HPHE1IDH: Reflective Piece on Individual Determinants of Health

This assignment is a reflective piece on individual determinants of health within a healthcare context, focusing on a student's experience with a patient named Rosa. The reflection covers the importance of effective communication, accurate assessment, and collaboration in patient care. It delves into the student's initial feelings of anxiety and uncertainty, contrasting them with the eventual confidence gained through successful intervention. The piece also identifies areas for personal and systemic improvement, emphasizing the need for quicker response times and enhanced preparedness in emergency situations. The student acknowledges the significance of maintaining a calm environment and fostering strong communication among healthcare providers, patients, and their families. Desklib provides access to similar solved assignments and past papers for students.

Running head: INDIVIDUAL DETERMINANTS OF HEALTH 1
Individual Determinants of Health
Student’s Name
Institutional Affiliations

INDIVIDUAL DETERMINANTS OF HEALTH 2
Individual Determinants of Health
Health care is one of the most critical professionals which require great attentiveness,
kindness, respect, cooperation, collaboration, and effective communication skills. During my
final placement, I encountered Rosa who was readmitted in the hospital through the emergency
department for tightness of chest as well as pain. As a supervisor, I had to do everything possible
to assist the patient to overcome the condition. I had to first make accurate chest pain assessment
to aid determine whether the pain was cardiac in nature. I had to do the assessment in a
controlled and calm manner. The maintenance of a controlled and calm environment is very
significant for the patient’s comfort. I had to develop a good rapport with the patient to ask her
questions such as where is the pain. What were you undertaking when the pain began? Does the
pain alter with re-positioning? Because repositioning was improving the chest pain, I fathomed
the issue could be of pleuritic or musculoskeletal origin. I developed a good rapport and
relationship with patient can help to better understand and learn environmental, occupational,
community, and familial contexts in which she patient lives.
After establishing that the chest pain was cardiac in nature, I had to increase the supply of
oxygen to the heart and at the same time decrease oxygen demand through oxygen therapy. I had
to use friendly language to approach the patient. My effective communication played a
formidable role in diagnosis as well as treatment of the patient. By using effective
communication, which is precise, direct and clear, I was able to get appropriate information
which I used for diagnosis and disease treatment. In the same vein, effective communication
between the patient and I enhanced the patient’s wellbeing, trust, safety, and comfort. Notably,
the effective communication between the patient and I was vital for a successful outcome. I had
also to assist the patient’s family members by demonstrating sincerity, kindness, honesty, and

INDIVIDUAL DETERMINANTS OF HEALTH 3
courtesy. I devoted my time to the patient and communicated with the indispensable
confidentiality. My engagement included people who surrounded the patient and I ensured that
my language of communication was understood by all the individuals involved in the situation.
After developing a favorable I reported to a senior physician for further assessment.
My feelings for the patient were accompanied by the “need for help.” The patient was
seriously feeling pain accompanied by discomfort in her back, neck, arms, and shoulders. On
my initial encounter with Rosa, I felt she was undergoing a life-threatening experience. I was
disenchanted that Rosa had not been taken to the hospital at the right time. During the first
interaction, I was frightened since I never felt in full control of the status quo. I was awfully
worried due to the thrilling symptoms which the patient was exhibiting. At one time, I panicked
since my early intervention did not appear to assist the patient because her symptoms heightened.
Nevertheless, after Rosa started to indicate improvement signs, my confidence and poise grew
because I was able to proficiently handle the situation.
The positive aspects of the care incidence were the quick response of the health care
team particularly in handling the situation as well as the manner in which the critical
interventions normalized the patient in a shorter duration. Another positive thing involves the
way I was able to conduct an accurate chest pain assessment to determine that the pain was
cardiac in nature. The assessment aided in calming the symptoms and made the patient feel
better. In the same token, my confidence in tackling the incidence significantly increased during
the event and I applied my knowledge and skills in handling the incidence. Besides, the
positives, the negatives also existed. One negative I experienced from the incidence was my
initial nervousness in handling the patient and also the long duration it took Rosa to arrive at the
healthcare facility in spite of her severe condition.

INDIVIDUAL DETERMINANTS OF HEALTH 4
It is worthwhile mentioning that the opportune interventions of healthcare team aided
to control or contain the situation as well as stabilize or calm the patient. The Gylceryl trinitrate
which was used as a sublingual spray and administered through intravenous infusions was
effective in managing the patient’s symptoms. The condition of the patient was severe due to her
surgical operation and susceptibility to cold weather condition. I realized that the relaxed and
calm environment was important for handling the situation. I also noticed that effective
communication and collaboration was a crucial aspect of the provision of care.
I conclude that the patient ought to have been brought to the healthcare facility fast to
shun the escalation of the symptoms. The Gylceryl trinitrate could also have been prepared
earlier and ready for usage to aid in the situations of chest pain. On my part, I think I should have
handled the situation with more composure and confidence in the first stages. I have learnt from
the incidence that effective communication and collaboration among the health care providers is
of significant importance.
In the future, each incidence will have to be tackled or handled with a greater degree of
self-assurance and confidence to aid improves the responses to emergency incidences and also
reassures the patients and family members. Additionally, the communication between the health
care providers themselves, the patient and his or her family members will have to offer more
reputation. Lastly, the hospital will have to sufficiently prepare for any emergency medical
incidences by making the necessary tools always ready.