Breast Cancer - Intervention Used to Promote Person's Level of Functioning - Case Study Example

Case study about breast cancer Maria Connolly (not her real name) is 53 years old, female with breast cancer stage 2, presently residing at NWS. She is married and has four children. Currently, she lives with her sister together with her daughter because of her sessions of chemotherapy at the hospital, following a mastectomy. She is a housewife but manages a small grocery shop. Presently, the source of income is generated from Pitt who is her husband working in a company at NSW as a computer technician. Her husband, children and sister are very supportive. She complains of the various side effects that she gets following chemotherapy sessions and axillary dissection. Some of these side effects like pain, fatigue and weakness, nausea and vomiting make it difficult for her to run her business hence activity limitation. She loves her job very much but her condition especially after axillary dissection make her want to give up on the business because of the pain she feels which is impairment according to disability/functioning via ICF. Occasionally, her youngest daughter who also lives with her assists her in running the business when she is from school or on weekends. She also verbalizes that she enjoys reading, cleaning and carrying out household chores as well as looking after her family. Intervention used to promote this person’s level of functioning. Aspects of ICF my intervention may target. Risks involved with the intervention and 2 risk minimization strategies that will address these As a health professional in the field of health promotion, the intervention that I will provide for Mrs. Connolly to promote her level of functioning is to provide her with the relevant information concerning the breast cancer. This is important for the patient because she will be able to acknowledge the value of treatment, noting any complication especially due to axillary dissection and chemotherapy, and informing her doctor about any other medication taken (Yarbro et al, 2011). Additionally, sufficient education on health promotion enhances awareness of breast cancer thus self care is increased (Javitt, 2006). The aspects of the ICF that my intervention may target include activity limitation. The patient is not able to carry out her household duties and run her business effectively due to lethargy and weakness. Hence, through health education Mrs. Connolly will ask for help from her family. The risk involved in this intervention is that the patient may find it difficult to adjust to some of the required recommendations that facilitate control of her health and its determinants (Yarbro et al, 2011). For instance, because of the side effects caused by chemotherapy which hence make the patient not able to carry out her duties properly, she might consider not going for her chemo sessions hence probably worsening her situation. Another risk involved with this strategy is the patient’s level of literacy; hence it is important to assess if the patient understands what she is being provided with. One of the strategies that will minimize this will include involving her family during the education session. This will enable the family members to encourage and support her during her chemotherapy sessions hence enhance the patient’s health. Another strategy is to encourage the patient to join a cancer support group in the community so that she can be able to learn from others and appreciate the value of promoting health (Harmer, 2011). Self help groups have been shown to have a positive impact on people suffering from cancer because of what they learn from one another (Stang & Mittelmark, 2010). The role of other health professionals One of the health professional working as part of the inter-professional team is a physiotherapist. Acquired damage or interruption to the axillary lymphatic system following surgery for breast cancer can result in generalized or regional lymphy fluid accumulation within the interstitial space, referred to as secondary lymphoedema. Following axillary lymph nodes’ dissection, this condition is considered the most vital chronic complication. Secondary lymphoedema is able to cause physical discomfort, functional impairment, and disfigurement (Harmer, 2011). Individuals who have gone through mastectomy often experience chest pain, weakness and most common restricted upper limb range of motion (ROM). This is why early intervention of physiotherapy is regarded important to a recovery that is efficient. Ideally, physiotherapy is recommended immediately following surgery. After a comprehensive completion of evaluation, a management plan if designed so as to meet personal goals and needs. Physiotherapy may entail: proper posture instruction; auto-assistive, passive and active ROM exercises; pain relief remedies; strengthening exercises; and education concerning lymphoedema as well as its minimization in terms of skin care, improving elasticity of the skin and avoidance of strain. Physiotherapy is very helpful for this patient as it decreases pain and improves function of the shoulder and life quality following axiallary dissection due to breast cancer (Querci et al, 2006). Additionally interventions through physiotherapy may include relaxation techniques and mobilization of soft tissue. Frequently the patient will need help as to the proper activities’ level in case they are going through chemotherapy following mastectomy. In general, physiotherapy helps to recuperate normal exercise of the limb that is affected following mastectomy (Harmer, 2011). Because prevention is considered the means to recovery, a patient like Mrs. Connolly who has undergone mastectomy is encouraged to commence treatment immediately. The aspect of the ICF that the health professional’s role target is impairment which involves body structure and functions. Because of the pain that the patient experiences, her activities are limited hence the role of an occupational therapist will be imperative to maintain performance of activities by the patient. 