South Rn N W Hampshir Univ Rsity Hcm 440 Ournal Rubricjourn ✓ Solved

In this course, journal activities are private between students and the instructor. These assignment topics will serve as personal reflections on your knowledge and experience relating to healthcare. Please include evidence-based sources as well as your own reflections on the topic. APA format is to be used for the references and in-text citations.

Paper For Above Instructions

The integration of personal experiences and evidence-based knowledge is crucial in nursing and healthcare education. This journal provides an opportunity to reflect on personal insights related to healthcare and intertwine them with current research findings. Through this reflective practice, I aim to deepen my understanding of the healthcare field and improve my professional competency.

Healthcare, as an evolving field, necessitates a commitment to continuous learning and personal reflection. It is essential for healthcare professionals to assimilate new knowledge from credible sources to improve patient care. For this journal, I will explore the intersection of my personal experiences in a healthcare setting and align them with current practices supported by evidence-based research.

One significant personal experience was working closely with a patient who faced chronic illness. This experience illuminated the importance of patient-centered care, which emphasizes the patient's role in their own health management. Evidence-based literature supports this approach, indicating that engaging patients in their care processes leads to better health outcomes (McCormack et al., 2015). Interventions that promote patient involvement not only enhance satisfaction but also foster adherence to treatments.

Furthermore, understanding the strengths and weaknesses in current healthcare systems is essential. A critical evaluation of the healthcare delivery system reveals several strengths, such as advancements in technology, which have improved diagnostic capabilities and treatment options. However, weaknesses include accessibility issues and disparities in care, particularly among marginalized populations (Davis et al., 2014). Addressing these disparities is paramount for creating a more equitable healthcare system.

Research indicates that social determinants significantly influence health outcomes. For instance, socioeconomic status, education, and geographic location can have profound effects on an individual’s access to healthcare services (Marmot, 2015). My personal experience with patients from various backgrounds has highlighted the need for healthcare professionals to adopt a holistic perspective, considering these factors when planning and delivering care.

The importance of mental health in conjunction with physical health has also become increasingly clear through both personal experience and recent research. The World Health Organization emphasizes that mental health is as important as physical health, and both domains should be treated with equal importance (WHO, 2019). Reflecting on my experiences with patients who struggle with mental health issues reveals the complexities involved in treating such conditions alongside physical ailments. Effective interdisciplinary collaboration is essential to address both aspects adequately.

Moreover, the challenge of keeping up with evolving healthcare laws and policies is a pertinent issue. A reflection on the Affordable Care Act (ACA) and its implications reveals both positive outcomes and areas needing improvement. The ACA has expanded access to healthcare for millions; however, challenges remain regarding the quality of care and cost efficiency (Blumenthal et al., 2015). My role as a future healthcare professional will require me to stay informed about these developments to advocate for patients effectively.

Evidently, collaboration and communication are fundamental in healthcare settings. My encounters with healthcare teams underline the necessity of open dialogues and cooperative approaches across different disciplines. Evidence points out that effective teamwork is associated with improved patient outcomes and enhanced job satisfaction among healthcare providers (Reeves et al., 2016). These experiences reinforce the idea that interprofessional education should be an integral part of healthcare training programs to cultivate these skills early on.

As I continue to engage in this reflective practice, I recognize the necessity of grounding my personal experiences with evidence-based literature. The integration of research findings not only enhances my understanding but also informs my future practice. By relying on credible sources, I can ensure that my personal reflections are not solely anecdotal but also informed by rigorous research.

In conclusion, reflective journaling serves as an essential tool for personal and professional growth in the healthcare field. It allows for the merging of personal experiences with evidence-based knowledge, paving the way for improved practice. Moving forward, I will commit to continuous learning and reflection, ensuring that my practice remains aligned with current research and principles of patient-centered care.

References

  • Blumenthal, D., Collins, S. R., Hodgkin, D., & Hewitt, M. (2015). Health care coverage under the Affordable Care Act — a progress report. New England Journal of Medicine, 373(2), 123-132.

  • Davis, K., Schoen, C., & Stremikis, K. (2014). Health policy brief: The Affordable Care Act and disparities in health care. Health Affairs, 33(10), 1744-1750.

  • McCormack, B., McCance, T., & Wright, J. (2015). A conceptual framework for person-centered practice in health and social care. Journal of Nursing and Care Quality, 30(1), 32-39.

  • Marmot, M. (2015). The health gap: The challenge of an unequal world. The Lancet, 386(10011), 2442-2444.

  • Reeves, S., Pelone, F., Harrison, R., & Goldman, J. (2016). Interprofessional collaboration to improve professional practice and healthcare outcomes. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, 3, CD000072.

  • World Health Organization (WHO). (2019). Mental health: Strengthening our response. Retrieved from https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/mental-health-strengthening-our-response.