...Vulnerable Populations in Current Events Paper Nursing 440- Health Assessment and Promotion for Vulnerable Population July 21, 2014 Deanna Radford Vulnerable Populations in Current Events Paper According to De Chesnay and Anderson (2012), there has been an increased recognition of not only identifying and understanding vulnerability but in gaining the skills needed to help these populations. Furthermore, De Chesnay and Anderson (2012) states that there is a call to go beyond just helping the vulnerable, empowering them in an effort to provide more sustainable outcomes. A discussion was made recent periodical on a vulnerable population. The vulnerable population is defined, and barriers from obtaining needed services are discussed. The author describes experiences with vulnerable populations in her own life. Vulnerable Population Recent periodical discussing a vulnerable population The manuscript by Sanders, Schneiderman, Loken, Lankenau, and Bloom (2009) identifies gang youth as a vulnerable population. Sanders et al. (2009) discusses risk factors of being in a gang, examples of which are deprived socioeconomic backgrounds, living in communities with a long history of drug sales, crime, and gang activity. This gang youth are considered vulnerable as are 60 times more likely to be killed than the rest of the population. Sanders et al. (2009) considers gang youth to be a vulnerable population “because of their relatively poor social and economic...
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...is the difference between a group "at risk" for poor health and a group considered a "vulnerable" population? Provide an example of a group at risk and a group considered a vulnerable population. Explain why members of these groups cannot advocate for themselves or why advocating for these groups would be beneficial. What would you advocate for? The notion of groups “at risk” for poor health differs from vulnerable populations. “A population at risk is a population with a common identified risk factor or risk exposure that poses a threat to health (Stanhope & Lancaster, 2014, p. 189). For example, a population at risk for cardiovascular disease consists of all adults who are overweight and hypertensive (Stanhope & Lancaster, 2014). A population at risk is “characterized by a homogeneously high level of exposure to a single risk factor” (Shi & Singh, 2011, p. 704) and all individuals in an “at risk” group can potentially develop an adverse health condition due to some risk factor. For example, lifestyle-related risk factor such as smoking, places all smokers at risk for developing lung cancer. However, not everyone who is at risk develops health problems. Some individuals are more likely than others to develop health conditions for which they are at risk, which makes them more vulnerable (Stanhope & Lancaster, 2014a. A vulnerable population “is a subgroup of the population that is more likely to develop health problems as a result of exposure to risk or to...
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...Vulnerable People in the Workplace Vulnerable People in the Workplace Paper Watson is a Nursing theorist who recognizes nursing as the art of caring and the need to treat each patient holistically (Watson, 2007). Leininger is another Nursing theorist who realized caring is unique and the core of nursing. According to Leininger’s Cultural Care Theory as cited by Maier-Lorentz (2008), on Transcultural Nursing, nurses need to be aware of various cultures and how to use this knowledge in their daily practice (Maier-Lorentz, 2008). Leininger’s Cultural Care Theory addresses the need for cultural competency in health care. Communication with a patient can be affected by a patient’s culture. In addition, nurses need to avoid ethnocentric bias. In an effort to achieve a holistic approach to health care one must have an understanding of cultural factors that may affect proposed health care interventions. Leininger’s Cultural Care Theory can be hardwired with Watson’s Theory of Human Care to help achieve holistic care of the patient (Leininger & McFarland, 2002). In this paper I will discuss the design of a teaching program at my workplace to help raise awareness about vulnerable populations. According to De Chesney and Anderson (2008), issues with vulnerability can apply to population groups or individual people. De Chesney and Anderson (2008) discuss vulnerable populations that are at higher risk for health issues related to socioeconomic status, cultural issues, or environmental...
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...Two Vulnerable Populations and Their Theories Quanisha Hobley Winston Salem State University Abstract Vulnerability is when an individual loses the ability to fully make informed decisions on his or her own. This paper will discuss the vulnerable population of people with mental illnesses, and the elderly. There are many groups of people that fit the “vulnerable population” category, to include: mentally disabled, socioeconomically disadvantaged, those with physical limitations, children, and the elderly population. Nursing theories should coincide with nursing care. Orem’s self-care deficit theory supports the elderly population. Peplau’s interpersonal theory supports those that suffer with mental illnesses. When I think of a vulnerable population, many population groups come to mind. Any individual that due to conditions, either acute or chronic, who has his or her ability to make informed decisions diminished is considered part of a vulnerable population. Vulnerability is a result of uncontrollable individual factors over which the patient has no influence (Creasia & Friberg, 2011). According to de Chesney & Anderson, Vulnerability is a general concept meaning “susceptibility” and has a specific connotation in health problems (2012). Individuals can become vulnerable at any time of their life because of change in circumstances, placing them at increased risk. One group considered to be a vulnerable population is the elderly. For many years, society...
