Perhaps it was my parents’ socialist upbringing in Yugoslavia or my mother’s struggles with her autoimmune disorders that helped foster my interest in health inequities. Although I now find the relationship between health care and justice fascinating, my initial academic encounters with health care were not anchored in sociological, political, or legal frameworks.
Drawn to human physiology and anatomy, I excelled in the biological sciences throughout secondary school. I enrolled in university intent on majoring in molecular biology and becoming a clinician-scientist. As fate would have it, I was immersed in an education that emphasized the strengths of both the arts and the sciences; I learned how to balance my coursework in genetics and microbiology with literature and social anthropology. My interest in biology did not wane during this adjustment period, but I found the classes across a wide array of disciplines like women’s studies and modern history equally as inspiring. My essentialist understanding of disease etiology became complicated; I had spent so long looking through the narrow lens of the microscope that I neglected macroscopic influences on health care.
The content of my papers varied from topics such as Hirschprung’s Disease and the Red Queen Hypothesis to the discrimination of Roma women in Eastern European medical institutions and the problematic sociocultural norms associated with cosmetic surgery. Upon reflection, I realized that I could combine my
However, as time went on, several problems arose which had to do with the principle of justice in healthcare. In America, it is the accepted norm that it is unjust to treat one person better or worse than another person, in similar circumstances (Tong, 2007, p.29). In an attempt
In Sridhar Venkatapuram’s (2010) article Global Justice and the Social Determinants of Health, the main argument presented is of the Commission on the Social Determinants of Health (CSDH) 2008 final report and examines the lack of general support the findings have received. The main concept of this analysis appears to mirror that of the CSDH’s report on “whether science, linked with ethics, can motivate global action, and whether the public scrutiny and deliberation…can meaningfully be brought together in global health policy” (Venkatapuram, 2010, p. 120). The premise behind this concept is that by bringing professionals together to address the strengths and weakness of the model, the theory behind social determinants of health will gain momentum.
As the society acknowledges the importance of human rights and dignity, the issues among the poverty, homeless, violence victims are now more considered. Although there are difference in roles between nurses from acute care, intensive care, and emergency settings nurses, community nurses engage those issues to become advocates for social justice. Health care nurses collaborate to identify strategies for incorporating social justice aims into their work environment (Johnstone, 2011). As a public nurses, there has been many researches to address vulnerability, diversity, health literacy, health care access, health care disparities and issues of particular populations such as ethnic and racial minority health, gay and lesbian health and the health of children, women and older adults (Johnstone, 2011). For example, affordable health care 2010 was implied for equitable delivery of healthcare for all individuals in United States. Although there are pro and cons on success of the system, it was aimed to promote the justice of human need to have least of health care when necessary. Among with the issues of inequality and unfairness of worldwide insurance system, this act was to provide fair access to health care. To achieve the aims of a just, accessible, affordable health care system for all, public health nurses make an effort to engage the professional advocacy.
I first became exposed to a hospital setting during my early ages of childhood due to my constant issues with my immune system. To my parents, I was commonly referred to as the sick child in the family since I would constantly catch even the simplest of illnesses such as fevers, colds, flus, running nose, severe coughs and much more. The time period, in which I would visit the doctor’s office, lead me to become more accustomed overtime to the environment and eventually grow a passion for what is being done.
A physician must be well rounded in a variety of fields to provide effective care. First, an interest in learning scientific knowledge must be accompanied by the ability to translate that knowledge into methods of treatment. Because science is constantly changing and improving, a physician should be continuously expanding their scientific learning within and outside of their respective fields. Most of the coursework that I have taken reflects my interest in the intersection between biomedical science and its applications through an anthropological lens. For example, I have performed public
It is important to remember that no two human beings are the same, we are all individuals with their own unique set of characteristics, personalities, interests, life experiences and abilities. People who will need care often grouped together because of the needs they have in common.
