Improving Healthcare for Vulnerable Population - Essay Example

"Improving Healthcare for Vulnerable Population" is a great example of a paper on social and family issues.
The essay aims to address a two-fold objective to wit: (1) to define vulnerable populations and identify the different barriers associated with obtaining needed services; and (2) to narrate an experience with the identified vulnerable populations.

Vulnerable populations are heterogeneous groups that represent all segments of society and share common risk or risk factors related to economic, physical, social, biological, genetic factors, lifestyle behaviors, and health (Lundy& Janes, 2009, p. 616). The predisposing risk factors may affect a person’s ability for housing security, accessing health care and pharmacological services, as well as pursuing further education.

Immigrants, elderly people, school kids that live in a polluted environment, and homeless people are some of the vulnerable populations of society (Shi& Stevens, 2010, p. 2). The prevalence of vulnerable populations is alarmingly increasing and the barriers needed in obtaining appropriate services should be addressed.

Barriers from Obtaining Needed Services

Sodders (2007) reported in an article that immigrants view legal residency and citizenship as the best option to better access health care. Furthermore, the news article addressed socioeconomic background, immigration status, limited English proficiency, residential location, stigma, and marginalization as the factors that affect their right to have quality access to health care (n.p.). Children and the elderly are also vulnerable populations in health care most especially in terms of violence because of the barriers associated with aging and development. The elderly are at risk of poor influenza outcomes, psychological issues, fractures, and Alzheimer’s disease(Chesnay & Anderson, 2008, p. 4). On the other hand, due to the developmental age of children, they are at risk to acquire diseases related to the environment they live in. In a particular study, researchers had observed a continuous existence of acute respiratory distress in children who were exposed to sulfur dioxide levels of 50 to 275 micrograms per cubic meter and had lived in polluted areas for three years, suggesting a chronic alteration in defense mechanisms (Douglas, 1973, p. 48). In addition, homeless persons are also vulnerable members of society. Homeless individuals are at risk to have a mental illness, sexually-transmitted diseases, injuries, and substance abuse (Daniels, 2004, p. 100). Health care services are essential to these vulnerable groups but due to limited access to health care because of lack of health insurance coverage and lack of transportation, homeless people are deprived of appropriate health care services.

Experience with Vulnerable Groups

During the clinical experience, I had encountered one of the different barriers associated with an immigrant’s access to quality health care, which is the language barrier. I cared for an Asian American who cannot speak English. Her daughter acted as an interpreter whenever I will do nursing care and explain the procedures. This is to respect the patient’s right to information and self-determination. One night, this immigrant had a fever and her daughter was not around to interpret and explain to the patient about needed nursing actions. As a nurse, I gave her a tepid sponge bath to lower body temperature and reported it to the nurse-in-charge for the attending physician to give antipyretic medications. However, I was scolded by the family members the day after for not respecting their mother. I learned that as part of their culture, it was rude to touch the head of Asian Americans without permission. I apologized for delivering culturally-incompetent care and for not considering the language barrier first before delivering nursing care to avoid misunderstandings.

Dealing with vulnerable populations especially immigrants requires awareness of the existing culture. Overcoming the language barrier is not easy and trained professionals in the institution are needed to deliver appropriate care according to identified client needs.