Sociology for Nursing Practice: Understanding Health Inequities

This assignment examines the crucial role of sociology in nursing practice, particularly in addressing health inequalities. It emphasizes the connection between social determinants of health and disparities in healthcare access and outcomes. Students are tasked with analyzing various social issues impacting health, such as poverty, discrimination, and access to education, and exploring how nurses can advocate for equitable healthcare through a sociological lens.

Running head: NURSING ASSIGNMENT 1
Nursing assignment
Student’s Name
University Affiliation

NURSING ASSIGNMENT 2
Contents
First section......................................................................................................................................2
1. Can sociology enhance nursing practice?.............................................................................2
Introduction..............................................................................................................................2
The value of sociology in nursing practice..............................................................................2
Conclusion................................................................................................................................3
2. Is there a relationship between health and human rights?....................................................4
Introduction..............................................................................................................................4
The relationship between health and human rights..................................................................4
Conclusion................................................................................................................................5
Second Section.................................................................................................................................6
1. Is homophobia still a problem in healthcare today?.............................................................6
Introduction..............................................................................................................................6
The problem of homophobia in healthcare today.....................................................................6
Conclusion................................................................................................................................7
2. Is economic inequality a threat to good health?...................................................................8
Introduction..............................................................................................................................8
Economic inequality is a threat to good health........................................................................8
Conclusion................................................................................................................................9

NURSING ASSIGNMENT 3
References......................................................................................................................................10

NURSING ASSIGNMENT 4
First section
1. Can sociology enhance nursing practice?
Introduction
Sociology can enhance nursing practice since it equips nurses with new ways with which
to discern the needs of different patients. This assignment supports the view that sociology is
vital in nursing practice and it helps nurses to develop a sociological imagination. Sociological
perspective enables nurses to embrace holism when delivering care and causes them not to focus
on biomedical aspect only.
The value of sociology in nursing practice
Sociology gives nurses an approach to practice, supported by critical thinking, analytic as
well as questioning, which is important to identify and meet patient needs. This kind of nursing
practice is known as reflective practice and can close the theory-practice gap (Green & Earle,
2005). The knowledge of sociology allows nurses to understand the psychological and social
needs of the patients. Besides, sociology instils sociological imagination among nurses. In this
case, the nurses can have a sociological viewpoint rather than biomedical view when examining
and caring for a patient. For instance, sociology enables nurses to appreciate that old age is a
socially constructed category (Green & Earle, 2005). Hence, sociology entails both the
acquisition of knowledge and cultivation of new ways of looking at the world.
Since sociology enhances the understanding of social and psychological needs of a
patient, it promotes holistic care of patients. The justification of sociology is that nurses view
patients as people in the context of their society and pathology. Another justification is that

NURSING ASSIGNMENT 5
nursing students understand the holistic needs of the patient as well as their families. This
knowledge opens a new opportunity for patient care since it enables nurses to discern the
patient’s personality and their circumstances (Cooke, 1993).
In the health profession, there is an understanding and acknowledgement that health is
determined by various factors such as social and cultural. Nurses thus require the knowledge of
the determinants of health, which can be achieved through sociology (Matthews, 2015). This
understanding would enable them to view each patient as a person with different needs from
those of their social groups. Sociology allows nursing students to have an overview of the
different patients they are likely to meet during their practice.
An understanding of the patient’s social setting offers a substantial insight into how they
perceive the world, specifically their experiences of care and health. This enables nurses to
reflect on the kind of care they deliver to patients from diverse social backgrounds (McPherson,
2008). When offering this kind of care, nurses exhibit a transformation of thought, which is a
radical shift from initially held values and beliefs. The shift can be applied to the distinction
between training and education, which when transferred into suitable action by nurses would be
appropriate as required by the nursing profession.
Conclusion
As evident in this discussion, sociology is vital in nursing because it cultivates new ways
of thinking and understanding patient needs. Hence, sociology is an integral part of studies. It
will differentiate nurses from other medical students. Nurses would be distinguished by their
sociological imagination, which allows them to deliver holistic care instead of focusing on
biomedical aspect.