There will always be a debate over what is considered fair healthcare in America. As long as there is no national healthcare system that is equal for everyone, there will be arguments over whether it is a right or a privilege. Research will show that healthcare is a basic right for every human being in the world, and that by having a national healthcare system in America, this right can be
The U.S. healthcare system is remarkably complex, and even healthcare workers struggle to understand it. The U.S. population gets health coverage by government programs, employers, and private insurance. Notably, because of the complexity and fragmentation of the health care system, there is a percentage of the population that remains uninsured. According to CNN Money, the uninsured rate in the U.S. dropped from 18.2% in 2010 to 10.3% in 2016, this drop was under Affordable Care Act(ACA) (). The goal of the ACA was not to give health coverage to all the uninsured population, rather it was to try to decrease the percentage of the population that remained uninsured(). There is a lot of inequality in the distribution of health among the U.S. population
In assessing the current pitfalls of society that have resulted in an unjust health care system, income and medical knowledge are at the forefront. In an attempt to hypothesize a just system for health care, fair income and equal state-of-the-art medical knowledge seem
Healthcare Disparities within the United States healthcare system has been and still is an issue that impacts the medical treatment of individuals because of their race and ethnic backgrounds. Minorities groups, suffer because of this and are at higher risks for mortality because of unequal treatment in healthcare. Within these disparity, those who find themselves unable to maximize the English language, are among the population who receive less desirable treatment in the U.S. healthcare system. Regardless of race, ethnicity, or even socioeconomic background all Americans deserve to receive the quality medical treatment.
As nurses we all bring our own values and beliefs to the job whether or not we intend to, it happens. I place large amounts of value on family and friends. These are the people you can call on for support. I know that without the support of my mom helping me with my kids and my house work there is no way I could be in the nursing program. Family is often a place when as children we learn and develop our values and beliefs. Giving this deeper thought I can see how this is true for myself. When working with B I would often think about what it would be like to be raised in an unstable environment by a mother who struggles with mental health and addictions. B was often placed in respite foster homes. I found myself thinking about what it would be like to sit down to meal with a strange family how awkward would he have felt. Building on this making connections with people is very important to me. Once I was able to build a connection with B I was able to work with him in a more cohesive way. Making that convection helps to build trust, positive relationships are built on trust. Being a good listener is a skill that I value as a nurse. Not only do I value being a good listener but I also value being heard. I value you a person 's ability to do what they say they are going to do. If you tell a patient that you will return to check in with them in 30 minutes than you need to be sure that you keep your word. When working with clients it is import to me to build on
Healthcare in the United States! Now that is a question for the ages. Is Healthcare a right or a privilege? Ask 10 people and you will get 10 different answers. Some say yes some say no, however almost all have caveats to their answers. This is where the dilemma starts.
My calling to nursing started when my father got diagnosed with prostate cancer in 2015. I watched him suffering through radiation and chemotherapy, but what got him through those hard times was the help of some great loving and caring nurses. As I became more involved in taking care of him, my passion for nursing had greatly increased. Now, for nine years, I have maintained a commitment to caring for others in the field of Nursing. Being a registered nurse (RN), I have taken care of one patient at a time, which I have been involved in the amelioration of lives, and have only been left wanting to give and do more. Pursuing a master of science in nursing (MSN) is more than just a logical or natural progression for my career. It is a life choice, one that is backed by highly refined clinical judgments and in-depth exposure to an array of set-ups, and levels of care. In this personal statement, I will deeper highlight an explanation of my career goals, the reasons for my choice of Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) specialization, and lastly the reason for pursuing an advanced degree in nursing.
The United States is world renowned for having the best health care if not the most accessible. Citizens have at their disposal a plethora of hospitals, physicians, and therapists to improve their well-being. Statistical data was taken back in 2010 under the Central Texas Region and studied health care coverage and income in regards to the community. The data displayed in the surveys heavily suggest that income/ health in general have a high correlation. The issue that arose with the given data imply that those who are on the lower end of the income spectrum subsequently have no health care coverage and poorer health than those with higher income. In any case with high correlation there are a number of factors influencing the statistical evidence, and in this case sociological barriers are present in regards of inequality and health care.
Health justice is a broad term. For me it means that everyone is able to receive health care despite where they are, what their background is, and how much money they have. Although this is the case, the current world health system isn’t like this. Health care is not as accessible as it should be. Many poorer, developing countries are still facing shortages of health care clinics in their area. The people in the world who do have health care, on the other hand, are the ones who are well off and have more money. Thankfully, due to the efforts of many different individuals and organizations, the healthcare system is slowly shifting over to where we want it to be. Not saying that it is perfect, we still have a long ways to go before we are able to create total health justice, but we are on our way for a world with health care that everyone is able to access and get the proper care they deserve.