged 50 years, had type 2 diabetes mellitus. He explained to us that there was a familial history since his father succumbed to diabetes after it was discovered late. Mr. X also had a body mass index of 42 kg/m2 fitting the definition of an obese person. This illustrated that obesity is a predisposing factor to type 2 diabetes mellitus (Tarride 255). Diabetes has poor prognosis and predisposes an individual to increased mortality and morbidity rates. Studies have illustrated that diabetic patients are at a higher risk of developing fatal and non fatal events ensuing following the diagnosis of diabetes. Individuals suffering from diabetes have a 41% higher risk of death, twice higher risk of myocardial infarction, and seven times higher risk of amputation compared to non diabetic individuals. Type 2 diabetes mellitus is salient and a diagnosis is made way later and may be coupled with complications of diabetes. Long term complications of diabetes are micro vascular (nephropathy, neuropathy, and retinopathy) and macro vascular (stroke, myocardial infarction, coronary heart disease and heart failure) (Tarride 255). Mr. X had been diagnosed with type 2 diabetes mellitus 3 years prior to the interview after presenting with poor vision to the hospital. The doctor carried out investigations and the results of a random blood sugar test and a fasting blood sugar test were confirmatory of diabetes. He had not yet developed any macro vascular complications yet but complained of tiring easily, an illustration of involvement of the cardiovascular system. This affected his way of life since he had to quit from his previous employment as he worked in an industry and his poor sight compromised his safety. This led to the termination of his employment even after having gone to an optician and got optical lenses to aid in improving his visual capacity (Tarride 255). Increase in the number of medications is another effect on the activities of daily living that diabetes has on individuals. People suffering from diabetes are predisposed to acquiring infection due to their compromised immune status. This translates to an increase in the number of medications taken to not only strengthen their immunity but to also prevent the acquisition of complications. With reference to Mr. X whom we found at the diabetic outpatient clinic, he had his insulin to control diabetes. In addition, he had drugs which he elaborated to us were prescribed to assist him in reducing his blood pressure that had been reported to be escalating. Consequently, he had drugs aimed at strengthening his eyesight and prevention the prolongation of cataract. These drugs were taken at varying times of the day, radically changing the life of Mr. X (Tarride 255). Sociologic Aspects of Diabetes as a Chronic Illness Diabetes has social restrictions that accompany an individual suffering from diabetes. These individuals become prone to instances of hypoglycemia incase insulin used is more than was outlined or if they have stayed for long without having a meal. This is a situation seen especially among diabetic individuals who drive themselves. They are prone to being hypoglycemic in traffic and are at risk of causing road accidents. Consequently, in meetings or in overcrowded areas, these individuals cannot stay in such an environment for long as their glucose levels may go significantly low. In addition, in social gatherings, these individuals have to restrict their diet as they cannot take alcohol or increased caloric intake hence predisposing them to social scrutiny from the society. Social life of an individual is a sociological issue and hence hindrance of social life by diabetes qualifies to be a sociological aspect of diabetes (Tarride 255). Acquiring life insurance for a diabetic person is another sociological hurdle posed by the individual’s condition. Most insurance companies do not cover such patients and the management of the patient is expensive and the individuals are perceived as having a shorter life span. In cases where an insurance company agrees to insure a diabetic individual, the company charges high premium rates to the individual making the management of the insurance cover possible. This leads to the diabetic individual foregoing the insurance cover. Coupled with this, as a result of lack of insurance cover, diabetic individuals are sidelined in employment opportunities. These are employment opportunities that require their employees to have a medical cover. Employment is a sociological issue and hence sidelining of diabetic individuals as pertains to employment opportunities translates to a sociological aspect of diabetes (Tarride 255). Diabetes has a financial burden on individuals suffering from diabetes. It has been documented that diabetes financial burden accounted for 2% in Netherlands, 7% in Germany and Italy, and 11% in the United States. A study carried out in the United States revealed that diabetes accounted for 22% of all the hospital inpatient days. With reference to Mr. X he affirmed of the financial constrains that diabetes had on him and the burden translated to his family. This was accounted by the lifestyle change he had to adopt; his diet was different from the rest members of his family. Consequently, the checkups to the hospital were costly as he had to travel every month to receive a replenishment of his drugs. In addition, he had no form of earning a living and hence had to depend on his family to meet his financial, health, emotional, and psychological needs. Finances are paramount for the sociological well being of an individual and hence an important sociological aspect as pertains to diabetes (Tarride 255). Depression is another sociological aspect associated with diabetes. It results from an individual having feelings of guilt since many of them perceive themselves as being responsible of their illness. Majority of them perceive diabetes as a lifetime treatment and a sickness that would never end and hence perceive it as an early death judgment. This leads to isolation and denial that makes them not comply with treatment. This qualifies to be a sociological aspect as it alters the relationship of the diabetic members with members of his family and also with other members of the community. However, this can be curtailed by educating the individual on the role he plays