Optimal Patient’s Healthcare Experience
Each person has certain values and beliefs that shape his/her personal and professional life. At that, it is also possible to adopt certain beliefs and values, to ensure effective functioning and achievement of professional goals. As far as the creation of an optimal patient’s healthcare experience, the health care professional should have the following values: focus on compassion, cultural competence and holistic aspects. Any health care practitioner should remember that patients need specific care and compassion as they are often in pain and rather lost in their fears concerning their health or even life. Dewar and Nolan (2013) argue that compassionate relationships with patients are vital for the delivery of high-quality health care services as they result in a faster healing process. The focus on cultural competence is also critical as health care professionals should understand that their patients may have different views on various aspects, and it is essential to address these cultural difference to make sure that the patient understands the benefits and hazards associated with different treatment plans and procedures (Kirmayer, 2012; Jeffreys, 2015). Finally, the focus on the holistic aspects is crucial as it enables the health care practitioner to improve the patient’s mood, emotional and physical state. Some non-traditional procedures should become a part of health care services delivery.
Interprofessional Teams
When it comes to working within interprofessional teams, the health care professional should have the following beliefs. First, the belief in the scientific approach is critical as it enables practitioners to have a similar approach to various issues. The use of this paradigm allows professionals to collaborate effectively and follow particulars steps when addressing a problem (Douglas & Singh, 2014). Secondly, practitioners should share the belief that biomedical, social and spirituals aspects of people’s health are equally important. Health care professionals should try to address all the three elements to ensure the patients’ well-being and health. Thirdly, the belief that the diversity of the US society is one of its strengths can help health care professionals collaborate effectively through working in interprofessional (and often cross-cultural) teams (Purnell, 2014). Practitioners will share views and knowledge that can help them deliver health care services in a more efficient way. Importantly, people pertaining to different cultural backgrounds, who are culturally competent and ready to learn more, will inevitably take into account all the three elements of health, which will result in better outcomes for the patient.
US Health Care System
As to the entire system and the provision of adequate health care services to everyone, it is possible to consider the following beliefs. Americans’ “strong belief in capitalism” makes them see health care as “an economic good” rather than a public resource, which leads to the inequality as people having different income have access to different types of health care services (Douglas & Singh, 2014, p. 63). However, this belief should be changed, and people should understand that health cannot be a product to buy as it is the future of the entire nation and the foundation of its greatness or survival, so-to-speak. The belief concerning the need to help those in need is one of the pillars of the US health care system, and it should be enhanced (Shi & Singh, 2015). The development of various public programs addresses the needs of underprivileged groups, which has a positive effect on the development of communities and the entire society. Finally, the belief that individual health should be the primary focus has to be changed. People should start focusing on the health of the community. The US health care system will benefit from the adoption of this approach as the programs will address the needs of communities rather than individuals or a number of the most vulnerable groups. A more holistic approach to health will make the US health care system more efficient.
Personal Bias
It is necessary to note that all people have biases, and I am no exception. I have to admit that I hold quite a firm belief in individualism that is in conflict with my belief that the community and the entire society should always be central. Thus, the issues associated with responsibility can be hard to solve for me. On the one hand, I believe that every individual has the right to make decisions concerning his/her health. These decisions should be respected. On the other hand, the decisions of the individual can be in conflict with the needs or the perspective of the community. It will be hard for me to decide whether the individual’s decision should be followed or the community’s one. Besides, I also believe that some groups of people can hardly be responsible for their well-being, and other individuals should decide. This is especially the case with the elderly and people with disabilities. I have to admit that I tend to think that these people can make only limited decisions concerning their treatment. At present, I am trying to change my views on the matter and develop a more coherent paradigm since I am torn between quite conflicting views.
References
Dewar, B., & Nolan, M. (2013). Caring about caring: Developing a model to implement compassionate relationship centred care in an older people care setting. International Journal of Nursing Studies, 50(9), 1247-1258.
Douglas, A., & Singh, D. (2014). Delivering health care in America. Sudbury, MA: Jones and Bartlett Publishers.
Jeffreys, M.R. (2015). Teaching cultural competence in nursing and health care. New York, NY: Springer Publishing Company.
Kirmayer, L.J. (2012). Rethinking cultural competence. Transcultural Psychiatry, 49(2), 149-164.
Purnell, L.D. (2014). Guide to culturally competent health care. Philadelphia, PA: F.A. Davis Co.
Shi, L., & Singh, D. (2015). Essentials of the US health care system. Sudbury, MA: Jones and Bartlett Publishers.