Public Health - Research Paper Example

DRAFT Public Health mainly involves prevention. In this course therefore, I have learnt how to prevent disease and promote good health within communities and countries. In this field, research is of core importance, as well as policy, as these help to understand and explore different health issues in different communities. Nonetheless, public health is advantageous to countries, as this has a positive influence on their economy. When the community is healthy, and has undertaken preventive measures to diseases, the country saves considerable amount of money, as only a few part of the population are likely to fall sick. Public health also alleviates human suffering, and is practiced by a variety of professionals in the field. As a field of study, I have gained vast knowledge on public health, including all the aspects of public health, and policy and practice. Therefore, this has prepared me to undertake practical tasks in the field, where I will perform effectively, considering the amount and quality of knowledge I have gathered in this course. Through learning this course, I have realized that there are many challenges that face public health today. Therefore, as a professional and leader in this field, I have to contribute to the development of solutions to the challenges. Therefore, learning this course has increased my understanding of the complex challenges, which professionals in the field of public health are faced with. Times have changed, and so have the challenges in Public Health. These are evolving, and becoming more complex. Three major factors are responsible for the changing the nature of health threats today. These include demographic transition, which occur because of urbanization and ageing, epidemiological transitions, and compromised physiology. In addition, financial insufficiencies have hindered the effective implementation of most public health initiatives. Furthermore, it is challenging for public health practitioners to achieve the desired influence in society, since the main ethos of public health; prevention, is undervalued in society, basing on its invisible benefits. Communication is another major challenge in public health, as the field is highly involved in the education of the public. Finally, because of globalization, public health professionals are expected to adopt a global thinking by local action (Pomerleau & McKee, 2005). Therefore, the aspect of intercultural communication is core to public health, and professionals in this field. Like other any workplace, the field of public health also faces considerable issues at the workplace. These vary in nature, and might involve the company itself or its employees. Therefore, as a leader, it is important to develop strategies that can help in addressing the emerging complex issues. There are various strategies, which managers at the workplace can employ to address workplace issues. The most important strategy is for managers to develop an open-door policy for employees. In this case, employees will consider the manager approachable, thus will feel free to report any pressing issue they experience. Secondly, it is important for a manager to address problems or issues immediately they occur, instead of leaving them unaddressed. Furthermore, fairness at the workplace is of great importance. The culture of fairness helps to prevent major problems, which would have occurred at the workplace. Above all, communication is key, therefore, managers should foster effective communication with employees, as this helps to cut down on difficult situations. In order to increase efficiency at the workplace, as a manager, I must push for the adoption of effective information technology. Today, the technology is highly advanced, and has increased efficiency and performance of tasks. Therefore, present public health managers have a role of ensuring that new technology is adopted at the workplace. According to Curioso (n.d), new technologies and information systems can help public health in terms of prevention, surveillance, and management of public health data. This might therefore, help to solve most of the problems at the workplace, which emanate from performance. Analyzing complex issues and suggesting their solutions has helped to prepare me for the real-world experience as a leader in the field of public health. First, this has helped to employ and develop the skill of critical thinking. In order to come up with an effective recommendation to a problem, one has to analyze and assess the problem. Therefore, this has enabled the development of critical thinking skills. Apart from critical thinking, this exercise has also developed my problem-solving skills, since this involves developing possible solutions to a problem. Collaborating with colleagues has also helped me to interact with diverse individuals, therefore, making easier for me to understand major concepts easily, as different individuals have varying perceptions. Development of critical thinking is of great importance to my future practice. This, I will employ in making important decisions, or contributing to core debates in the field of public health. For instance, a major debate in the field of public health concerns the role of alternative therapy (Silenzio, 2002). There are varying opinions on the role of alternative therapy. According to Trachtenberg (2002), many consumers choose alternative therapy, yet it does not adhere to the guidelines in the practice and technology of medical care. Therefore, this presents the public health community with a challenge, which it must address. Nonetheless, critical thinking is core to contributing to the redress of this and other challenges in public health. By learning this course, I have developed major awareness on the requirements of effective management in public health. Therefore, this has increased my awareness of the characteristics and skills of a competent manager in the field of public health. Through self-reflections, I have identified my strengths and weaknesses, as far as management, leadership, and critical thinking is concerned. Therefore, I am in a position to work on my weaknesses and improve my strengths. For instance, through self-evaluation, I have identified considerable weaknesses with regard to technical skills. For this reason, I am motivated to work towards improving my technical skills, in order to become an effective manager. A good manager must possess human skills. I realize that I am quite effective at working with people. Group work, discussions, and interaction with people of diverse backgrounds at different levels have enhanced my intercultural communication and human skills. Therefore, as a manager in future, this will help me work with people effectively. According to Pomerleau & McKee (2005), globalization has resulted in multicultural workplaces; therefore, only managers who demonstrate human skills will be capable of embracing the cultural differences of employees. References Curioso, W. (n.d). New Technologies and Public Health in Developing Countries: The Cell PREVEN Project. Retrieved from http://faculty.washington.edu/wcurioso/libro_cell.htm  Exworthy, M., Peckham, S., Powell, M. & Hann, A. (2011). Shaping Health Policy:  Case Study Methods and Analysis. London: The Policy Press. Klazinga, N. Stronks, K., Delnoij, D., & Verhoff, A. (2001). Indicators without a cause. Reflections on the development and use of indicators in health care from a public health perspective. International Journal for Quality in Health care. 13(6): 433-438. Pomerleau, J. & McKee, M. (2005). Issues in Public Health. New York: McGraw-Hill International. Silenzio, V. M. B. (2002). What is the role of complementary and alternative medicine in public health? American Journal of Public Health, 92(10), 1562-4. Retrieved from http://search.proquest.com/docview/215104094?accountid=45049 Trachtenberg, D. (2002). Alternative therapies and public health: Crisis or opportunity? American Journal of Public Health, 92(10), 1566-7. Retrieved from http://search.proquest.com/docview/215103898?accountid=45049 Read More