NURSING ASSIGNMENT 6
2. Is there a relationship between health and human rights?
Introduction
There is a significant relationship between health and human rights. The promotion of
human rights results in improved health in the community, mainly in the vulnerable and
economically disadvantaged communities. This assignment aims to support this view with
evidence from scholarly literature. The international human rights law has recognied that health
can be promoted by observing the social, cultural and economic rights of people.
The relationship between health and human rights
The first argument that supports the view of this assignment is that violation of human
rights results in adverse health outcomes. Violation of human rights always leads to mortality
and morbidity (Hunt, 2006). Asylum practices and policies violating human rights are linked to
psychological health effects. Torture and mandatory detention of innocent people including
asylum seekers might have far-reaching health impacts (Johnston, Allotey, Mulholland, &
Markovic, 2009). On the other hand, health programmes have an important contribution towards
the achievement of human rights. The right to health, which is a human right, expands beyond
health care to include the determinants of health including substantial sanitation, and safe
drinking water. Further, it includes the right of freedom such as the right to a voluntary medical
assessment. The right to highest attainable health demands the state to design and implement
health care plans with the involvement of the communities. Literature suggests that pro-poor
health policy has to address some issues of human rights such as access to education and
information on control and prevention of health problems in local communities (Hunt, 2006).

NURSING ASSIGNMENT 7
The second argument that supports the thesis of this assignment is the aspect of rights-
based public health nursing care. Based on this principle, nurses deliver indivisible and
interdependence care. Indivisible insinuates that all rights including political and civil have equal
status and ranks. Interdependence, on the other hand, proposes that the realisation of one right
depends on the realisation of the other. Other aspects of nursing care that apply to this view are
inclusion, accountability and equality. Evidently, health professionals are mandated to offer care
without discrimination, be accountable to the promotion of human rights and promote the right
of equality (Ivanov & Oden, 2013). When considering these aspects, it is clear that health is
related to human rights. A healthcare professional cannot achieve the aim of offering the highest
attainable care without promoting human rights.
The last argument is that the promotion of human rights has been found to advance
sexual health. For sexual health to be advanced, several values are required including respect,
protection as well as the fulfilment of human rights. Decriminalisation of consensual sex and
making sexual health information available has led to the improvement of sexual health
(Kismödi, Cottingham, Gruskin, & Miller, 2015). This finding expounds the view of human
rights and health. Human rights guarantee the access to medical services and healthy working
environment, which reduces the risk of adverse health outcomes.
Conclusion
Human rights are related to health, meaning that promotion of human rights leads to good
health. Based on this viewpoint, health professionals, the government and pertinent stakeholders
are required to promote human rights. The rights to education, access to health information, and
access to health care services play an important role in advancing health.

NURSING ASSIGNMENT 8
Second Section
1. Is homophobia still a problem in healthcare today?
Introduction
Homophobia is a still a problem in healthcare today. In fact, Lesbians, Gays, Bisexuals,
and Transgenders (LGBT) experience immense discrimination and prejudice in accessing and
using health care services. This assignment aims to discuss the prevalence of homophobia in
healthcare today and the tenets that advance homophobic ideas. The essay supports its argument
with peer-reviewed studies.
The problem of homophobia in healthcare today
A significant proportion of the mental health professionals have negative views about the
gay men and lesbians. Studies have found that about one-third of mental healthcare professionals
have negative attitudes towards LGBT communities (Morgan & Nerson, 1993). Homosexuality
is perceived as non-criminal, although it is thought to be pathological. The viewpoint of mental
healthcare professionals towards lesbians and gays is shaped through training. It has been found
that the training of mental health providers does not substantially focus on the mental health
problems of gay men and lesbians (Morgan & Nerson, 1993). Studies have concluded that
although major strides have been made towards addressing homophobia in healthcare, more
work is still needed.
Besides, LGBT patients face discrimination in the healthcare due to heterosexist and
homophobic perspectives of health professionals and nurses. Heterosexism is the belief that all
people have be heterosexual and that other sexual orientations are unhealthy and a threat to the
society (Irwin, 2007). Heterosexism and homophobia views might affect the gay men and

NURSING ASSIGNMENT 9
lesbians access to healthcare in different ways. Some healthcare professionals may define health
issues of LGBT as marginal or negligible since they impact a small number of people in the
society. Admission forms in healthcare institutions that require clients to identify themselves as
married, divorced or widowed further exhibit discrimination against LGBT in accessing
healthcare (Irwin, 2007). In Australia, there are reports that LGBT people experience
discrimination when seeking care and some decided to conceal their sexual orientation to
healthcare professionals for fear of discrimination.
Recent studies present specific examples of discrimination against gay men and lesbians
in healthcare facilities. Gay men and lesbians assert that they leave primary care settings with
unmet needs. These unmet needs include annual physical examinations and screening for
specific sexual diseases. Besides, gay men and lesbians note that medical doctors do not spend
sufficient time with them compared to heterosexual people. Another aspect is respect, where
LGBT people feel that they are disrespected by the healthcare providers (Jabson, Mitchell, &
Doty, 2016). Lesbians and gay men report experiencing harassment when seeking healthcare
services. Lesbians argue that they encounter atmospheres of humiliation and intimidation in
healthcare settings. They interpret such environment as hostile and consequently fear for their
safety in health care interactions (Stevens, 1992).
Conclusion
As evident in this assignment, homophobia is a significant issue in the health-care today.
This problem can be addressed by integrating LGBT health-related content in education
curricula. Health professionals required information on how to offer competent care to lesbians
and gay men. In addition, they require skills of communicating with LGBT without using
offensive language. This approach will help to address the issue of homophobia in healthcare.

