Patient 's Wishes Verses Family

Many people have many different definitions of a family. Some include family as the people they live with, some include their entire extended family, and some include friends, neighbors, coaches, and teachers. According to the Vanier Institute (2013), a family is “a combination of two or more persons who are bound together over time by ties of mutual consent, birth, and/or adoption” (para. 2). Whichever way you look at it, families often play a major role in life. It only makes sense that when a person begins to go through a drastic change in life such as illness, the family will be involved. This is why it is important that nurses learn how to provide suitable client and family centered care. They can do this by following the four

Regarding the family unit, Friedman, Bowden and Jones (2003) states “This basic unit so strongly influences the development of an individual that it may determine the success or failure of that person’s life.” Due to the this influence it is vital to assess the family during the process of caring for a patient. Their environment, lifestyle and support system all have a tremendous effect on the healing process either good or bad. In this essay, the Hillard family from the movie Mrs. Doubtfire (1993) will be analyzed.

Williams' work contains constant narratives of her own personal struggle against breast cancer and its effects on those dear to her, enveloping readers emotionally while, through abrupt statements, simultaneously redirecting them towards future solutions. Her account commences immediately with a declaration of the author's horrific family history: "I belong to a Clan of One-breasted

The findings of this survey showed that 73.6% agreed with the use of traditional medicines for health maintenance, 79.2% agreed for benign illness, such as colds or sprained ankles, and 90.3% agreed for palliative care (Zubek, 1994, p. 1926). Where they disagreed the most was with the use of traditional healing in the intensive care units, only 16.9% agreed with the use of this treatment for serious illness, such as cardiac or respiratory compromise, whether in the hospital (21.2% agreed) or as outpatients (26.4% agreed). Nearly half (48.6%) agreed with using traditional medicines for chronic illnesses, such as non-insulin dependent diabetes or Parkinson's disease (Zubek, 1994, p. 1926). One instance where physicians were unwilling to allow their patients to use Native medicine was while the patient is in the hospital, because the physician could be held legally responsible for any treatment administered while admitted under their care. There is also the problem of differentiating between legitimate Native healing practitioners and those who would take advantage of anyone not aware of the proper rituals and techniques that need to be performed (Zubek, 1994, p. 1929). This could be overcome by having a formalized licensing organization such as is used by Western practitioners (i.e. American Society of Clinical Pathology [ASCP]). That poses another problem though, as to whether traditionalists would be willing to have such an organization.

There are several cultural and traditional issues that can arise because Ella and her huband John have totally different ideas regarding treatment. “Culture is also dynamic and adaptive. It attempts to maximize the potential for group success in the face of environmental challenges, and there remains today a tension in cultural groups between maintaining shared values and norms and adjusting to forces for change both within and outs:” (Kreuter & McClure, 2004). Ella is in to alternative remedies and her husband is for traditional methods of treatment. This is a conflict of interest and being that Ella is weak she may leave decision making up to her family which will probably go against the wishes she originally set for herself. “Complementary and alternative medicine (CAM), includes a wide range of approaches like herbal medicine, traditional therapies, mind-body intervention etc., and has gained its popularity worldwide in recent years. “a group of diverse medical and health care systems, practices, and products that are not generally considered part of Conventional Medicine ” (Jaiswal et. al, 2015).

Throughout the years there have been two traditions within the practice of medicine. One is the 'art of healing ' which involves its own specialised brand of training. The art of healing is dependent on the prescriber 's foreknowledge and the clients’ viewpoint of the prosperous results. The 'Science of healing ' is based on scientific and technological ideas. This tradition results in a lower liability for practitioners regarding the showing of an original approach to medicine, however the results of this method are more calculable (Kayne 2002). It is believed that the tradition of the ‘art of healing’ is increasing in popularity. The World Health Organisation states ' 'that the terms ' 'complementary medicine ' ' or ' 'alternative medicine’ ' are used interchangeably with traditional medicine in some countries. They refer to a broad set of health care practices that are not part of that country 's own tradition and are not integrated into the dominant health care system” (World Health Organization 2000). This type of treatment, is commonly known as ‘Complementary and alternative medicine’ (CAM). The word complementary derives from the meaning ‘together with’ established practices and the word alternative refers to ‘in place’ of established practices. Some patients choose to participate in complementary therapies along with the medication prescribed by their general practitioner whilst others prefer complementary therapies as opposed to the medications

Family as context is the first approach that focuses on the patient while the family is in background. The family

