Evidence-Based Approach to Global Health Promotion - Essay Example

Word count = 3142 College Table of Contents Task 3 Atkins and Murphy article 3 Task 2 5 Evidence based approach to global health promotion 5 Task 3 6 Singapore health 6 Task 4 8 School-based health promotion 8 Task 5 9 Nurses role in smoking cessation 9 Findings 10 Task 6 summary 11 Experience on the undertaking the task 11 Task 7 12 Priorities in work place health and health promotion 12 Task 8 14 Task 9 16 Reflection on the module content 16 Bibliography 17 Task 1 Atkins and Murphy article Reflective practice is the conscious and deliberate process of thinking about the issue and interpreting it, with the driving force being used to learn from the experience. It is regarded as an intentional process that does not happen without a persons consent concerned because the individual wants to respond to a particular situation or rather address a specific purpose. The resultant effect is a new perception or a new appreciation of issues at hand. This is because a reflection is triggered by an experience or it could want to expound on the knowledge base about an issue of concern. Reflection can be done at an individual level or even in a group scenario (Atkins & Murphy, 1995:2). Reflection is undergoes three stages. The first is when an individual comes to the realization that they are harboring uncomfortable feelings and thoughts on a particular situation. It stems from the realization that the knowledge one was applying in given situation is not sufficient enough to give a concrete explanation to what could have been happening then. This feeling is often characterized by dissatisfaction or uncertainty. The second stage is a critical analysis of the prevailing situation and encompasses an analysis of both feelings and the existing body of knowledge. The most important factor is to avoid feelings that could obstruct rational judgment. The final stage in reflective practice is development of a whole new perspective on the issue of focus. This could be seen in developing better clarification, a new perceptive towards the same issue and of course a new way of thinking about something (Atkins & Murphy, 1995:4). Reflection on action is an afterthought of an event while reflection in action happens while one is in the process of engaging in an activity. With reflection on action, analysis and interpretation is done afterwards to uncover the knowledge used and explain the feelings associated with that particular activity. The practitioner is driven by the urge to speculate on other possible ways of handling the same situation or what other knowledge could have been useful given the same circumstances. Reflection in action is when the practitioner recognizes the situation at hand while in the process of doing the activity and thinks about it while in the process (Atkins & Murphy, 1995:5). Gibb’s model of reflection emphasizes the fact that reflection does not have to an individual undertaking. To better take advantage of the reflective process, one should seek for a different body of opinion so as to reinforce or validate their opinions after the reflection exercise. Besides, this model takes into account the fact that reflection is not just a onetime event, but the process so one has to consider previous actions or decisions by taking note of them. Atkins and murphy model, on the other hand, treats reflective practice as a onetime event because it does not consider historical accounts. The questions to be answered are also more individual based (Atkins & Murphy, 1995:6).   Task 2 Evidence based approach to global health promotion The question on whether or not aid has been of significant help is an issue of great concern. Based on the statistics, a lot has been spent and is still being spent on aid but the returns are not a reflection of what is expected given the huge expenditure. For instance, the infant mortality rate is so high for the extent it can be likened to the earthquake in Haiti that many people. Currently, 25000 children die of entirely preventable diseases even despite the huge donations to have this figure lessened. This poses a big question as to whether we are doing little given the tactics that are currently employed or should more be given to do the same thing in the same way. The worst thing is that we cannot substantiate the extent of help that we could do with or without an aid (Ravallion, 2012:103). Despite these facts, some success has been made in three important areas that could answer to the main question, but not wholly. One such area is in immunization. Initially, only 1% of children would be immunized in Diapur district, Rajashan. After the introduction of giving a kilo of lentils for each visit of immunization, people got some reason to act rather than intend. Eventually, the percentage managed to rise to 38%. Another area is in the prevention of malaria. Despite the economic hiccups of donating free bed nets to prevent the spread of malaria, subsidizing the costs associated with getting one at least to some extent made people to get used to nets rather than handouts. Finally, deworming has proven a success in education sector in sense that it is the cheapest way of getting an extra year of education for just $300 instead of $10000 per child (Ravallion, 2012:107). The whole talk got me thinking of whether we have been doing the right thing always or the wrong. This is because the associated output does not match the input made in addressing the situation at hand. In as much as progress is being made, it is important to consider of what is achieved (Ravallion, 2012:109). The most surprising thing is that the little successes should be used as a pointer to what has been achieved so far. They could be very minute, but they contribute immensely to the whole project. For instance, deworming may not really be an issue that can be worth attention grabbing. However, it still holds a central position in alleviating the poverty levels. Based on this talk I think it is about time people started engaging in some form of reflection on practice.   