Nursing and Indigenous Health Care - Case Study Example

Running head: Nursing and Indigenous Health Care - Access Name: Lecturer: University: Course: Date: Introduction There are many factors that influence health care access in myriad of societies across the globe. Among them is the social economic status, race, sex inter alia. This discourse attempts to elucidate on the plight of the indigenous people in various societies in reference to access to medical care and treatment. Besides, the paper seek to draw comprehensive criticism of three articles that attempt to go against the tide and assert that health access is a right for every person notwithstanding the social or economic background yet the indigenous people remain in the periphery and the margins of both developed and developing nations’ societies. There are variables that the indigenous people face every time while trying to access health care. Chiefly, inequities between the aboriginal people and the rest of the populace are an issue that has for a long time been overlooked. Consequently, the issue has led to lower utilization of health facilities amongst the aboriginals (Carson et al, 2007 pg. 45). Many researches reveal that there still exist a big gap in reference to utilization, consumption and access to health care between the aboriginals and the other groups of the societies. As elucidated by Evans, it is imperative to address the root cause of these differences without getting lost in the miasma of deceit in thinking that everyone can easily access the health facilities (2001, pg 134). Article 1 This article espouses on the vulnerability of the Torres Strait islanders and the indigenous people in suffering stroke attacks. The article is written by Amanda Thrift and Noel Hay man. It is elucidated in the article that the article presents the findings of the cases of stroke amongst this population. It is imperative to appreciate that the aboriginals and Torres Strait people in Australia constitute less than 3% of the entire population (Thrift & Hayman, 2007). The article further explains that very few if any research has ever been conducted in the area viz a viz the risk of stroke attacks. The lack of information regarding these people is the biggest objective of the study since it aims at providing more information and insight about the proneness of the aboriginals to the risk of stroke. With limited literature sources, the researchers carried out a literature review based on the information available which in most instances was of low quality or incomplete. The national mortality and morbidity data was the most influential source of data about the aboriginals and stroke (Thrift & Hayman, 2007). Nonetheless, the greatest limitation of this study was in many ways the inability of the hospitals and national databases’ failure to match the data with the indigenous status. It was among the top states in Australia where the Aboriginal population are more than 60% of the population that the data gathered was found to be more reliable than in other states without a huge percentage of the Aboriginals (Thrift & Hayman, 2007). The various categories to establish the gaps that exist in health access and vulnerability had three aspects of studies. Firstly, there was analysis of the number of cases in regard to stroke cases that were hospitalized. Besides, in collecting data, the deaths of the aboriginals as a result of stroke were compared to the deaths of the entire population in the nation. Finally, such variables as the predisposition of the aboriginals to suffering from stroke attacks and barriers to treatment in addition to the variety of other risk factors were under scrutiny. Essentially, it was found that the rate of hospitalization amongst the indigenous population suffering from stroke is higher than the rest of Australians. Indeed, the males and female aboriginals are 1.5 and 1.9 times more likely to get hospitalized due stroke attacks respectively as opposed to the entire population (Thrift & Hayman, 2007). Additionally, the article presents a finding that, deaths resulting from stroke attacks are more prevalent amongst the indigenous population than any other categories of people. Among the risk factors that were identified as rife among the aboriginals included habitual smoking of tobacco, uncontrolled alcohol consumption, high levels of hypertension amongst the middle aged aboriginals, among the highest levels and prevalence rates of the type 2 diabetes and higher chances of contracting rheumatic diseases and heart related illnesses (Thrift & Hayman, 2007). All this was attributed to the fact that access to the health facilities to access preventive care is quite a task for the marginalized population. As aforementioned, the inequities, poverty and illiteracy could be a contributory factor to high levels of stroke attacks in addition to other diseases. Nonetheless, the authorities are particularly addressing the disparities by ensuring that new strategies to improve general health of the population. Article 2 On the issue of indigenous population, CMAJ relayed an article in relation to the same in regard to disparities experienced by the population in accessing health care. The main objective of the research conducted by inter alia, Song