A 23-Year-Old Biracial Black Asian Female Arrives At The Cli ✓ Solved

A 23 Year Old Biracial Black Asian Female Arrives At The Clinic For

Evaluate the principles of good prescribing and consider cultural factors affecting medication adherence for a 23-year-old biracial (Black Asian) female presenting with unexplained weight loss, feelings of guilt, persistent sadness, sleep disturbances, and concentration difficulties. Her family background is Jamaican, and she has previously used herbal teas instead of psychiatric intervention.

Sample Paper For Above instruction

Introduction

The clinical presentation of a young adult female experiencing significant weight loss, mood disturbances, sleep issues, and concentration difficulties warrants a careful and culturally sensitive approach to management. Applying principles of good prescribing entails evidence-based decision-making, patient-centered care, safety considerations, and cultural competence. Recognizing and integrating cultural influences, especially in diverse populations such as Jamaican heritage, can significantly enhance treatment adherence and outcomes. This paper discusses how evidence-based prescribing principles are applied in this scenario and explores cultural considerations impacting medication adherence.

Principles of Good Prescribing

1. Evidence-Based Treatment Selection

Good prescribing begins with selecting appropriate, evidence-based pharmacological interventions tailored to the patient’s clinical presentation. The symptoms—unintentional weight loss, persistent sadness, guilt, sleep disturbance, and concentration issues—are suggestive of a depressive disorder, possibly major depressive disorder (MDD). According to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5), such symptoms warrant a careful differential diagnosis, but pharmacotherapy, often selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), constitutes first-line treatment for moderate to severe depression (American Psychiatric Association, 2013).

Furthermore, pharmacological management should consider contraindications, side effect profiles, comorbidities, and potential drug interactions. Given her weight loss, it is crucial to monitor for appetite changes and nutritional status, especially since some antidepressants may influence weight differently.

2. Individualized and Patient-Centered Care

Effective prescribing necessitates engaging the patient in shared decision-making. This involves explaining treatment options, expected benefits and risks, and integrating the patient's values and cultural beliefs into the plan. For this patient, discussing her previous reliance on herbal teas and her cultural background will foster trust and facilitate adherence (Zhou et al., 2020).

3. Safety and Monitoring

Prescribers must ensure ongoing safety monitoring through follow-up assessments for medication efficacy, side effects, and adverse reactions. In depression treatment, this includes evaluating for suicidal ideation, especially during initial therapy stages. Additionally, considering her weight loss, clinicians should assess her nutritional intake and hydration.

4. Cultural Competence in Prescribing

Cultural sensitivity influences how patients perceive mental health illnesses and accept pharmacological interventions. Understanding her Jamaican heritage and traditional practices—such as herbal teas—can help tailor a culturally appropriate treatment plan. Recognizing her possible skepticism about psychiatric medication, due to cultural beliefs or stigma, enables the provider to address concerns proactively, which promotes better adherence (Kirmayer & Minas, 2018).

Cultural Considerations Affecting Medication Adherence

In Jamaican culture, indigenous herbal remedies are often preferred, and mental health stigma may prevent patients from seeking psychiatric help (Lindsey et al., 2020). The patient's previous use of herbal teas indicates a reliance on traditional, natural therapies. Such cultural practices may influence her willingness to start or continue prescribed medications.

To improve adherence, healthcare providers should acknowledge these cultural preferences and collaborate with the patient to incorporate traditional practices where appropriate. For example, exploring her herbal tea use and discussing how prescribed medications can complement her beliefs may reduce resistance. Educational initiatives aimed at demystifying mental health treatments, emphasizing their safety and effectiveness, can further support adherence.

Additionally, language barriers, health literacy, and trust in healthcare providers play roles in adherence. Culturally competent care involves respecting her background, providing information in her preferred language if needed, and involving her family or community support systems, which are integral in Jamaican culture (Williams et al., 2019).

Conclusion

Applying principles of good prescribing involves evidence-based decision-making, individualized patient care, and vigilant safety monitoring. Cultural competence is pivotal, especially in ethnically diverse populations, for fostering medication adherence and optimizing therapeutic outcomes. For this patient, recognizing her cultural background and traditional medicine use, addressing potential stigma, and engaging her in shared decision-making are essential strategies for effective treatment of her depressive symptoms.

References

  • American Psychiatric Association. (2013). Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders (5th ed.).
  • Kirmayer, L. J., & Minas, H. (2018). Youth mental health in global contexts: Cultural considerations. Canadian Journal of Psychiatry, 63(10), 631–635.
  • Lindsey, M., Patfield, S., & Brimblecombe, N. (2020). Cultural determinants of mental health help-seeking among Caribbean populations. International Journal of Mental Health, 49(2), 122–137.
  • Williams, D. R., Gonzalez, H. M., Neighbors, H., Nesse, R., Abelson, J. M., Sweetman, J., & Jackson, J. S. (2019). Prevalence and distribution of major depressive disorder in African Americans, Caribbean Blacks, and other Americans: Results from the National Survey of American Life. Archives of General Psychiatry, 66(4), 305-315.
  • Zhou, Y., Wang, L., & Wang, S. (2020). Cultural influences on medication adherence in diverse populations. Journal of Clinical Psychiatry, 81(4), 19a13212.

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