Task 3 Singapore health Despite being a developed county is still grappling with health issues that are weighing down on its economy. Singaporeans are regarded as health but with high life expectancy and low mortality rates. The resultant effect is an ageing population that from chronic health diseases. Of great concern to this nation currently is the issue of obesity and an ageing population (Woodman, 2009:123). Currently, according to HPB statistics,11% of adults aged between 18-69 years in 2010 had obesity as compared to 7% of the same age group in 2004.This translates to an increase in the obesity rate by 1% annually. Further, based on the same report release on 15 March 14, 2014 1.7 million of Singaporeans with a body mass index of twenty three or greater are vulnerable to developing obesity related diseases and heart diseases. As a matter of fact, therefore, obesity is a major factor to chronic illnesses such as diabetes, heart diseases and stroke which affect the quality of life and eventually, leads to significant morbidity and mortality rates (Woodman, 2009:124). Another health issue that Singapore faces is the ageing population that results from low infant mortality rates whose health is deteriorating on a daily basis. Approximately two in five Singaporeans aged above twenty years suffer from at least one chronic disease which includes high cholesterol levels, high blood pressure, and diabetes. In the future, this is expected to scale up the nation’s overall health expenditure by an additional 1% each year until 2018.The declining health status of a majority of the aged could be attributed to three controllable behaviors that result to four chronic lifestyle diseases. The behaviors include poor nutrition, physical inactivity and smoking while on the other hand lifestyle diseases entail cancer, diabetes, lung cancer and cardiovascular disease. Myopia is another health issue that affects Singaporean children. In the year 2010, approximately 25% of children aged between 6-7 years and 65% of those aged between 11-12 years had myopia. This puts it as the world’s record leader in terms of countries with children suffering from myopia (Woodman, 2009:129). This is a situation that has called for myopia prevention activities to reach out to public and schools to increase awareness among children, parents and teachers on the importance of good eye care. Task 4 School-based health promotion Schools play an important role in influencing the dietary behaviors of children. This is based on a number of reasons; one is because schools can reach a large number of children continuously during the crucial phases of forming their dietary habits. Secondly, it is the responsibility of schools to ensure that they encourage healthy eating through the curriculum besides having personnel that are skilled in offering proper and adequate health care. According to Nathan et al, the social environment is also conducive for children to learn from each other and observe what is good for their own health. Finally, statistical facts show that multi strategic school based vegetable and fruit based programs can substantially improve on the children’s health status. In order to have a deeper perspective concerning the prevalence and predictors the barriers to adopting this food programs, it is vital to factor in the principal’s attitudes and reported barriers to implementation of these programs. Based on a study on Australian schools, it is should be concluded that further initiatives are required to maximize on the adoption of these programs if at all the children are expected to benefit more. Additionally, parent communication and teacher training are the only implementation strategies that are independently associated with the recommended fruit and vegetable adoption programs. Successful adoption of this programs is not just a social issue, but rather it also impacts on the economic status of the institution and the parents, as well. To support such claims, the study on the Australian schools does not provide enough evidence by involving relevant stakeholders. First of all, random selection ensures that all the eligible participants have an equal chance of selection to participate in the study. Stratification of the schools serves to ensure that all the relevant information to the study is picked. The use of both and quantitative and qualitative measures caters for attitudinal quantification. By giving the percentage and numerical representation Task 5 Nurses role in smoking cessation The study is a report of the exploring nurse’s provision of opportunistic health education on smoking for hospital patients. It was conducted by REW and was conducted at different times in 2000 though the publication date has not been made clear. It could have been between 2000 and 2002 since Whitehead is a study that came afterward. The aim of the study was to research hospital nurses’ health education practices and particularly their provision of health education on smoking (Whyte, Watson & Mcintosh, 2006:568). Nurse participants were selected through purposive sampling in three general hospitals in Scotland using inclusion criteria. During data collection process, each nurse used a radio microphone from which all the conversations with the patient would be recorded. Oral interactions would be transmitted to a receiver and recorded on a video that allowed for continuous recording. Individual ‘recall’ interviews were conducted with nurses and patients midway through and at the end of the nurses’ shifts to identify the importance afforded to the topic. An additional, semi-structured interview was also conducted with each nurse at the end of a shift and included questions that were indicative of the key elements of health education (Whyte, Watson & Mcintosh, 2006:569). Non-verbal data were collected through a self-completed patient lifestyle questionnaire, non-participant observation of nurse–patient interactions and examination of patients’ nursing documentation for a record of smoking status and/ or the provision of information on smoking. Interviews with patients were conducted at their bedsides and those with nurses in a room within the ward vicinity that was familiar to them and where the possibility of disturbance was minimized. All interviews were recorded using an audio- cassette recorder (Whyte, Watson & Mcintosh, 2006:570). Findings A patient’s direct question or statement may initiate a teachable moment and it may also be initiated by verbal cues in a patient’s conversation. Thus, indicating the need for information. Similarly, the nurse may initiate a teachable moment. Despite the patients interactions, the nurses still lacked or if at all they had knowledge concerning health education it was too scanty that they could not really apply it for the good of the patients. What the study has basically done is to further expound on the existing body of knowledge using the same approach that has previously been used in other studies. The major limitation comes in when it does not really recommend on what strategies that can be used to advance the nurses’ knowledge on health education (Whyte, Watson & Mcintosh, 2006:576). The medical field is very practical in its procedures and as such any initiative intended to make patients feel better should be done in consideration of the patients’ attitude towards the same. The initial body of knowledge underestimated the fact that health education should be integrated with nursing practice rather than being treated as some sort of ‘common sense’ procedures.   