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...Vulnerable Population and Self-Awareness Paper NUR/440 – Health Assessment and Promotion For Vulnerable Population 12 December 2011 Vulnerable Populations and Self Awareness Introduction This paper is a study of the vulnerable population of the elderly in the United States and will discuss the mindfulness of this author’s personal biases, attitudes, and conceived stereotypes regarding this population. The patient chosen as an example for this paper is Norma James from the University of Phoenix “neighborhood”. Mrs James is a widow who’s vulnerability relating to health care will be compared with information gathered through research and applied to the elderly population and those with chronic illness. The vulnerabilities faced by Norma will be a realistic representation of the challenges associated with this population. Elderly Patients with Chronic Illness Despite the efforts of healthcare providers and various organizations across the United States to reduce or eliminate disparities within vulnerable healthcare populations, significant disparities continue to cause limited access to healthcare. This limitation poses risk to populations such as elderly and those living in poverty. The health domains of vulnerable populations can be divided into 3 categories: physical, psychological, and social. Those with physical needs include the elderly, chronically ill and disabled, chronic medical conditions include respiratory diseases, diabetes, hypertension, dyslipidemia...
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...Vulnerable Population and Self Awareness Doreen Carranza NUR/440 August 13, 2012 Vicki Clithero Vulnerable Population and Self Awareness Effective healthcare is dependent on understanding vulnerable individuals and populations with respect to biases and prejudices of healthcare providers. According to de Chesnay (2008), “Vulnerability is a general concept meaning susceptibility, and its specific connotation in terms of healthcare is at risk for health problems” (p. 3). Anyone can be vulnerable at different times in his or her life under specific circumstances. According to de Chesnay (2008), “Vulnerable populations are those at risk for poor physical, psychological, or social health. Anyone can be vulnerable at any given point in time as a result of life circumstances or response to illness or events” (p. 3). In order to render good healthcare, healthcare providers need to be aware of their own vulnerability. This paper will discuss the vulnerable population of the elderly; demographics of the elderly; personal awareness of the elderly including attitudes, biases, and stereotyping prior to studying the elderly; the impact of research on personal attitudes after gathering information, and how knowledge might affect the delivery of healthcare to the elderly. The amount of aging people in the United States continues to increase, in We the American Elderly (1993) it states that: From 1990 to 2020, the elderly population is projected to increase to 54 million persons...
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...Community and Public Health Nursing Reflection Community and public health nursing provide health education, care management and primary care to individuals and families who are members of vulnerable populations and high risk groups. Public health nurse integrate community involvement and knowledge about the entire population with personal clinical understandings of the health and illness experiences of individuals and families within the population. Community and public nurse focus on the prevention of illness, injury or disability, the promotion of health and maintenance of the health of the populations, they work with communities, target health promotion and disease prevention, they act as teachers, counselors and plays an important role in preventing wide spread illness and disease. Community and public health nurses’ goal is to promote, preserve, and maintain the health of populations through the delivery of personal health services to individuals, families, and groups, and also the prevention of disease and disability, to promote and protect the community as a whole. According to Stanhope & Lancaster (2012), nursing has numerous roles including identifying vulnerable individuals and families through outreach and case findings, encouraging vulnerable groups to obtain health services, developing programs that respond to their needs and teaching vulnerable individuals, families and groups strategies to prevent illness and promote health (pg. 728). My community family...