NURSING ASSIGNMENT 10
2. Is economic inequality a threat to good health?
Introduction
Economic inequality is a threat to good health in both developed and developing
countries. Affluent people in the society tend to have better health compared to the less
disadvantaged people. This aspect is attributed to the difference in accessing better health care
services as well as healthy diets. This assignment will use week four readings on wealth,
inequality and health to support the view.
Economic inequality is a threat to good health
Various indicators reveal that economic inequality is a significant threat to good health.
Economically disadvantaged individuals are likely to die of diseases such as diabetes. Even
normal incidences like homicide and accidental injury tend to occur to the people with low
incomes. It has been found that females with a family income of under $10,000 have a high risk
of dying from diabetes and heart disease than those with incomes of above $25,000 (Reuss,
2001). Also, people with low incomes are more likely to live without health insurance, which
increases the risk of poor health outcomes.
Approximately, 44 percent of poor people in the U.S. lack health insurance. These poor
adults with health problems are half likely to see a health professional as adults with high-
income. Further, adults living in low socioeconomic regions are more likely to be hospitalised
for health problems that could have been effectively managed in outpatient. Men with low
incomes are about six times as likely as wealthy wealth men to experience hypertension (Reuss,
2001). Individuals with low incomes face several other factors that affect their health negatively.

NURSING ASSIGNMENT 11
They have low chances of getting regular exercise and eat high-fat diets, which are risk factors
for chronic diseases.
A specific example of how economic inequality threatens good health is the case of
aboriginal Australians. The aboriginal Australians have shorter life expectancy compared to the
non-aboriginal Australians because of inequality that can also be viewed as inequity (Leeder,
2003). The adverse health of the aboriginal Australians is attributable to social and educational
achievements. The definition of equity in accessing healthcare for disadvantaged people in the
community is different from the wealthy people. Economic inequality also affects the
affordability of health services. Low social, economic status affects the direct and indirect costs
in accessing healthcare services (Bleich, Jarlenski, Bell, & LaVeist, 2012). Poor people are
unable to afford fundamental medicines and medical tests. These factors, in turn, lead to
worsening health and eventually death. Zhao and colleagues did a study to determine the
association between health outcomes and socioeconomic disadvantage in Australia. Their study
found a strong link between low socioeconomic status and morbidity and mortality. They
unravelled that the economically disadvantaged people in Northern Territory of Australia (NT)
are more likely to face mortality than the affluent counterparts (Zhao, You, Wright, Guthridge, &
Lee, 2013).
Conclusion
Conclusively, economic inequality is a key threat to good health in the society. This
finding indicates that good health can be promoted by addressing the economic inequality. In
Australia, the poor access to health by the aboriginal community can be addressed by
empowering them economically and their increasing education level.

NURSING ASSIGNMENT 12
References
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policy. Annual review of public health , 33, 7-40.
Cooke, H. (1993). Why teach sociology. Nurse Education Today , 13, 210-216.
Green, B., & Earle, S. (2005). Why Should Nurses Study Socioloy? In E. Denney, & S. Earle,
Sociology for Nurses. Cambridge, UK: Polity Press.
Hunt, P. (2006). The Human Rights to the Highest Attainable Standards of Health: New
opportunities and challenges. Journal of the Royal Society of Tropicla Medicine and
Hygiene , 100, 603-607.
Irwin, L. (2007). Homophobia and Heterosexim: Implications for nursing and nursing practice.
Australian Journal of Advanced Nursing (25), 70-76.
Ivanov, L., & Oden, T. (2013). Public health nursing, ethics and human rights. Public Health
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Jabson, J., Mitchell, J., & Doty, S. (2016). Associations between non-discrimination and training
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patients: a comparison of physicians from two hospitals. BMC public health , 16 (1), 256.
Johnston, V., Allotey, P., Mulholland, K., & Markovic, M. (2009). Measuring the health impact
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methods study. BMC international health and human rights , 9 (1), 1.

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Kismödi, E., Cottingham, J., Gruskin, S., & Miller, A. (2015). Advancing sexual health through
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Leeder, S. (2003). Achieving Equity in the Australian Healthcare System. Medical Journal of
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