Prior To Beginning Work On This Discussion, Read Chapters 1 ✓ Solved
Prior to beginning work on this discussion, read Chapters 1
Prior to beginning work on this discussion, read Chapters 1 and 2 from the course textbook, the Law and Health Policy web page, and review this week’s Instructor Guidance. Using the course textbook as your source, choose one of the chronic conditions found in Chapters 3 through 10 and then answer the bulleted prompts below. For this discussion, you will write your initial post on one of the three Bronfenbrenner’s ecological models as assigned in the table.
Bronfenbrenner’s Ecological Model of Human Development First Initial of Last Name: Meso-system. Write your response based on your interpretation of what you read and your personal or professional experiences with the chosen health condition.
Your post must be a minimum of 250 words in length. Identify the chronic condition. Discuss the biopsychosocial (biological/genetic, psychological, social) factors that influence the patient’s experience with the chronic condition chosen. Explain how your assigned system from Bronfenbrenner’s Ecological Model of Human Development affects the onset and management of the chronic disease. For example, if you are assigned the micro-system, explain the role immediate family members and coworkers have in the onset of the disease (negative influence) as well as in positively managing (improving the person’s health) once the disease is diagnosed.
If you are assigned meso-system, give examples, and explain why the patient may start or stop activities (e.g., entertainment, volunteering, sporting activities, etc.) within their greater social circle and community due to the health condition. If you are assigned macro-system, provide a summary of two laws that are in place to support the patient in their daily lives as well as one law that needs to be improved to better support the patient, family or both.
Paper For Above Instructions
In this discussion, I will explore the chronic condition of diabetes mellitus, focusing on the meso-system as defined by Bronfenbrenner’s Ecological Model of Human Development. Diabetes is a complex chronic health condition that requires ongoing management and lifestyle adjustments, significantly impacted by various biopsychosocial factors.
The biopsychosocial model provides a comprehensive framework for understanding how biological/genetic, psychological, and social factors affect an individual’s experience with diabetes. Biologically, diabetes is characterized by high blood glucose levels, resulting from inadequate insulin production or insulin resistance (American Diabetes Association, 2021). Genetic predisposition plays a crucial role, as individuals with a family history of diabetes are more likely to develop the condition themselves (Holt et al., 2017). Psychologically, individuals with diabetes may experience anxiety and depression due to the demands of self-management and fear of complications (Gonzalez et al., 2017). These psychological factors can hinder one’s ability to adhere to treatment protocols, thereby worsening their condition.
On the social level, support systems, including family, friends, and community, can heavily influence the management of diabetes. Within the meso-system, the interactions between different social contexts impact the patient's experience. For instance, a patient may have a supportive family that encourages healthy eating habits and exercise but may also face negative influences from peers who engage in unhealthy behaviors or stigmatization surrounding their condition. This duality often leads to patients feeling isolated, which can cause them to withdraw from social activities such as volunteering or sports, activities that are essential for maintaining not only physical health but also emotional well-being (Bodenheimer et al., 2002).
Furthermore, certain community resources such as support groups and wellness programs may be available to those with diabetes, offering opportunities for positive engagement. Patients might initially participate in these activities but might also withdraw due to the fear of judgment or failure in managing their condition publicly. Thus, the meso-system's dynamic can either encourage or hinder a patient’s health journey. For example, a diabetic patient may stop attending group exercises due to feelings of inadequacy or anxiety about managing their condition in a public setting (Terry et al., 2013).
To foster a healthier management strategy for diabetes, it is crucial to enhance the supportive roles of social networks available to patients. Health care providers can take significant steps by encouraging the involvement of family members in educational sessions about diabetes to foster a more supportive home environment where healthy behaviors become a family norm. The meso-system can also benefit from local community initiatives that emphasize collective efforts in managing chronic conditions, fostering a sense of belonging and responsibility towards health within social circles.
In conclusion, the meso-system significantly influences the onset and management of chronic conditions like diabetes mellitus. By understanding the intertwined social contexts and their impact on individual behavior, we can better facilitate support systems that empower patients in their management of chronic diseases.
References
- American Diabetes Association. (2021). Standards of medical care in diabetes. Diabetes Care, 44(Supplement 1), S1-S232.
- Bodenheimer, T., Lorig, K., Holman, H., & Grumbach, K. (2002). Patient self-management of chronic disease in primary care. Journal of the American Medical Association, 288(19), 2469-2475.
- Gonzalez, J. S., Peyrot, M., & McCarl, L. A. (2017). Diabetic patients' diabetes-related distress and adherence. Diabetes Care, 40(2), 209-216.
- Holt, R. I. G., Cockram, F. R., & Schernthaner, G. (2017). Diabetes mellitus. In Textbook of Diabetes (pp. 1-45). Wiley-Blackwell.
- Terry, D. J., Leary, W. H., & Jagger, L. (2013). The role of social support in managing diabetes in older adults. Diabetes Spectrum, 26(4), 255-261.