Health and Social Care Action Research

This assignment focuses on action research within the context of health and social care. Students are tasked with demonstrating their understanding of action research methodology, its application in this field, and its impact on improving services and patient outcomes. The provided text delves into various aspects of action research, referencing relevant academic works and legislation, such as the Equality Act 2010 and Mental Capacity Act 2005. It also touches upon key concepts like interprofessional collaboration, body work in healthcare, and the influence of neuroscience on health disparities.

Supporting Significant Life
Events

Table of Contents
INTRODUCTION................................................................................................................................3
TASK 1.................................................................................................................................................3
1.1 Impact of significant life event.............................................................................................3
1.2 Analyses of group responses.................................................................................................3
1.3 Impact for others in health and social care when an individual experiences significant life
event............................................................................................................................................4
TASK 2.................................................................................................................................................5
2.1 Evaluation of organisational policies and procedures...........................................................5
2.2 Social network support to Richard and Sophie.....................................................................5
2.3 Support of external sources...................................................................................................6
TASK 3.................................................................................................................................................7
3.1 Analyses of organisational responses to support Sophie and Richard..................................7
3.2 Reflection on owns personal contribution.............................................................................7
3.3 Recommendation for improving support .............................................................................8
CONCLUSION....................................................................................................................................9
REFERENCES...................................................................................................................................10

INTRODUCTION
Life events are the significant turning points on an individual’s life. Major life events are
birth, death, marriage, child birth, divorce, loss of job, loss of mental health, and etc. The report
studies how individuals are effected by expected and unexpected life events. The major change that
is brought by these life changes affects the interpersonal relationship of the individual. Richard in
the case study is facing and transactional life events due to his alcohol addiction. He was sent to a
rehab centre to get sober (Madge and et.al., 2011). This unexpected life event is said to have
changed Richard and his family’s life. The research shows how health and social care services
contribute to maintenance of confidence for the person undergoing stress and trauma.
TASK 1
1.1 Impact of significant life event
A significant life event is a particular event that occurs in a human life, which brings in
change in the life of the individual. It can be an event of occurrence which may have occur due to a
gain or loss. Significant life event changes life of the individual to an extent that a person's life is
never the same (Litvinov, Kotowycz and Wassmann, 2009). Life events that occur in a person
lifespan are like death, birth, retirement, marriage, pregnancy, rape, victim of a crime, disease,
demotion etc.
Life events have both negative and positive affects on the individual. For example, a person
suffering from cancer suddenly dies, she was the sole earner of her family as she was abandoned by
her husband years back. Her two kids are now left alone to tackle with issue and complexity of life
without their mother. This life event changed both boys life forever. They now have to earn and
study simultaneously. They cannot live their life like they were living when their mother was alive.
Another example can be when someone is getting married. In this case the groom is happy to find
his soul mate but the bride is happy as well as sad of the fact that she will have to move away from
her family.
In context of the case study, it can be said that Richard's alcohol addiction changed his
families life forever. His family had to bear the pressure to deal with a alcoholic person amidst
them. Sophie had to take a hard decision to send Richard to a rehab facility (Karg, Burmeister,
Shedden and Sen, 2011). She was left alone to perform the responsibilities of bread earner that
Richard use to do. Her children faced a negative impact of this situations which mentally disturb
them. Richard lost his friends due his addiction habit and disgruntled behaviour. Both Richard and
Sophie faced mental trauma due to this event in their life.
1.2 Analyses of group responses
In Richard and Sophie's case their friends and peers were miffed by this habit. They would
constantly insult and criticize Richard for becoming a terrible person. It was also true that Richard

