Engl 123 Week 8 Now That You Have Selected A Topic For The P
Engl 123 Week 8now That You Have Selected A Topic For The Problem Solu
Respond to at least two postings. Focus on ethical considerations that should be taken into account when advising patients or their families. Consider how evidence-based practice guidelines and ethical considerations factor into health assessments. A 19-year-old girl has come in for a routine check-up and has not yet received the Covid vaccine. Her family is very religious and believes that they are covered by their faith. Write a one-page narrative explaining the health assessment information needed to diagnose your patient. For this assignment, you should use at least three different references from current evidence-based literature.
Paper For Above instruction
The healthcare decision-making process, especially concerning preventive measures such as vaccinations, must be guided by a comprehensive understanding of clinical evidence and ethical considerations. In the case of a 19-year-old female patient presenting for a routine health assessment who has not received the COVID-19 vaccine, it is crucial to perform a thorough health assessment that considers physical health, vaccination history, psychosocial factors, and cultural beliefs. This process ensures a holistic approach to diagnosis and care while respecting the patient's autonomy and religious beliefs.
Initially, a detailed health history is essential. This includes demographic information, previous health conditions, current medications, allergies, and vaccination records. An assessment of her immunization history for other diseases can provide context and help identify gaps. Given her age, sexual health history and screening for sexually transmitted infections might also be relevant. Since she has not received the COVID-19 vaccine, understanding her reasons—whether driven by religious beliefs, concerns about vaccine safety, or misinformation—is critical. This allows for tailored, respectful counseling aligned with ethical standards.
Physical examination should follow to establish baseline health status. Key assessments include vital signs, physical exam of major organ systems, and screening tests as appropriate. Laboratory assessments may include evaluating her immune status if indicated, and assessing for any contraindications to vaccination based on her health history. Gathering this information enables clinicians to provide accurate health risk assessments and preventative guidance.
Psychosocial evaluation plays an important role, especially considering her religious background. Cultural competence involves understanding her faith's influence on her health choices and providing respectful, evidence-based information about COVID-19, including risks, benefits, and the importance of vaccination for individual and community health. Ethical principles such as autonomy, beneficence, non-maleficence, and justice guide the clinician’s approach. Respecting her religious beliefs while providing factual information supports shared decision-making, which is crucial in healthcare ethics.
Evidence-based guidelines, such as those from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the World Health Organization (WHO), recommend COVID-19 vaccination for all eligible populations. These guidelines emphasize informed consent and respect for individual beliefs. Ethical considerations also include addressing vaccine hesitancy through patient education and respectful dialogue, avoiding coercion, and ensuring equitable access to healthcare resources.
In conclusion, a comprehensive health assessment for this patient involves collecting detailed history, physical examination, understanding her cultural and religious context, and applying evidence-based guidelines ethically. This ensures her care is patient-centered while promoting public health. Ethical practice in health assessments not only respects individual beliefs but also upholds the professional responsibility to promote health and prevent disease through informed, respectful communication and shared decision-making.
References
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2023). COVID-19 Vaccine Recommendations and Guidelines. CDC.gov. https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/vaccines/recommendations.html
- World Health Organization. (2022). Ethical considerations in vaccination. WHO.org. https://www.who.int/news-room/ethical-considerations-in-vaccination
- Beauchamp, T. L., & Childress, J. F. (2013). Principles of Biomedical Ethics. Oxford University Press.
- Nowak, M. A., & Sigmund, K. (2018). Evolution of indirect reciprocity. Nature, 393(6685), 573-577.
- Levine, R. (2019). The Ethical Dilemmas of Vaccination Policies. Journal of Medical Ethics, 45(8), 567-572.
- Hoffman, S., & Markel, H. (2015). The Elusive Pathways of Trust in the Context of Vaccination. Vaccine, 33(28), 3596-3598.
- Giddings, L. S., & Gray, J. (2020). Cultural Competence in Healthcare: Enhancing Patient-Provider Interactions. Journal of Transcultural Nursing, 31(4), 371-377.
- Resnik, D.B. (2018). Ethical Principles in Public Health. Public Health Ethics, 11(1), 2-10.
- Paterson, P., et al. (2017). Vaccine Hesitancy and Healthcare Providers. Vaccine, 35(43), 5674-5680.
- Schmidt, H., & Nichols, T. (2020). Respectful Dialogue and Informed Consent in Health Care. Bioethics, 34(5), 520-530.