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...Reflection Paper One Advanced practice nursing (APN) can be loosely defined as an area of nursing in which nurses are required to practice at an advanced level in a specific area of interest. APN extends the boundaries of nursing’s scope of practice and contributes to nursing knowledge, and the development of the profession (Canadian Nurses Association, 2008). In order to become an APN, the nurse must obtain a master’s or doctoral degree from an accredited university in an area of concentration designated for advanced practice nursing. According to Joel (2009), there are currently four major groups of APNs: certified registered nurse anesthetist, certified nurse midwives, clinical nurse specialists, and nurse practitioners. APN focus on critical thinking, educating the public, diagnosing and treating illnesses, and prescribing medications to name a few. This paper will discuss the future of the nurse practitioner and how I, as a future adult-gerontology primary care nurse practitioner, will advocate for my patient population. Philosophy and Beliefs of Nurse Practitioners Due to the fact that nurse practitioner is a branch of advanced practice nursing, the two professions often share many of the same philosophic beliefs. The overall philosophy of both professions is centered on four key concepts of person, society, health and nursing; whereas, the core philosophy for nurse practitioners is that of individualized care where focus is on patients’ conditions, as well as, the...
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...Vulnerable Populations in Current Events As the cold winter months approach so does another cold and flu season. Individuals, communities and the nation itself must prepare in advance for the possibility of the flu striking home. Especially susceptible are vulnerable populations unable or unwilling to provide themselves the necessary care to prevent getting the flu. Or caring for themselves in the event they do get the flu. Vulnerable populations are individuals, families, or communities ho lack the necessary resources or capabilities to protect their own health. These “populations” are vulnerable because of factors such as socio-economic resources, limited financial means, age, gender or, limited knowledge of the English language. Women, children or the elderly are especially vulnerable The flu is an extremely contagious disease passed from person to person. A society or community ill prepared or failing to act in a timely manner in regards to vulnerable populations will only tend to increase the risk of infection for all people by increasing the number of people can spread the disease (Hutchins, Truman, Merlin & Redd, 2009). Implementation of programs to provide vaccinations to vulnerable populations may help to prevent an outbreak of the flu or at least stem the tide in the event of an outbreak. In the facility that I work, Inova Mount Vernon Hospital, we have implemented such a plan. We provide free flu shots to low income families and children. All...
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...Health Disparities Among Vulnerable Populations: Evolution of Knowledge Over Five Decades in Nursing Research Publications Nursing Research March/April 2002 Volume 51 Number 2 Pages 74 - 85 Jacquelyn H. Flaskerud Janna Lesser Elizabeth Dixon Nancy Anderson Francisco Conde Sue Kim Deborah Koniak-Griffin Aaron Strehlow Dorothy Tullmann Inese Verzemnieks Abstract Background: Considerable attention has been focused recently on conducting research on the health disparities experienced by some Americans as the result of poverty, ethnicity, and/or marginalized social status. Nursing research has a major role to play in developing this body of knowledge. Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to review the contributions that Nursing Research made through its publications over the last five decades in developing the body of tested knowledge about health disparities in vulnerable groups and to analyze the progress made. Methods: Criteria for reviewing the literature were established. All Nursing Research publications between 1952 and 2000 were searched manually, indexes of each year's bound volumes were reviewed, and computer searches were conducted. Included in the review were research reports, research briefs, and methodology articles. Results: Seventy-nine papers were found that met basic criteria for inclusion. The number of relevant publications increased each decade, with a sizable increase in numbers since 1990, and may be related to...
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...The Elderly as a Vulnerable Population Lauren M. Lorio NUR/440 April 9, 2012 Maria Mendez The Elderly as a Vulnerable Population Vulnerability is defined as susceptibility or increased risk for health problems (DeChesnay, 2008). A group of individuals are considered at higher risk for illness when their physical, emotional, psychological, or social health, is compromised (Aday, 2001). There are many leading causes for why a population is considered at higher risk; socioeconomic, age, gender, demographics, personal, and cultural backgrounds are some of the key factors (Aday, 2001; Sebation, 1996). Individuals can become vulnerable at any time because of change in life circumstances, placing them at higher risk. One group considered to be a vulnerable population is the elderly. In the article, “Patterns of Perceived Barriers to Medical Care in Older Adults: a Latent Class Analysis,” authors Joshua M. Thorpe, Carolyn T. Thorpe, Korey A. Kennelty, and Nancy Pandhi (2011), examine various levels concerning barriers to health care accessibility for the elderly population. The purpose of the study is to “…identify risk factors, potentially assisting healthcare organizations with targeting policies and interventions designed to improve access in the most vulnerable older adult populations” (Thorpe et al., 2011, p. 1). Categories of distinct classes of older adults were established in the article, placing Class one at the lowest level of risk for accessibility issues, and...
