Integrated Understanding of Health in Context: A Reflective Summary

As a registered nurse, learning about past, present and future trends in health and healthcare systems are of great importance in defining my nursing practice. For this spring semester, I had the privilege of learning about the foundations of health and health systems in Canada. The foundations of health systems in Canada course provided an overview on health, factors influencing health, and the health systems within the Canadian population. In this course, I was able to examine concepts such as; forming a professional online presence, digital content curation, determinants of health, multilevel approaches in understanding health, chronic diseases, vulnerable populations, and future trends in healthcare. I was able to utilize these concepts in better understanding how the health and overall well-being of individuals and populations can be easily influenced and predicted.

In the 1st, 2nd, 3rd and 4th week of the course, I was introduced to utilizing digital content curation and social media in developing an ePortfolio. Digital content curation is described as a meta-skill of digital literacy involving the use of concepts such as finding, selecting, editorializing, creating and sharing quality content and resources (Digital Content Curation: More Important Than Ever!, 2016). I was able to explore content curation sites such as WordPress, Pocket, google sites and elink; elink becoming the site I would eventually use in curating most of my resources throughout the course. By using elink, I was able to find, select, create and share relevant, interactive and accessible resources online.

On the other hand, social media is viewed as a set of online based technologies and applications that allows participants to interact, create, collaborate and share information virtually in real-time around the world (Canadian Nurses Association, 2012). In developing a professional social media presence, I was able to distinguish the difference between a personal and professional social media presence. I identified the key points in forming a social media identity, as well as reviewed what my classmates in the course identified as important in creating a social media presence. For example, Nancydo14 (2018), expressed the importance of acknowledging and understanding the policies, ethics, legislation and practice standards of your professional organization or college.

In another example, Amandale4 (2018), expressed the need for nurses to follow the Canadian Nurses Association Code of Ethics as a guide when deciding to utilize social media as a nursing professional. As a result, I was able to reflect on the standards of practice applicable in using social media as a registered nurse in Canada. I identified the importance of reviewing the College of Nurses of Ontario standards of practice on social media use, Canadian Nurses Association social media etiquette for registered nurses, and Registered Nurses’ Association of Ontario social media guidelines for nurses.

In the 5th and 6th week of the course, I explored past and present concepts on health and factors influencing health. I was able to analyze the current definition of health and formulate appropriate upgrades that needed to be made to its current definition. The World Health Organization (2018) defined health as a state of complete physical, mental, social well-being, not limited to just the absence of disease or infirmity. I reviewed current literature that identified the limitations and changes needed to be made to the current WHO definition of health. Brüssow (2013) identified that the current WHO definition of health depicted health as something of an illusion, making most of the population appear unhealthy. My classmates in the course were also able to identify and discuss the changes that needed to be made to the current definition of health. Ronakga (2018) identified that the definition of health should include personal and social factors. Nancydo14 (2018) addressed the importance of incorporating one’s ability and skill in managing social, physical, economic and environmental factors in order to properly define health. Health is a concept that cannot be fixed because each individual’s experience of health often varies and adapts (Anonymous, 2009).

In relation to factors influencing health, the key determinants affecting the health of groups and populations was analyzed. The determinants of health is described as a broad range of personal, social, economic and environmental factors that influence how the health of individuals and populations (Government of Canada, 2018). The key determinants identified are income and social status, employment and working conditions, education and literacy, childhood experiences, physical environments, social supports and coping skills, healthy behaviors, access to health services, biology and genetic endowment, gender, and culture (Government of Canada, 2018). In addition, my classmates in the course were yet again able to identify other variables to be considered when determining the health of individuals and groups. Sayyedaal (2018) stressed the importance of taking into consideration the unique determinants of immigrant health. Sayyedaal (2018) identified that the immigrant health is shaped by structural and behavioral determinants. Structural determinants include factors such as age, sex, marital status and cultural origin, while behavioral determinants include lifestyle choices such as smoking, drinking and physical activity (Halli & Anchan, 2005).