would not do anything of this sort if he was not under the influence of alcohol. He would get
frustrated and dissatisfied from work, due to peer pressure. At this moment the alcohol addictive
person demands support and treatment instead Richard was receiving isolation in the workplace
(Reich, Lesur and Perdrizet-Chevallier, 2008). This further added to the addiction and created the
problem more worse. His friends and family members lost trust and empathy towards him. Sophie
on the other hand had to hide every possible alcohol source that could worsen the situation. She
would constantly shout and get angry as she was facing risk of losing her husband and their
marriage. Many co-workers refused to work with Richard due to his discontented and violent
behaviour toward them. This resulted in constant fighting and complaining. The management
eventually issued warning towards to Richard to either quit job or to get help.
Cognitive behavioural approach helps the alcohol addictive person to replace misleading
behaviour and introduces concept of rational thinking. The group members in the rehab centre
force the person to promote learning and importance of alcohol free life. This facility helps in
collaborating efforts of the alcoholic in solving the problems faced by him/her. This approach helps
the addictive to enhances and develop skill possessed by him/her (Shonkoff, Boyce and McEwen,
2009). Group formation in rehab is developed to create interventions for the person addicted with
alcohol. Psychodynamic approach helps the individual to bring in major changes in life of the
person suffering from heavy alcohol problem. This approach lets the individual understand as to
what triggers habit of drinking in him/her. Groups in psychodynamic approach use various
homogeneous characters such as anger management, anxiety or unemployment.
1.3 Impact for others in health and social care when an individual experiences significant life event.
Health and social care workers like John ad Tim are affected by the rising cases of addiction
by individuals. The government is spending loads of money to support the groups designed to help
alcohol addictive people. Government has provided rehabilitation services to the families affected
by the member who is undergoing treatment in rehab centres. Free medicines and treatment services
are provided by the government to help the victims to get sober (Harrison and Vannest, 2008). Due
to rise in number of cases of alcohol addiction there is a huge demand of ambulance and emergency
services. This demand disrupts the flow of medical facility specifically for accident victims.
An alcohol addictive person is deemed to be of unsound mind under the influence of
alcohol. There are greater risks faced by the social worker who provide treatment and care facility
to the service user. John as stated by the case study saw a sign of relief on the day of Richard's
suspension from the rehab centre. He was relieved that now he would not have to face tantrums and
anxiety issues anymore. As a health care worker he was in a typical situation where he was getting
mistreated toward the help provided by him. Health care worker hesitate to work with alcohol
addictive person as in many cases they abuse and get violent with the worker (Amital and et.al.,

2006). Addiction of alcohol creates a frustration feeling when the person does not receive alcohol .
He/she in wake of absence of alcohol mistreats the health care worker.
Tim who was the focus group leader, helped Richard in many ways to get sober and to get
his lost self-confident. He conducted daily session on account of motivating Richard to share his
experience with other group members. He emphasized on living free of alcohol and the problems
created by it.
TASK 2
2.1 Evaluation of organisational policies and procedures
The Mental Capacity Act 2005, provides a legal framework for a person to act as an acting
and decision making authority on behalf of the adult who lacks the capacity to make the right
decision. In the case study, Richard losses the capacity to the appropriate action to seek medical
care, and on his behalf Sophie was entitled to take the action (Bale and et.al., 2010). This act
provides decision making right to provide treatment facility for the person who loses mental
stability.
Equality act of 1976, provides equal rights to the person receiving medical care. The act
states that each person irrespective of colour, cast creed and religion is bound to receive medical
treatment facility. The employees working in health and social care must not be discriminated on
any base (Neumann, 2013). They must receive equal pay and development opportunities. Though
John who was the health care worker faced many issues with Richard, but did not discriminated in
providing treatment on the basis of those issues.
Substance abuse policy state that any sort of substance or drug is not allowed in the premise
of workplace. Each corporate office may change and formulate this policy in the basis of their
requirements (Xia, Ding, Hollon and Wan, 2013). This policy helps to control the use of substance,
drug or alcohol in the workplace. Drug or alcohol test are conducted by the management to identify
person in fault. In Richards case if his workplace authority would have generate district policy and
rules for alcohol use, he would not have used the same in the office hours.
These organisational policies have high advantages then disadvantages. The policies help to
safeguards rights and interest of employees working in the workplace. The policies keeps a check
on the employees which is must to stop the use of drugs or alcohol in the workplace. The
frameworks also provide advantage to the individual to seek help. Whereas the disadvantage of
these policies is that organisation fail to implement the frameworks. Organisation has done a little in
terms of abducting habits of discrimination and substance use in office premises.
2.2 Social network support to Richard and Sophie Family- Richard's family support is important in getting sober. Alcohol is a use disorder thus