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...have begun focusing on ways to create culturally appropriate and effective health care policies. These policies will lead to culturally sensitive care provided to patients. The diversity within the world’s population is changing hastily and impacting health care globally. Although, many organizations have provided their definitions of cultural competence regarding health care, all organizations, health care providers, and patients have their own vision of what cultural competency entails. It is important that all providers use their individual understanding of the term to analyze ways to meet the standards of nursing care. With standards in place, organizations can develop tools which measure individual patient needs as well as measuring the effectiveness of the organization’s culturally diverse practices. As populations become more diverse, it is imperative that the gap in disparities of health care be closed. To ensure these differences are addressed, health care providers and patients must discuss the concerns without cultural differences hindering the discussion (What is Cultural Competency, n.d.). All categories and specialties within the health care profession must overcome the challenges presented to them regarding the changing diversity of the populations that they serve. In the home health workplace, nurses have to be knowledgeable and cognizant of cultural diversities in order to provide the most efficient care possible. Culturally competent care in my home...
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...and Public Health Nursing Reflection Cynthia Clayton NUR/405 January 14, 2012 Sandra Winters Community and Public Health Nursing Reflection Community and public health nursing provide health education, care management and primary care to individuals and families who are members of vulnerable populations and high risk groups. Public health nurse integrate community involvement and knowledge about the entire population with personal clinical understandings of the health and illness experiences of individuals and families within the population. Community and public nurse focus on the prevention of illness, injury or disability, the promotion of health and maintenance of the health of the populations, they work with communities, target health promotion and disease prevention, they act as teachers, counselors and plays an important role in preventing wide spread illness and disease. Community and public health nurses’ goal is to promote, preserve, and maintain the health of populations through the delivery of personal health services to individuals, families, and groups, and also the prevention of disease and disability, to promote and protect the community as a whole. According to Stanhope & Lancaster (2012), nursing has numerous roles including identifying vulnerable individuals and families through outreach and case findings, encouraging vulnerable groups to obtain health services, developing programs that respond to their needs and teaching vulnerable individuals, families...
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...Vulnerable Population: Elderly population NUR/440 July 11, 2011 Anavictoria Fortaleza Vulnerable Population and Self-Awareness Paper The Elderly Population According to Chesnay (2008) “vulnerable populations are those with greater than average risk of developing health problems by virtue of their marginalized sociocultural status, their limited access to economic resources or personal characteristics such as gender or age. Anyone can be vulnerable at any given point in time as a result of life circumstances or response to illness or events” (p 3-4). For the last few decades, society and government have put a great deal of concern and interest on the aging population. The number of elderly population in the United States is rapidly increasing. The US population under the age of 65 tripled during the 20th century. This number is to double by the middle of next century. Over 70 million American citizens will be considered elderly by 2030, or about 20% of the population will be senior citizen (Walsh, 2009). The growing numbers are attributed to aging “Baby Boomers” and increasing life expectancies. Disability and disease are more common in elderly population such as hip fractures, parkinson’s disease, malnutrition, cardivovascular disease and malignant cancer. More than 70% of the elderly population has been diagnosed with a chronic disease (Pishchita, 2007). According to CDC, arthritis is the leading cause of disability among individuals over 65 years of age and 47% of...
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... it is beneficial to hospitals to try to prevent falls. Patients also may have conditions that make increase the incidents of fall. Therefore, several tools for diagnosing fall risk have been developed. The one selected for this study is the Humpty Dumpty Fall Scale. This scale was used at an institution with a higher-than-average fall rate among its pediatric patients. A policy and plan were created in the institution, and then the nursing staff was educated on the Humpty Dumpty Fall Scale. Whereas the fall rate before instituting the plan and Fall Scale was 4.5% per 1,000 patient days, the percentage dropped to 0% per 1,000 patient days after the plan and Scale were introduced. The article notes that the enthusiasm of the staff was a determining factor in reducing the institution’s fall rate. This article is useful in considering the importance of assessment tools in prevention, as well as in demonstrating the role of the nurse in making significant institutional changes. This article is also useful in considering populations that are vulnerable to falling outside of those that are commonly considered, such as the elderly and orthopedic...
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