Leach Purcell Case Study 2022

Running head: LEAH PURCELL CASE STUDY
LEAH PURCELL CASE STUDY
Name of the student:
Name of the university:
Author note

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Introduction:
In the recent era, social determinants of health have received significant consideration as
a foundational perception in the arena of population and public health. Social determinants of
health are the social factors that not only impact the quality of life but also shape the health
experience of the individuals. In this context, narrative can be a powerful tool for understanding
the health experience of the people and stimulate the changes according to it (Chapman, 2015).
Hence, this paper aimed to focus on the health narrative of Leah Purcell to gather the
understanding of how social determinates can shape health narratives and require to consider
for supporting people’s health and wellbeing.
Health narratives:
Narratives have always been a fundamental part of medicine which allows professionals
to reach out to every patient and address their unique need. In this context, Chen, Bell and Taylor
(2016), define health narrative as the stories of the patients which allow professionals as well as
the population to gather an in-depth understanding of their suffering. Health narrative is a
powerful tool of communication in the clinical field which offers a biographic as well as the
social context of the illness experience and advocate coping strategies for overcoming the
experience of illness (Wain et al., 2016). Consequently, it provides an opportunity to understand
better what health is and the social factors that shape the health apart from health care services.
In details, it can be said that health narratives assist professionals to identify the leading cause of
high morbidity and mortality rate across the globe and strategies to eradicate them (Waitt et al.,
2016).

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While considering the importance of the health narratives, it is crucial to consider the fact
that social, psychological and physical factors influence the health and wellbeing of the
individuals and which further shape the values and beliefs of the individuals. Consequently,
while any individual provided with an opportunity to narrate their stories or biography, these
health experiences are reflected through their narration and values (Saunders, Sherwood &
Usher, 2015). In this context, one of the most prominent examples is that individuals who have
experienced poverty, discrimination, inadequate literacy and lack of access to the health care
facilities shape their narration according to it. Hence, while they will provide with an opportunity
to provide health narrative, these health experiences and associated factors will reflect through it
(Lyle et al., 2016). Consequently, it enables health professionals to consider these social factors
such as inequity and biases while considering the health and wellbeing of the patients. They can
empathize with the patient's situation, and this has led to a change in the behavior of physicians
toward their patients (Adamson & Dewar, 2015). Besides, narratives on health can enhance the
amendments of health-related policies (Adamson & Dewar, 2015). Health professionals,
governing bodies can address not only physical needs but also unique needs based on health
experiences. After all, optimistic patient experience leads to better health outcomes and improve
the quality of care.
SODH:
SDOH stands for social determinants of health. World Health Organization, 2017 define
social determinants of health as the conditions in which people are born, live and grow old as
well as other factors that the condition of routine (Fisher et al.,2016). This inadequate

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distribution of health-damaging experiences of the individuals is the result of poor social policies
and power unfair economic arrangements, and unhealthy social values (Fisher et al., 2019). In-
depth details about factors that influence the health and wellbeing of the population and
mitigation are well covered in healthcare; for example, resources to fight diseases as well as
when reported to healthcare professionals. However, there are certain factors, especially the
social factors which influence the health and wellbeing of the individuals and health experience
of them. The social determinants of health include unemployment, discrimination, and racism,
Social exclusion, lack of access to health care, Addiction (smoking and alcohol), Food and
transportation (Fisher et al.,2016). Conventional intervention approaches of the clinical
professionals failed to identify these social factors and address the needs as they do not consider
the narration of the patients (Markwick et al., 2015). In this context, health narrative and social
determinants are interconnected and professionals are required to consider these experiences and
factors while supporting the wellbeing of the patients.
Considering the influence of the social determinants of the health in understanding the
health experience of the people, the previous experience can be given in this context. The
patients who have experienced poverty, discrimination, inadequate literacy and lack of access to
health care tend to be vulnerable towards chronic diseases (Markwick et al., 2015). Taking a
deep insight into the situation, apart from conventional interventional approach, the unique needs
of these patients include financial support, adequate health literacy, and access to the health care
facilities as observed in case of the individuals belong to Torres strait island (Fisher et al., 2019).
Hence, to understand the health experience of the people, the social determinants of health play a
crucial role. Professionals and governing bodies are required to consider these social factors
while supporting health and wellbeing.