In the 7th and 8th week of the course, the multilevel models of health and disease processes were examined. The multilevel model of health is viewed as an approach in understanding health by incorporating biological, geographical, political and temporal factors (Galea, 2015). I was able to identify the ecological model as a multilevel model to health. The ecological model examines how the individual is affected by interactions between individual, interpersonal, social environment, physical environment, and public policies (Tehrani, Majlessi, Shojaeizadeh, Sadeghi, & Hasani, 2016). I was able to depict the connection between these interactions and understanding the health of immigrant women in Canada. The ecological model addresses how individual characteristics and social and physical environments actively influences the health and overall well-being of immigrant women (Thurston & Vissandjée, 2005). In addition, a classmate in the course was also able to apply similar concepts of the ecological model in expressing the health needs of a specific population. Nancydo14 (2018) identified that the social ecological model utilizes concepts focused on individual, interpersonal, organizational, community and policy levels to better understand the health implications of caregivers.

In the 9th week of the course, the relevance of chronic disease and its prevention and management practices were examined. I was able to identify the prevalence of chronic disease within my region and working environment. According to the WHO (2014), the most common chronic diseases are cancer, cardiovascular disease, chronic respiratory disease and diabetes. Upon further review of literature focused on my region of practice, I was able to identify the most common chronic diseases in my area of practice to be cancers, neurological disorders and cardiovascular disease. A classmate in the course was also able to identify the prevalence of chronic disease in another specific region. Wiolettasu (2018) provided supporting literature and statistics that depicted the most common chronic diseases in Manitoba as diabetes, asthma, congestive heart failure, coronary artery disease and hypertension.

In the 10th and 11th week of the course, the health of indigenous peoples and other vulnerable populations was examined. I was able to identify what made certain populations vulnerable in comparison to others. I was able to utilize statistical literature to examine how the health of vulnerable populations is influenced. The determinants of health were a common variable often used in assessing the health of indigenous people in Canada. Health determinants underlying social, economic, cultural and political inequities often lead to negative outcomes in the health of Aboriginal peoples (National Collaborating Centre for Aboriginal Health, 2013). In relation to other vulnerable populations, my classmate in the course; Nazilpa (2018) identified children as a vulnerable population. In Canada, children, pregnant women, aboriginal peoples and seniors are considered vulnerable groups (Government of Canada, 2011). Children are considered vulnerable due to physical, behavioral and environmental factors lead on by their immaturity, physicality and lack of knowledge (Government of Canada, 2011).

In the final week of the course, future directions and trends in healthcare were addressed. I focused on trends that I witness in practice as a registered nurse. I was able find and curate several resources focused on the growing trend of hallway medicine in hospitals in Canada. Hallway medicine is described as the circumstance in which patients admitted in the hospital are allocated to beds in the hallways of units in the hospital when there is overcrowding and limited beds in parts of the hospital. I was able to utilize various news articles, reports and nursing position statements to examine the increasing prevalence of hallway medicine in hospitals. Other health and healthcare related trends identified by classmates included trends in heart disease, mental health, lab sciences, patient engagement, aging and health, etc.

In summary, this course provided a comprehensive overview on the health of the various diverse and unique populations within Canada. I developed a better understanding and ability to study, conceptualize and synthesize factors involved in defining health and health systems in Canada. I have become more aware of complexities involved in forming a social media presence as member of the healthcare profession. I have a better awareness of the vital role nursing standards and ethics play in protecting my practice as a registered nurse. I also truly enjoyed reviewing and utilizing literature and feedback provided by my peers and instructor throughout the course.

