Influence of Age on Health Care: Interview
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Influence of Age on Health Care: Interview
Various stages exist in life. Erikson’s model of psychosocial developmental stages describes the childhood stage as eight stages of life broadly categorized into childhood, adolescence, and adulthood (Bates et al., 2018). The authors further state that healthcare needs differ in the . To better understand how stages of life influence health care from a patient’s perspective, I interviewed my neighbor, Ms. X. Smith, a 56 years old African American female. Before the interview commenced, I sought Ms. Smith’s informed consent.
Ms. Smith’s Responses
In her response to whether her stage of life influenced her relationship with healthcare professionals, Ms. X. Smith (Personal communication, April 8, 2022) stated No. She continued that she was in her early 40s when she started developing health issues. According to Bates et al., 2018), healthcare utilization tremendously increases in adulthood. Additionally, in late adulthood, health needs are immense due to the effects of aging and low immunity. She stated that she could control her health issues with her doctor’s advice, guidance and medical attention, prescriptions, and recommendations.
In response to the advice provided, Ms. X. Smith (Personal communication, April 8, 2022) stated that she was recommended to adopt a healthy diet and exercise routine to help with her health and different health issues. She was also met in different classes where she was educated on understanding her health issues and how to maintain a healthy life. Ms. Smith added that the advice helped her improve and that she understands how she can incorporate diet and exercises to help her feel better and prevent the worsening of her current condition. Health education creates patients’ awareness and enables them to take control of their wellness (Paterick et al., 2017). Ms. Smith appreciates her awareness of signs and symptoms that may require her to see her doctor.
Regarding the areas of the hospital or clinic she was mostly visited for her well-being and feelings, Ms. Smith recalls her encounter with her healthcare providers. Ms. X. Smith (Personal communication, April 8, 2022) stated that she often visits a regular hospital containing doctors and nurses and a separate facility specializing in heart issues with one specific nurse. She added that the specific nurse had a lifelong effect on her life and described her as an angel God put in her path to get her through the difficult times. She attributes her satisfaction to the great treatment she receives from the nurses in the facility.
When asked about her family’s involvement in her care during her hospital stay and visit, Ms. Smith gladly responded. Ms. X. Smith (Personal communication, April 8, 2022) stated “yes.” Family involvement promotes patients’ health, medication compliance, and quality of life (Prior & Campbell, 2018). She added that the hospital allowed her family members to be with her anytime during her hospital stay. They were made comfortable, welcomed, and nicely treated. Additionally, the hospital staff was polite to them, and the nurses were helpful, understanding and took the time to explain things when we didn’t understand.
Lastly, in her response to whether her family was involved in her discharge instructions, she stated, “Yes.” Family involvement in discharge instructions motivates them and actively involves them in the care of the patients, which promises compliance and reduces hospital readmissions (Prior & Campbell, 2018). Ms. X. Smith (Personal communication, April 8, 2022) stated that they were instructed on how to care for her and the signs and symptoms that need her to see the doctor.
This step marked the end of the interview. I asked Ms. Smith, “Do you have any questions?” She stated, “No.” I appreciated her by thanking her for her cooperation throughout the interview. She was also delighted to have interacted with me.
References
Bates, R. A., Blair, L. M., Schlegel, E. C., McGovern, C. M., Nist, M. D., Sealschott, S., & Arcoleo, K. (2018). Nursing across the lifespan: Implications of life course theory for nursing research. Journal of Pediatric Health Care, 32(1), 9297. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pedhc.2017.07.006.
Paterick, T. E., Patel, N., Tajik, A. J., & Chandrasekaran, K. (2017). Improving health outcomes through patient education and partnerships with patients.Proceedings,30(1), 112113. https://doi.org/10.1080/08998280.2017.11929552
Prior, S. J., & Campbell, S. (2018). Patient and family involvement: A discussion of the co-led redesign of healthcare services. Journal of Participatory Medicine, 10(1), e5. https://doi.org/10.2196/jopm.8957
World Health Organization. (2021, January 18). Adolescent and young adult health. https://www.who.detail