Levels of Health Care

ournal Activity 1: Levels of health care in Australia

Journal Activity 2: Health service agencies

1. Government organization

Calvary public hospital is a health facility located in Bruce. The facility is a secondary care provider strategically located to serve the people of Belconnen, North Canberra and Gungahlin. The Australian Capital Territory government has mandated Little Company of Mary Health Care to operate the hospital on its behalf. The facility is organized to offer in-home specialist palliative care services, outpatient and inpatient care services. They offer a wide range of services such as maternity care, medical imaging, rehab unit &aged care, public mental health, Aboriginal liaison services, and surgical services among others. In my opinion, the hospital is operating at its best capacity as it has qualified staff whose first priority is to offer quality care to patients. Clients can access a map with direction to the hospital through Google. When at the hospital, arrangements can then be made whether to receive inpatient, outpatient or homecare services depending on their health condition. The hospital is funded by the government of Australian Capital Territory through Little Company of Mary Healthcare.

1. Non-Government Organization

Mater hospital is a private hospital located in Sydney. It is organized to offer services to patients and levies charges for admissions and emergency services. It also accepts private health insurances to carter for partial or complete costs of services. Patients can access it at 25 Rocklands Road, north Sydney, NSW 2060 (Australian Institute of Health and Welfare, 2018). Its main services are, acute renal dialysis, Obstetric services, intensive care unit, and maternity services. Its services are usually effective and it is preferred by many patients for its comprehensive care. Its main source of funding is the money levied from clients.

Journal Activity 3: Social, political, economic impacts on health care delivery

Journal Activity 4: Contemporary health issues

For Torres Strait Islander and Aboriginals born between 2010 and 2012, the life expectancy is 69.1 years for males and 73.7 years for females. For non-indigenous, the life is expectancy is 79.7 and 83.1 for males and females respectively (O’Loughlin, et al., 2016). In 2014, the total health expenditure per capita was 96498$ (USD). Coronary heart disease is the leading cause of death in Australia currently. The main factors contributing to higher mortality rate among Torres Strait Islander and Aboriginals children are low birth weight, maternal health behaviors (alcohol, smoking and nutrition) pre-term births, low socioeconomic status, and lack of access to health services.

Types of Activities Carried Out in Health Care

Journal Activity 5: Contemporary health issues: self-guided research

Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) is a lethal virus that destroys the immune system of human beings. It is a lifelong condition with no known cure. Without management treatment, HIV continuously destroys CD4 cells leading to a serious condition called Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS) (Murrell, 2018). The maximum life expectancy when living with AIDS is approximately three years.

People living with HIV/AIDS face numerous problems ranging from social, psychological, economical and familial (Dejman, et al., 2015). Some of the major problems are Ostracism, anxiety, depression, social isolation, frustration, family conflicts, unemployment, homelessness, lack of family support, financial constraints, lack of fear to infect others, a tendency to seek revenge, and social stigma.

At the community level, HIV/AIDS lowers the overall quality of life. There is increased dependence and deterioration of living standards. The overall expenditure for health on both social support and medical care is increased by HIV/AIDS (Stone, et al., 2009). Health workers caring for HIV/AIDS patients might also get infected with the disease subsequently leading to low supply of health staff.

There are various strategies that could be implemented to manage this menace. First, the government should implement awareness and education programs. Various non-governmental organizations should also be involved in creating awareness and educating people (Lashley & Durham, 2009). The government should avail protective material such as condoms to people. People have a responsibility of taking HIV tests to know their status and take appropriate action henceforth.

Journal Activity 6: Introduction to health care and nursing

Nursing is the practice of caring for the sick. It con otherwise be defined as a profession in the medical field that is involved on caring for individuals, families and communities at large (Meleis, 2011). The main aim of nursing is to help all the aforementioned parties attain and maintain optimal health, or to recover from poor health and to improve the overall quality of life.

The following characteristics and qualities are a reflection of a good nurse (Hardy, et al., 2009).

1. A caring nature
2. Empathetic
3. Organized
4. Emotional stability
5. Adaptability
6. Mental and physical endurance
7. Quick decision maker
8. Hard working
9. Good in communicating

Journal Activity 7: Principles of wellness

The active process of being aware of, and subsequently arriving at the right choice of a healthy life endorsed with fulfillments is known as wellness. Wellness has a larger scope than just the absence of illness in an individual (Human Kinetics , 2009). Wellness have also been defined as a state of total social, mental and physical well-being.

Types of Health Care Programs

The unusual process through which the aspects of emotional, physical, intellectual or social functions and conditions of an individual are impaired or diminished when compared with the previous conditions of the person (Cousins, 2016). In many scenarios, the biological functions of an individual are altered and the normal functioning of one or several body organs also altered.

Journal Activity 8: Enrolled nurse competency standards

Competency Element 3.3

This element ensures that nurses liaises with other staff in the workplace to ensure that the rights of individuals and groups are maintained. During my nursing practice, I will constantly seek the advice of other personnel when I encounter uncertainty about what to do in relation to issues that compromise the rights of individuals or groups under my care. I will also seek advice upon realizing that the rights of patients have been compromised.

It is also this element that will help me operate within the responsibilities given to me. Such responsibilities will be aimed at ensuring that it is within my own competence level that I provide nursing care.

Lastly, it is by adhering to this standard that I will be able to incorporate groups or individuals in vital decision making processes that relates to their wellbeing. As such, no crucial decision will be arrived at without the consent of the aforementioned parties.

