Case Study: Daniel, Healthcare, and Biopsychosocial Model

This case study focuses on Daniel, a patient suffering from multiple chronic conditions including obesity, hypertension, recurring bronchitis, and mental health concerns stemming from his lifestyle and financial instability. The assignment explores the application of the biopsychosocial model of care to address Daniel's complex needs, encompassing biological, psychological, and social factors. It outlines a comprehensive treatment plan involving dietary modifications, medication management, physiotherapy, counseling, and addiction therapy. The case study emphasizes the importance of interdisciplinary care, health education, and family involvement to improve Daniel's overall well-being and quality of life. The assignment also includes a letter to Daniel outlining the proposed care plan and a referral letter to a mental health clinic, illustrating the practical application of the biopsychosocial model in healthcare settings.

Running head: CASE STUDY OF DANIEL
CASE STUDY OF DANIEL
Name of the student:
Name of the university:
Author note:

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CASE STUDY OF DANIEL
Part One:
Individuals of the present generation are seen to suffer form a large number of co morbid
disorder which are chronic and tend to destroy the quality of life for many individuals. It is found
that not only biological factors but also a large number of psychological and social issues also
play a very big role and therefore it is very important for the health professionals to develop a
bio-psycho-social model of care for the patients so that they may live better lives. This
assignment will show the various ailments that Daniel has and how the diagnosed ailment will
affect him and his family. It will also discuss how a perfect model of care would help him to
overcome the health issues and keep them under control.
One of the most important chronic ailments that Daniel is facing is the issue of obesity as
the case study shows that he is overweight with the presence of abdominal fat. He has another
chronic ailment of hypertension and therefore he was prescribed antihypertensive medication but
he seldom takes them. He also has chronic issues like lower back pain and arthritic knees which
have mainly occurred due to his intensive working schedules and his playing football in the
younger years. Another important chronic disorder found in the patient is the continuous
recurring bronchitis which is actually the earlier form of emphysema.
It is seen that Daniel is suffering from a large number of chronic ailments. The presence
of his ailments had taken away his power to work better as an unhealthy human being can never
provide the same productivity like that of a healthy human being (Hamine et al., 2015). He often
tends to miss out his hypertension medication. From this it is evident that he is not literate
enough to understand the importance of his medication on his health. Moreover, as he had not
completed his education, he is not being able to properly guide his life with the correct lifestyles.

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Improper diet and lifestyle have made him to gain weight and the situation had become worse as
fat accumulation is even found now in the arteries disrupting the flow of blood through the blood
vessel and hence occurrence of myocardial infarction took place (DelRio et al., 2013). However
the financial condition of Daniel does not support him to take rehabilation as he has no earning
members of the family. This would make him more susceptible to ill health and he might face
any adverse situation at any unfortunate moment in life. His partner Alma had lost her job and
unable to get new one. Hence she had developed depression. Therefore it is seen that both the
partners are suffering massively which had a negative impact on emotional and mental health
(Zwerink et al., 2014). As Alma is herself depressed, she is not being able to provide the best
companionship to her partner and therefore a sense of detachment and issues are found among
the partners (Zwar et al., 2017). Therefore, Daniel is not only at risk of cardiovascular disorders
due to his chronic ailments like obesity, emphysema due to his smoking habits, arthritis and low
back pain due to his strenuous workloads but is also at a risk of developing mental disorders.
Part two:
In the present decade, western healthcare has been seen to adapt the technique of
biopsychosocial model of care. It is entirely different form the biomedical model of care which
looks at disorders of human beings as the reason of microbial attacks or due to different
physiological or metabolic failures (Pincus et al., 2016). Bio-pshyco-social model of treatment
not only provided treatment interventions to overcome the biological symptoms of the patients