3 characteristics of professionalism and description of how this will be demonstrated when conducting the intervention Professionalism is seen as professional attitudes’ expression. One of the characteristics of professionalism is treating people in an equally manner. People need to be treated equally regardless of their condition. When conducting the intervention, treating people equally will be demonstrated by how the patient’s dignity, values, beliefs, ethnicity, and culture will be upheld as it is stipulated in the Code of Professional Conduct for Nurses in Australia (ANMC, 2008a). Another professional characteristic is respecting people, patients for that matter. Code of Ethics for Nurses in Australia stipulates that nurses value kindness and respect for self as well as others (ANMC, 2008b). Appreciating respect for others and self entails valuing the dignity and moral worth of others and oneself. To demonstrate this during the intervention, this will involve respecting the patient’s ethical values the individual may have in the health care context. Kindness will be demonstrated in simple deeds of consideration, care and gentleness. Kindness’ practice as a dedicated and day to day strategy to care decreases imbalance’s power involving an individual receiving or requiring care and a health care provider, by positioning the health care provider at the individual’s service, which is actually the proper relationship (ANMC, 2008b). The last characteristic of professionalism is treating personal information received in a professional scope as confidential and private as stipulated in statement 5 of the Code of Professional Conduct for Nurses in Australia (ANMC, 2008a). During the intervention, this will be demonstrated by ensuring that no irrelevant individuals are present apart from those requested by the patient like family members. In case of disclosure of personal information, it is imperative that patient’s consent be obtained so as to uphold professionalism. Two strategies that ensure that the practice is person-centered One of the strategies to be implemented that ensures that the practice is patient-centered is involving the patient in every step of care so that her preferences and perspectives of health care can be addressed and not ignored (Querci et al, 2006). Effective communication with the patient concerning her condition and what to expect is considered to be effective means of patient-centered care. Another strategy that can be implemented to make sure that the practice is patient-centered is supporting the patient in self-care. Self-care is very important for patients who have breast cancer so that they can enhance their independency (Harmer, 2011). This support entails assisting the patient minimize risk factors, in addition to helping the patient develop and bring up to date goals as well as care plans. Through these strategies, Mrs. Connolly will receive individual attention that she requires so as to manage her condition and enhance her quality of life. The patient’s family will need to be involved in these strategies because they are the central support of the patient and need to be informed what to expect of the patient’s condition. Active involvement of Mrs. Connolly and her family will enhance provision of care provided. Two strategies implemented to maintain professional development It is important for health care providers to remain updated and competent in their practice and hence maintaining professional development ought to meet individual need. This should be demonstrated through application of best practice standards as well as evidence based practice. Professional development takes place rapidly and furiously during placement, therefore health providers should use reflection to explore and incorporate their experiences in order to create a helpful element of their future health care practice (Kelly & Jubb, 2012). Apart from using reflective practice as a strategy in professional development, building one’s confidence is another strategy needed in professional development. As a health provider, particularly in health promotion where one has to provide information on prevention and promotion of health, confidence is obtained from experience as well as exposure to several different patient scenarios in addition to clinical situations. This way, one is able to appreciate the value of different culture and beliefs that different patients come with hence develop an insight of how to handle different situation regardless of the presented challenges. To successfully achieve these strategies, having adequate knowledge in the relevant field will facilitate professional development. In general, professional development involves continuous learning as well as education so that health care providers can provide excellent services of health care to their clients (Kelly & Jubb, 2012). To successfully achieve this, identification of individual learning needs is paramount. Reference Yarbro, C. H., Wujcik, D., & Gobel, B. H. (2011). Cancer nursing: Principles and practice. Sudbury, Mass: Jones and Bartlett Publishers. Querci, . R. G., Warren, R., & Benson, J. R. (2006). Early breast cancer: From screening to multidisciplinary management. London: Taylor & Francis. Harmer, V. (2011). Breast cancer nursing: Care and management. Chichester, West Sussex, U.K: Wiley-Blackwell. Kelly, L., & Jubb, B. (2012). Nurses professional development register. Salisbury, Qld: Boolarang Press. Australian Nursing and Midwifery Council (ANMC). (2008a). Code of Professional Conduct for Nurses in Australia Australian Nursing and Midwifery Council (ANMC). (2008b). Code of Ethics for Nurses in Australia. Javitt, M. C. (2006). Breast cancer awareness: taking charge of women's health. Ajr. American Journal of Roentgenology, 187, 4. Stang, I., & Mittelmark, M. B. (2010). Feature : Intervention to enhance empowerment in breast cancer self-help groups. Nursing Inquiry, 17, 1, 46-56. Read More