Gao, Braden J. Manns, Bruce F. Culleton, and Marcello Tonelli included assessing the disparities prevalent among the indigenous population as compared to the rest of the population. According to the article, it is imperative to establish the gaps that exist between the marginalized population and the rest of the populace. In essence the research sought to understand the ethnic differences that existed in reference to high rates of kidney illnesses amongst the indigenous population in Canada. Besides, it was an objective of the study to elucidate and determine whether there is equal access to the health facilities for both the aboriginals and non-aboriginal population especially in addressing the issues of chronic kidney diseases in the society (Song et al, 2008). Among the methods that were employed in conducting the research entailed sampling of over hundred thousands no aboriginals who were to compare with approximately a thousand aboriginals. The sampled population was targeted to examine the patients suffering from chronic kidney ailments in relation to the ethnic backgrounds (Song et al, 2008).. This included all the patients that were hospitalized and those who were receiving inpatient care of the disease. The research was meant to espouse on the preventable kidney ailments that the aboriginals suffered which by and large could be diagnosed at an earlier stage yet they were not. Additionally, the research covered the out patients as well. Among the findings of the research was that the aboriginals were twice more likely to get admitted in hospitals in relation to kidney diseases as compared to other ethnic groups in the Canadian society (Song et al, 2008). Moreover, the aboriginals suffering from kidney illnesses were unlikely to receive proper care since they had little or no chance in visiting a nephrologist. Lack of access to proper health care was the biggest impediment that the indigenous population faces. As aforementioned, the social economic status coupled with illiteracy and unemployment is attributable to their woes. However the Canadian health care system is one of a kind as it tries with all the resource at disposal to address the plight of the aboriginals by ensuring that they access proper health care that is preventive rather than curative (Song et al, 2008). In addition the research also found that the was no significant difference in visiting the interns in the health facilities between the aboriginals and the rest of the society Essentially, the article concludes by interpreting the findings of the research which they explain the inequities and hindrances that typify the aboriginals. Indeed, it is evident that the health inequities are prevalent in Canadian society due to ethnic and indigenous status of the population. Further, it explicit hat the high rates of chronic ailments amongst the aboriginals could increase in future if proactive measures to address the inequities in accessing health and medical care are not undertaken (Song et al, 2008).. Article 3 This article attempts to elucidate on the health issues of the children after a survey on pediatric facilities. Titled “Otitis media in Aboriginal children: The discordance between burden of illness and access to services in rural/remote and urban Australia” the article establishes the disparities that aboriginal children face in attempt to access health care. Among the contributors of the article are Gunasekera, Morris and Couzos. The research had the objective of comparing the gaps that are prevalent in the rural areas in regard to the availability of ear services. Myriad of respondents all over Australia garnered on the internet survey constituted the target population. They filled in a questionnaire that was emailed to them and that addressed the issues pertaining the access and disparities accruing different categories of the society regarding ear health services. In December 2006, the researchers embarked on a mission to conduct a survey amongst numerous respondents most of whom were medical practitioners. The medical practitioners received a questionnaire through their respective emails that they consequently answered. The question as earlier mentioned addressed the cross cutting issues of inequities experienced by the indigenous Australians as the possible barrier to accessing proper health care and treatment (Gunasekera et al, 2006). Particularly, the research focused on children frequency in getting treatment in relation to ear, nose and throat ailments. The research questions also focused on the comparisons between the rural and urban population in accessing the health facilities and the frequency of the ENT (Ear, Nose and Throat) infections. Chi square tests were conducted to reveal the reliability, validity and predictability of the gathered information. The results only confirmed the long standing disparities experienced by the aboriginals and indigenous population when the access of medical services was concerned. With a whooping 72% of the respondents agreeing to fill in the questionnaires, it was evident that the practitioners in the rural regions reported a heightened cases of children suffering from either, ear, nose or throat infection as compared to their urban counterparts. Besides, there was a need to