Task 6 summary Experience on the undertaking the task The document of is so extensive and has a lot of questions. This makes it too attention demanding to an extent one would opt for a break before they can proceed with the questions, like I did. However, the language is very simple and saves the reader time spent trying to read between the lines and also some of the questions required further information besides a ‘yes’ or ‘no; answer. The standards in the ward are somewhat wanting but not entirely in some specific areas. For instance, customized care should be available to patients in order make informed decisions about their health because they tend to be reluctant in getting to know their health status. They should be aware that it is important to know their health and get to know why they are on particular medication. However, it is important to note that the performance of a medical institution is directly dependent on every sector of the institution, however, small it could. If one sector fails then it affects the overall performance of the institution. The parameter for could be evaluating the patient satisfaction with the hospital services. This will help the management improve on its tactics and even better get new ideas on how to run the institution better.   Task 7 Priorities in work place health and health promotion A good healthy working environment is not just important to the patients but it also creates a good working environment for the employees. As a matter of fact therefore, the key stake holders in health promotion in the work place are the employers and the industry sectors must work hard to make sure this is in place. The workplace is very topical because it acts as the meeting point in which people meet daily and for longer periods. Through the work place, information can be passed very fast and within a short time it is capable of reaching a wider audience, for instance the families of those concerned. Besides, many adults spend most of their time at a workplace and so getting to pass information at any time of the day make it convenient. This is one place in which people will share their opinions based on the current trends in the society. The impact of an ageing workforce is of critical business risk and not just as a HR concern. This impact comes with strategic financial compliance and operational ramifications. This calls for companies to have a clear understanding of their employee demographics, their interests and needs and the overall HR strategy and how it can align these facts with their business strategy. An ageing workforce will result in adoption of plan and policies changes designed to benefit and retain workforce members who are experienced. The underlying fact is that this may seem to be the right move, but such changes may not be compliant with benefits pension requirements. It may lead to a negative effect on the qualified tax status of a retirement plan or exposure to plan fiduciaries. Another point is the fact that some key employee pay programs work nearly at odds with the big concern about retiree brain drain. For instance, some programs reward individuals when they reach age to retire with automatic vesting or more liberal stock option exercise provisions. This was important for baby boomers.   Task 8 Project 1 CSS Project 2 TOUCH Project 3 Strategy to stop TB Project 4 Strategy on Diet, Physical Activity and Health The scope of this project Is it local, regional, national, or international? local regional international international The target of this project Is it for individuals, groups, communities or populations individuals Groups and populations populations The main focus of the project Is it physical, mental, intellectual, emotional, social, or societal in focus? physical Societal in focus Societal physical The need for the project Established by individuals, community, voluntary organization, statutory organization or government? Government Established by individuals Statutory organization Statutory organization Method(s) used in the project to enable health improvement? 1:1 input, leaflet, advice or education, group work, community action, TV/radio messages or laws/policies? TV/radio messages Group work Laws and policies Laws and policies Task 9 Reflection on the module content The entire process of reflection has not just been a learning experience but an eye opener into the realities of health practice and by extension real life situation. To begin with, reflection is a concept that should be applied to all relevant fields to which individuals or even groups seek to make some change or even get to understand their current situation better. Working on the module has posed a big challenge in the sense that I had to spend long hours working on screen which of course is very tiring. The flipside to this is the fact that working online allows me to work from anywhere, anytime provided I meet the deadline. It also came with a lot of responsibilities like being constantly online so that I could be kept abreast of events and trends in the medical field. In the process I had to read extensively which is something I really enjoy. At the beginning of the module my approach to the whole assignment was that it was just like some other classwork that had to be completed on time. However it turned out to be some learning experience that made me realize each and every opportunity presents itself as some learning experience. Most importantly, reflection in action or reflection on action is an endeavor that should be used for problem analysis because after all it is the genesis of innovation. Bibliography 1. ATKINS S, & MURPHY K. (1995). Reflective practice. Nursing Standard (Royal College of Nursing (Great Britain) : 1987). 9, 2-8. 2. Cervical Screen Singapore 2014, accessed 2 April 2014, 3. HASELTINE, W. A. (2013). Affordable Excellence The Singapore Health System. Washington, Brookings Institution Press with the National University of Singapore Press. http://msvu.eblib.com/patron/FullRecord.aspx?p=1172722. 4. 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