it has great chances to hit back at the person. Family requires to support financial and
emotionally to Richard to help him get better soon (Cryder and et.al., 2006). It is important
to provide constant inspiration and motivation. As it will lead in complete reduction of the
alcohol addiction problem. Colleagues- Office colleagues have to pay attention to not over burden or stress the
individual as this may lead to create depression for the person dealing with alcohol disorder.
They must constantly motivate and provide positive support to Richard . It is important to
conduct test for identifying whether Richard has taken alcohol or not (Munn-Giddings and
Winter, 2013). They can help him to understand the importance of alcohol free life by
enforcing no alcohol policy in the office. People from community- Community can conduct meetings where Richard and his family
can share their experience and feelings (Lacasse and et.al., 2007). This will help to lessen
their burden of social shaming. Community can provide help to Sophie by volunteering for
household works. This will help Sophie and Richard in bouncing back to their ordinary life.
Community programs will boost their confidence and will inspire them to attend welfare
programs.
 Focus Group- These groups are formulated to identify the perception, beliefs and feelings of
person coping up with alcohol abuse (Crews and Nixon, 2009). A group sits down in a
formal way to discuss about how treatment services helped them to get sober against their
alcohol addictive habits. Richard found great support in the focus group and by the
assistance of Tim, he was able to get sober in few months.
2.3 Support of external sources
Richard received Rehabilitation in the form of support service. Rehab centre is a course of
treatment for the person dealing with drug or alcohol abuse. It is a process of restoring the lost
mental ability of a person fallen in trap of alcohol abuse (Lacasse and et.al., 2007). The rehab
facility provided no access to drug or alcohol there were strict monitoring done for any guest or
visitors coming to visits Richard. They completely stopped the use of alcohol in Richard. The no
access facility bounded Richard to stay clean and restructured his intake of alcohol. Richard had to
go down on a difficult transactional path.
Rehab provide a stable environment for Richard to recover from alcohol abuse. The stable
and calm environment of the rehab centres helped to keep Richard temptation in control.
Counselling facility was provided to Richard 24/7, talking about his issues and struggles brought a
positive change in Richard. He was inspired to get sober and clear of alcohol. Participating in the
daily activities helped Richard to get back to the daily routine of a normal person. He was guided to
maintain his fitness levels which also helped him to regulate thirst for alcohol in his biological