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but also helps to care for the different psychological issues faced by the patients . It also tends to
develop an idea about the social lives of the patients so that important social aspects that often
produce negative impacts on the patients are attended and interventions are therefore designed
keeping the tree aspects in mind. It helps in providing a comprehensive care which helps to attain
the best quality lives (Suls et al., 2013).
In the case study, it is seen that Daniel is suffering from obesity due to improper lifestyle.
Due to his lack of education about taking correct diet and financial instability, they are not being
able to buy quality foods. Excessive work load has resulted in muscle tear ad wear causing lower
back pain and arthritis. Continuous alcohol drinking and addiction has resulted in the recurrence
of chronic bronchitis which will lead to emphysema. Besides, he is also a sufferer of
hypertension. Therefore, the nurse have to prepare interventions for chronic ailments by properly
helping in medication administrations, conducting health education meetings with him and
frequently setting up appointments to evaluate the condition of his health (Litten et al., 2015).
Rehabilitation in the presence of interdisciplinary team is excessively important but however the
patient would not be able to afford it. The nurse should fix up a proper counseling sessions where
he can reveal his frustrations and anxieties. He is seen to have many grudges against his wife and
hence this open discussion would help to develop idea about his inner feelings and his mental
state. The counselor would try to help him to manage his life properly with the ailments and at
the same time lead a cheerful life. Moreover the nurses should also have discussions with the
families about how to cope with the situation successfully so that everyone may help each other
to come out of the strenuous financial crisis (Van Wormer & Davis, 2016). Besides, he also
needs to consult an addiction counselor. He is highly addicted to alcohol and therefore various
therapies need to be introduced so that he can overcome the habit of drinking. Besides

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medications, the patient should be advised with cognitive behavioral therapy, motivational
enhancement therapy, marital as well as family counseling therapy and also brief intervention
therapies. Besides, the nurse should introduce proper health education for the family members
and also encourage them to go for social meetings together in order to develop the bonds. Low
income, alcohol addiction and lack of education are the recognized social determinants of health
for the patient and therefore the nurse should introduce interventions which accommodates in
their financial income, help him to overcome addiction with therapies and properly provide them
health literacy education to give them good quality life.
Therefore from the discussions, it can be seen that patients who suffer from co morbidity
disorders are affected not only physically but they also suffer from different social as well as
psychological issues. Daniel’s co morbid disorders were affecting him as well as his son and
wife. His wife also had depression. All these had resulted in poor quality life of the family.
Hence treating him with bio- psycho -social model of care and addressing different facts of the
diseases individually helps him to gain stability in his life.
Part three:
Dear Daniel,
As per the meeting we had on Thursday evening, we had come to the conclusion
that we will be providing you the bio-pshyco-social model of care. This care will have a
comprehensive approach and will help you to cope with not only the physical issues that you are
facing but will also help you to overcome your mental and emotional turmoil. As per the
discussion we had, you would be directed to the dietician who would be providing you with a

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detailed nutritious diet plan to maintain your diet and will also educate you with right kind of
exercise needed. We will also advice you with proper medication for your low back pain and
arthritis and also advice you with light exercises to overcome the pain. Besides, if you allow us,
we will fix up physiotherapy sessions with you for your benefit. Proper medication for
hypertensions would be advised to you and you need to be very careful with it. Otherwise you
may face serious conditions with your cardiac system.
Besides, we will also be fixing up therapy sessions with you to make you overcome your
drinking habits as they are affecting your condition of the respiratory system. Besides this, I
would also provide you details about how you can manage your symptoms properly and
understand how you will be able to prevent any adverse effects on your health in the future.
Moreover, you would also be undergoing counseling sessions along with your family members
separately so that you can disclose your feelings and overcome any emotional or mental turmoil
faced by you. The counselor would also help you to gain a new insight of your life which is very
necessary for you to overcome the stress and the anxiety you are facing. Following the above
mentioned procedure will help you to regain back a quality life
Regards,
Samantha,
Your nursing attendant.
Referral letter to mental health clinic for appointment with the counselor:
Respected Sir,

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CASE STUDY OF DANIEL
Counselor:
235 Bloomsberry lane, avenue 3
20th September 2017
Dear Mr. Lee,
I am thankful for your acceptance in providing care for Daniel and making his mental condition
stable. He is a 52 year old man and had gone though acute myocardial infarction. He is also
going through financial crisis.
History:
His father suffered from cardiovascular disease.
He is overweight.
He has a strenuous relationship with his wife and often engages in heated arguments.
Loss of his wife’s job created financial pressure on him.
He is highly concerned about his son.
He has stated that he does not have time to participate in his rehabilitation program.
He is a chain smoker.
Requested service:
Although the biological and physical symptoms are cared for by us, I request you to develop a
plan for him to overcome his addiction.

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It would be also helpful if you engage in a counseling session with the patient and try to help him
regain his mental stability and help him with his personal problems. I hope a patient with more
mental stability will respond fast to any treatments.
It would be helpful if you meet him in his working place and have your sessions.
I look forward for your conclusions.
If you are in need of more information, please feel free to contact me.
Regards,
Samantha,
Registered nurse,
XYZ Healthcare center.

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(2013). Dietary (poly) phenolics in human health: structures, bioavailability, and

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