The Lawler family has a history with a specific type of cancer, Breast cancer. When Deb was in high school, she watched her mother fight through breast cancer and Deb’s grandmother died from breast cancer before she was born. Her uncle Bob was just diagnosed with breast cancer before his 50th birthday, and her cousin Katherine was diagnosed with the cancer when she was 33. Now that Deb is 33 years old, she has been wanting to know her chances of being diagnosed. When Deb had first brought up the idea about getting tested, her family was split on advice for her. Deb’s father encouraged her and her siblings to be tested, but her brother John really did not know how to feel about the testing, her sister was undecided about how she felt, but thought that her results could have benefits for her children in the future. Her mother was silent when the topic came up in conversation, and Deb’s cousin Lynn, refused to even discuss the subject. Deb’s Aunt Sue, was vocal about her opinion and was very

In case study V, Adam of the Amish community has suffered a fracture to his hip resulting in the need for surgery. We will assess the challenges the nurse is faced with in assisting Adam and his wife Sara make a healthcare choice. They have voiced concerns about the financial expenses as they have no medical insurance. They have also inquired about the possibility of using a folk healer. This nurse will need to assess her own understanding of culturally competency nursing care to provide holistic nursing care to this couple. In this study, we will investigate options in developing a plan of care that encompasses both modern medicine and their Amish traditions.

Nursing has evolved in many ways over the years, in particular is the Florence Nightingale foundation of caring for the whole family and not just the patient. The following case study of Omid 's story: The Power of Family-Centered Care highlights the positive and negative aspects of their family’s healthcare experiences , and models of family nursing and concepts of family-centred care. By comparing the theories and models to what is currently put into practice by today’s nurses and healthcare providers a better outcome for this family is idealized.

Think back to when you were a child and you became ill. All you wanted was the protection and guidance of your mother to take care of you. If you had older siblings, maybe they were the ones that helped make you feel better. Even as we grow older, we rely on our family for support when we are not well. When a family member is ill, it is not just that one person that suffers. When an illness strikes a family member, it oftentimes includes the whole family to deal with the illness also. There are different approaches that a nurse can utilize when dealing with family nursing. Approaches include family as context, as a client, system and a component of society. In this paper, I will discuss where and how these approaches are utilized.

For my module 1 case, I am tasked to review the case of Lanesha Johnsons and answer the following questions; from a cultural perspective, is it unusual that Grandmother Marietta is the primary caregiver? Discuss the ways in which Lanesha, Grandma Marietta, and Hannah Healthcare approach this situation from totally different perspectives. How does Lanesha 's temperament affect the situation? What responsibilities do health care providers have in this situation? The case regarding Lanesha Johnson is both frustrating and eye opening, because it seems that the resolution to this case is so easy, but when you look at it through the lens of cultural barriers, the situation because much more murky. Let’s address the first barrier, Marietta as the primary caregiver.

To conclude, patient has a strong support group coming from her adoptive family and her mentor. She knows that she has three biological brothers and lives with her biological sister, but she does not have a relationship with none of them. She does not know about her adoptive or biological family’s health and wellness. However, she is aware that her mother was murdered, and her adoptive sister Cindy has disturbed back discs that put her to disability. Patient has a lengthy past medical history, starting with nerve problems and developmental delay due to the presence of cocaine in her system at birth.

Maria is very socially orientated with her family and friends. She loves to get on Facebook to share her family’s photos and family’s accomplishments. Her friends mainly consist of people she sees every Sunday and Wednesday. She calls her sisters her best friends. She speaks to her sisters, mother, and grandmother at least once a day. The women are socially connected on a deeper level than the men. All family members will be present when a relative is sick, and supportive in any way possible. At the end of the day, health care decisions are made as one by the whole family. There is no influence from any cultural organizations that keep them from receiving health care.

The role and definition of family can vary from one culture to another. Generally speaking, the culture in the United States places a lot of emphasis on individuality and personal freedom. In many cultures, the family unit has a very strict and defined hierarchy. Often the Father is seen as the head of the household and is responsible for much of the decision making. This can include decisions concerning the health care of a family member. It could also result in reluctance for the head of the family to place himself in a position of relying on others for care, a perceived position of weakness. In many cultures, the family goes beyond the nuclear family, and extends to the community, friends and neighbors. These are strongly held beliefs, and we must refrain from judging them as right or wrong based on our own culture. Rather, weneed to find ways to work within the framework of the family structure of the patient. ( Falvo, pp.186-187)