system. Richard learned about how to overcome his addiction habit and this learning embarked
sense of recovery in him (McGill, 2007). As all the participants of the rehab were trying to get rid
of drug or alcohol, it provided motivational peer support for Richard. He was inspired by the
dedication brought by the rehab centre in helping people to get recover from alcohol abuse.
TASK 3
3.1 Analyses of organisational responses to support Sophie and Richard
 Medication- The rehabilitation and focus group provide medication facility to Richard.
These medication helped in getting stabilised for conducting successful tenure at the
rehabilitation centre (Law and MacDermid, 2008). Medication helps to release chemicals
that suppress the feeling to consume alcohol. These medication are given under strict
supervision and consultation of medical practitioner. Individual and group therapy- Individual therapy is held in one to one session with the
psychiatrist. Patients seeks therapists full attention ad care in the time frame decided
mutually by them. Individual therapy helped Richard to cope with the issues faced by him.
As Richard was reluctant to start his life back his office, therapists guided him and
motivated him to be confident enough to meet his work commitments. Group therapy is
conducted in sessions where there are more the one person (Deutsch and et.al., 2008). Group
therapy helps to identify ad fight with the problem of re-occurrence of the problem. As all
the members in the group are dealing with the same case, it is easy to find a suitable
environment for dealing with the issue faced by Richard. Health Insurance- Rehabilitation centre provides health and family insurance facility. Health
insurance is important tool for person dealing with acute problem of alcohol abuse.
Insurance helps the family of the service user to get compensatory amount in case of any
mishap or death of the user in the course of treatment (Mechtcheriakov and et.al., 2007).
Insurance facilitated and generated motivation to deal with the financial problems faced by
Richard and Sophie.
 Empowerment of service user- Rehabilitation centre provided Richard with empowerment
facility and his rights I terms of treatment ad facility provided by the centre. The centre
helped Richard to identify and develop his skills and talent which was going in vain due to
alcohol abuse (Arévalo, Prado and Amaro, 2008). Richard also identified his strengths and
weakness which helped him to get motivated to sped alcohol free life.
3.2 Reflection on owns personal contribution
Significant events in our life shape our thinking ability and beliefs towards life. They change
our perspective to how we perceive things in our life. Significant life events have a great influence
over us. I once helped my friend, Angela who was undergoing treatment for cancer. She was

undergoing extensive surgeries and treatments. Few years back she identified she had cancer, and
from that day onwards her life changed forever. She was a brilliant interior designer with a
promising carrier ahead of her. Cancer treatment created turmoil in her personal life as well. Her
husband and kids were left deteriorated for the one reason of losing her. Her husband now had to
take care of their children and work as well (Vaillant and Vaillant, 2009). He also had to serve her in
the hospital. Multiple shifts to the hospital and work frustrated him and created heavy stress on him.
Their children lost interest to studies due to depression and acute stress problems. Angela herself
lost confidence and moral ambition to fight against the disease.
I confronted Angela and asked as to what was leading to this. She said that long stay in
hospital lead to financial instability in their family. This altogether added to her long list of
challenges. I talked to Angela and her husband and asked them to join a focus group associated with
their hospital itself. I decided to assist their kids to get tuition classes to help them cover their
syllabus. I personally gave them tuition classes on Sunday to give them a homely environment. I
funded a part of her treatment to help her get relieved of the financial problems. This financial help
and my guidance motivated her who in return yielded her confidence (Munn-Giddings and Winter,
2013). She now has a more positive aspect towards life. She has now successfully won cancer battle
and is more confident than ever.
3.3 Recommendation for improving support Financial assistance to the victimized family- Life events not only hamper mental stability
of a person but also create financial problems for the family. It is evident from the case study
that in Richards absence Sophie had a lot of pressure on her for supporting their family
(Vaillant and Vaillant, 2009). Government and community must provide help to the victim’s
family undergoing difficult life event that has hindered financial sources for the person. Individual and family therapies- Although Richard received group and individual therapy
sessions no family counselling was evidently provided in the case study. Family therapy
session will help the family in counselling their issues and problems (Currie and Lockett,
2011). Family therapy session will build the lost connectivity among the family members
due to alcohol crisis.
 Strict policies and better frameworks- Government have formulated various policies and
frameworks like, Health and safety act, equality act and etc (Pollard, Miers, Gilchrist and
Sayers, 2006). These are still not sufficient for controlling alcoholism and substance abuse
in the country. Government must mandate these frameworks and generate strict fine and
punishment must be levied on the person found guilty with charges. International policies
have to be more hard and versatile to stop import and export of drug from and in the
country.

CONCLUSION
From the study of significant life events it is evident that every event changes the normal
routine of a person's life. The event may be small or big affects the person as well as the person
close to him/her. Richard found help from the rehabilitation centre's services and from the support
of the focus group. Sophie, his wife and his kids motivated him to stop the use of alcohol. The
research found that community, friends, family and colleagues proved to be the strength pillars. It
can be said that treatment and care services provided by health care prove to be important for
person suffering from alcohol abuse.

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