express the lack of experts in the field in the rural areas (Gunasekera et al, 2006). Many qualified practitioners were found to reside and practice in urban areas as opposed to the rural areas where the conditions and in are prevalent. Of particular interest was audiology which took over three months to access the service in the rural areas which further contravenes the government policy on health. Additionally, hearing aid provision aids were reported to be higher in the urban settings than in the rural areas where cases of the infections are more. Conclusively, the research found that the burden of the rural practitioners is increasing exponentially given the fact that many cases of ear, throat and nose infections are recorded highly there yet the best facilities and services are offered in the urban areas. The children born in an indigenous setting were found to experience otitis media more often than their counterparts belonging to other ethnic and social groups in the society (Gunasekera et al, 2006). It is imperative to recognize that the indigenous children only receive medical care upon falling ill. However, these services are never accessible to them and as such myriad of them ignore them making them severe and chronic. Comparing and contrasting the articles At the outset, the articles show the inequities that different social groups encounter. Particularly the Aboriginals suffer the high risks of stroke, chronic kidney illnesses as opposed to many other categories of people in the world. However, the third article attempts to explain the prevalent rates of ENT amongst the children in rural and urban settings but generalizes that rural areas are predominantly inhabited by the indigenous population. Second article fails to address other factors that could be attributed to high rates of chronic kidney illnesses amongst the aboriginals. Learning outcomes in evidence based nursing and Recommendations The three articles constitute a research that is based on evidence that address disparities when it comes to access the health care for indigenous population. There is need for more resources (Financial and Human) to be allocated to address ENT in the rural areas especially the medical experts and professionals are significantly lo in numbers. Additionally, the advocacy for preventive care as opposed to curative care should be carried out in the rural areas. This is in line with recognition that many aboriginals seek treatment upon falling sick. The articles have attempted to highlight on the gaps that exist in provision of health care which act as a platform for evidence based practice in that, the research evolved around the nursing profession. As a nursing practitioner, systematic review of research findings is the core of the research based practice. The articles are clearly and systematically reviewed which helps the nurse to understand the process holistically. Proper use of data gathered is an attribute that a nurse gathers from the critical appraisal of the three articles. The articles espouse on the validity of the data and hence a nurse can use the data to draw conclusions that provide the basis for his/her actions. Conclusion The three articles had specific objectives which were to establish the gaps that need bridging in provision of equal health care to all segments of the population. Indeed, the confirmed that there existed some widespread discrepancies in accessing health care especially amongst the indigenous. As the articles elucidate, Kidney illnesses, ENT and stroke are medical conditions that are rife amongst this category of the population. It is imperative to realize that other researchers whose aim was to expound on the specific illness such as diabetes and rheumatism have yielded equal results (Stroke Unit Trialists, 2004). Highlighting few illnesses and getting the same results is a clear indication of the woes of that the indigenous people face. The three articles have similar results that need to be acted on sooner than later. References Bywaters Paul (2009) Social Work and Global Health Inequalities: Policy and Practice Developments The Policy Press, 303 pages Carson B., Terry D. & Richard D. C. (2007) Social Determinants of Indigenous Health 1st Edition New York; Allen & Unwin, 306 pages Evans Timothy (2001) Challenging inequities in health: from ethics to action 2nd Edition London: Oxford University Press US, 348 pages Gunasekera H., Peter S. M., Daniels J., Couzos S., & Craig J., C. (December 2006) “Otitis media in Aboriginal children: The discordance between burden of illness and access to services in rural/remote and urban Australia” Journal of Pediatrics and children Health Retrieved on 2010-08- 29 Song G., Et Al (November 2008) “Access to health care among status Aboriginal people with chronic kidney disease” CMAJ Journals Also available on www.cmaj.ca/cgi/content/full/179/10/1007/DC1 Retrieved on 2010-08- 29 Stroke Unit Trialists (2004) Collaboration: Organised inpatient (stroke unit) care for stroke (Cochrane Review); in The Cochrane Library Chichester, UK: John Wiley & Sons Thrift A.G. & Hayman N. (February 2007) “Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and the burden of stroke” International Journal of Stroke Vol 2, 57–59 Retrieved on 2010-08- 28 Read More