in his recovery and also educating on the treatment and prognosis of diabetes. With reference to Mr. X, his family affirmed this by informing us that following the diagnosis 3 years ago, Mr. X went into denial and depression and had to undergo counseling. Mr. X avowed that he still continues with the counseling sessions since they enable him to understand his condition and also learn how to effectively deal with other people. The psychological well being of a diabetic individual needs to be addressed to ensure a healthy social relationship (Tarride 255). Social support is another sociological aspect of chronic illness. Individuals with diabetes need social support from the significant others in their life and also from other people suffering from diabetes. Social support entails a variety of activities from being there for the individual, encouragement, and assisting in the activities of daily living. Social support can also be generated from external sources and these include network groups of other individuals suffering from diabetes. These groups enable an individual to relate with other people suffering from the same illness and hence encourage each other. An individual suffering from diabetes can also garner social support from attending workshops and seminars meant for diabetic individuals. Through these seminars, the diabetic patient is able to understand the illness and also learn on ways to deal with the challenges posed by the illness. This illuminates that social support is an important sociological aspect in the effective management of diabetes (Tarride 255). Application of the Check List Manifesto by Atul Gawande as Pertains To Sociological Aspects of Chronic Illnesses Check list manifesto is described by the Author as a wakeup call for medical practitioners and expertise to admit that they need help. The check list outlines the requirements that are needed for success as it outlines the step by step process of doing things differently from the way they are done in a normal setting. As pertains to chronic illnesses, the check list manifesto serves as a need for healthcare workers to collaborate with each other in the delivery of care. The check list manifesto outlines that it is only when the medical practitioners, talk to each other, acknowledge each other and appreciate each other that change in health care can occur. Chronic illnesses mainly have no cure and the patient is nursed under palliative care aimed at minimizing discomfort and prolonging life. This calls for the physicians, physiotherapist, nurses, nutritionist, and the counselor to work in collaboration for the recovery of the individual (Atul 1). Secondly, the check list manifesto outlines that there has to be pre- planning before carrying out an activity so as to ensure maximum reaping of the benefits. Atul emphasizes that each and every person in the health care setting needs to know when he comes in the delivery of care. This should be done in utmost promptness failure to which non reversible adverse effects have the propensity to occur. He emphasizes that the check list manifesto is aimed at reducing errors, increasing safety, and increasing efficiency. As pertains to diabetes as a chronic illness, the check list manifesto can be applied through the use of primary screening of individuals at risk of diabetes. This will prevent the current trend where diabetes is only diagnosed following the setting in of the complications. This will help reduce the incidence of diabetes as the treatment modalities will be aimed at preventing rather than curing hence reducing the morbidity and mortality rates associated with diabetes (Atul 1). Financial burden as pertains to the screening, management, prevention, and prognosis of diabetes can also be made effective through the use of the check list manifesto by Atul Gawande. The check list emphasizes on the role played by ignorance in the progression of disease burden translating to an increase in the morbidity and mortality associated with diabetes. The check list will aid in reducing the financial burden since it aims at enlightening individuals on the importance of healthy diet, physical activity, and exercise. This will translate to a decrease in ignorance of individuals and consequently reduce prevalence of diabetes. Financial burden will also be reduced by addressing ignorance of individuals through education since the management will lead to prevention and early screening. This will reduce the complications associated with diabetes and hence reduce the drugs procured by individuals suffering from diabetes. Atul emphasizes that by addressing ignorance among patients, this is the first recovery process to not only the patient, but the family and the health sector at large (Atul 1). Conclusion As a result of the adoption of westernized lifestyle, reduced physical activity and eating junk diet, diabetes has become a health concern and will continue to be if no dire action is taken. Diabetes is associated with increased morbidity and mortality rates and has sociological implications for an individual. Some of the sociological aspects as pertains to diabetes include: lack of employment, stigma, financial burden, lack of medical cover, and social restrictions associated with diabetes. However, the inculcation of the checklist manifesto by Atul Gawande will change the management of diabetes, and hence translate to a reduction in the incidence and prevalence of diabetes worldwide. This is since it will advocate on collaboration among health care workers, reduction of errors, preplanning and early screening as a prevention strategy. Sociological aspects of chronic illness aims at highlighting the areas other than the health of an individual that need to be addressed in bid to ensure the holistic management of a patient. If the sociological aspects of diabetes are addressed, diabetes will be effectively controlled and prevented as will be evidenced by a reduction in its incidence and prevalence. Work Cited Atul Gawande, The Check list manifesto: How to get things right .Web. 20 Dec. 2011. Tarride, Jean-Eric; Hopkins, Robert; Blackhouse, Gord; Bowe, James; Bischof, Matthias et al. "A Review of Methods used in Long-Term Cost-Effectiveness Models of Diabetes Mellitus Treatment." Pharmaco Economics 28.4 (2010): 255-77.Web. 20 Dec. 2011. Read More