Journal Activity 9: Other health care professionals

Enrolled nurse – They are to take part in care planning and nursing assessments. They are to evaluate the outcomes of care after providing nursing care to patients and their families. Under the supervision of a RN, they are to coordinate groups of health care assistants. Lastly, they are to perform various nursing responsibilities (Mosser & Begun, 2013).

Registered nurse – observing and noting down patients’ behaviors, creating harmonious environment for patients and their families, analyzing symptoms to diagnose diseases, and maintaining patients’ histories and records (Mosser & Begun, 2013).

Discharge planners – promote coordination and communication between a hospital and aged care facilities and community services, planning for discharge and managing home care plans after discharge, and acting as the resource person for planning the requirements of discharge in a health care facility (Mosser & Begun, 2013).

Community nurse – Offer support to carer and patients at home, monitoring community health as well as minor conditions such as injections and dressings, arranging equipment like hoists and beds, facilitating elimination of disposable items like pads and cotton wools, and advising on handling and moving at home (Mosser & Begun, 2013).

Roles of Health Care Team Members

Social worker – helping individuals, groups and families to cope with health problems, counselling the aforementioned parties’ on various health related issues, acting as liaisons between various health institutions aiming at general community wellness, referring clients to various community resources, and addressing legal situations such as testifying for their clients (Mosser & Begun, 2013).

Chaplain – offering pastoral care to hospital employees, patients and their employees.

Dietician – assessing nutritional conditions of patients, identifying nutritional challenges and coming up with diet plans. They also offer counsel related to modifications of special diets.

Podiatrist – Treating ankle and foot problems such as ingrown toenails, arch problems, calluses and heel spurs. Also treats leg ulcers and similar conditions related to diabetes and other ailments.

Speech pathologist – works to assess, diagnose, treat and prevent social communication, speech, cognitive-communication, language and swallowing problems in adults and children.

Occupational therapist – they aid people of all ages and occupations to improve their abilities of undertaking various work and daily living tasks.

Diversional therapist – they are responsible for the development and evaluation of lifestyle and leisure programs for patients.

Physiotherapist – helps patients with physical problems emanating from disability, injury, ageing or illness.

Psychologist – Diagnosing after assessing, and subsequently treating behavioral dysfunctions and psychological problems related to or emanating from mental and physical health.

General practitioner – possesses a wide range of knowledge relating to diagnosing and treating illnesses to patients of all ages and genders. They also handle patient consultations both at home and at clinical settings (Agich, 2012).

Medical/surgical specialist – Responsible for performing pre-operative diagnosis on a patient prior to conducting an operation and subsequently availing patients with post-operative treatment and care (Agich, 2012).

Journal Activity 10: Models of reflection

Journal Activity 11: Additional models of reflection

Journal Activity 12: Application letter

(Present address)

(City, state, ZIP code)

(Date)

Chief HR Officer

XYZ medical facility

2^nd Main Street, City land, CX32177

Dear sir/ Madam

As an Orthopedic nurse with exemplary skills, I have gained interest in your advertisement for the vacant position similar to my area of expertise. The qualifications you are seeking for this particular job are well aligned with my expertise. I particularly occupied the same role at city land orthopedic institute before its closure after legal problems with the authorities.

I have a five year experience in the field and subsequently well adapted to performing patient evaluations, pre and post-operative treatments and care. I therefore hold strong beliefs that I am the right person to fill the vacant position in your organization.

Thank you for your consideration and time,

References

Agich, G., 2012. Responsibility in Health Care. illustrated ed. s.l.:Springer Science & Business Media.

Australian Institute of Health and Welfare, 2018. Mater Hospital Sydney. [Online]
Available at: https://www.myhospitals.gov.au/hospital/015790H/mater-hospital-sydney

Cousins, N., 2016. Anatomy of an Illness as Perceived by the Patient: Reflections on Healing and Regeneration. s.l.:Open Road Media.

Dejman, M. et al., 2015. Psychological, Social, and Familial Problems of People Living with HIV/AIDS in Iran: A Qualitative Study. International Journal of Preventive Medicine, 23 Dec.

Gholipour & Rahmatollah, 2016. Social, Economic, and Political Perspectives on Public Health Policy-Making. s.l.:IGI Global.

Hardy, S., Titchen, A., McCormack, B. & Manley, K., 2009. Revealing Nursing Expertise Through Practitioner Inquiry. s.l.:John Wiley & Sons.

Human Kinetics , 2009. Health and Wellness for Life. s.l.:Human Kinetics.

Kronenfeld, J. J., 2009. Social Sources of Disparities in Health and Health Care and Linkages to Policy, Population Concerns and Providers of Care. s.l.:Emerald Group Publishing.

Lashley, F. R. & Durham, J. D., 2009. The Person with HIV/AIDS: Nursing Perspectives, Fourth Edition. 4, illustrated ed. s.l.:Springer Publishing Company.

Meleis, A. I., 2011. Theoretical Nursing: Development and Progress. s.l.:Lippincott Williams & Wilkins.

Mosser, G. & Begun, J. W., 2013. Understanding Teamwork in Health Care. s.l.:McGraw Hill Professional.

Murrell, D., 2018. A Comprehensive Guide to HIV and AIDS. Healthline, 28 March.

O’Loughlin, K., Browning, C. & Kendig, H., 2016. Ageing in Australia: Challenges and Opportunities. illustrated ed. s.l.:Springer.

Stone, V., Ojikutu, B., Rawlings, K. & Smith, K. Y., 2009. HIV/AIDS in U.S. Communities of Color. illustrated ed. s.l.:Springer Science & Business Media.

World Health Organization, 2013. The Economics of Social Determinants of Health and Health Inequalities: A Resource Book. s.l.:World Health Organization.