References

Amandale4. (2018, May 12). Amanda’s Social Media Plan. Unit 1: Week 2 Forum. Message posted to http://cnhs.lms.athabascau.ca/mod/forum/discuss.php?d=635899

Anonymous. (2009). What is health? The ability to adapt. The Lancet, 373-781. Retrieved from https://www.thelancet.com/pdfs/journals/lancet/PIIS0140-6736(09)60456-6.pdf

Brüssow, H. (2013). What is health? Microbial Biotechnology, 6(4), 341–348. http://doi.org/10.1111/1751-7915.12063

Canadian Nurses Association (CNA). (2012). When private becomes public: The ethical challenges and opportunities of social media. Ethics in Practice for Registered Nurses. Retrieved from https://www.cna-aiic.ca/~/media/cna/page-content/pdf-en/ethics_in_practice_feb_2012_e.pdf

Digital Content Curation: More Important Than Ever! (2016, August 2). Retrieved November 9, 2017, from http://www.linkinglearning.com.au/digital-content-curation-more-important-than-ever/

Galea, S. (2015, May 31). The Determination of Health Across the Life Course and Across Levels of Influence. Boston University School of Public Health. Retrieved from https://www.bu.edu/sph/2015/05/31/the-determination-of-health-across-the-life-course-and-across-levels-of-influence-2/

Government of Canada. (2018). Social determinants of health and health inequalities. Retrieved from https://www.canada.ca/en/public-health/services/health-promotion/population-health/what-determines-health.html

Government of Canada. (2011). Vulnerable Populations. Retrieved from https://www.canada.ca/en/health-canada/services/environmental-workplace-health/environmental-contaminants/vulnerable-populations.html

Halli, S. S., & Anchan, J. P. (2005). Structural and Behavioural Determinants of Immigrant and Non-Immigrant Health Status: Results from the Canadian Community Health Survey. Journal of International Migration & Integration, 6(1), 93-123. Retrieved from http://eds.b.ebscohost.com/eds/pdfviewer/pdfviewer?vid=2&sid=3e82d694-5419-4d6a-b610-5b08ef3ae5c3%40sessionmgr103

International Nurse Regulator Collaborative (INRC). (2016). Position Statement: Social Media Use: Common Expectations for Nurses. Retrieved from http://www.cno.org/globalassets/docs/prac/incr-social-media-use-common-expectations-for-nurses.pdf

Nancydo14. (2018, June 17). Multilevel Model of Health and Caregiving. Unit 4 Forum. Message posted to http://cnhs.lms.athabascau.ca/mod/forum/discuss.php?d=642925

Nancydo14. (2018, June 5). NDK Blog Link – What is health. Unit 3 Forum. Message posted to http://cnhs.lms.athabascau.ca/mod/forum/discuss.php?d=640835

Nancydo14. (2018, May 12). NDK Social Media Plan. Unit 1: Week 2 Forum. Message posted to http://cnhs.lms.athabascau.ca/mod/forum/discuss.php?d=635874

National Collaborating Centre for Aboriginal Health. (2013). An Overview of Aboriginal Health in Canada. Retrieved from https://www.ccnsa-nccah.ca/docs/context/FS-OverviewAbororiginalHealth-EN.pdf

Nazilpa. (2018, July 14). Vulnerable Population – Children. Unit 6 Forum. Message posted to http://cnhs.lms.athabascau.ca/mod/forum/discuss.php?d=647793

Registered Nurses’ Association of Ontario (RNAO). (2018). Social Media Guidelines for Nurses. Retrieved from https://rnao.ca/news/socialmediaguideline

Ronakga. (2018, June 4). What is Health? Unit 3 Forum. Message posted to http://cnhs.lms.athabascau.ca/mod/forum/discuss.php?d=640789

Sayyedaal. (2018, June 10). Determinants of Health. Unit 3: Week 6 Forum. Message posted to http://cnhs.lms.athabascau.ca/mod/forum/discuss.php?d=641673

Tehrani, H., Majlessi, F., Shojaeizadeh, D., Sadeghi, R., & Hasani, K. M. (2016). Applying Socioecological Model to Improve Women’s Physical Activity: A Randomized Control Trial. Iranian Red Crescent Medical Journal, 18(3). Retrieved from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4884614/

Thurston, W. E., & Vissandjée, B. (2005). An ecological model for understanding culture as a determinant of women's health. Critical Public Health, 15(3), 229-242. Retrieved from http://0-eds.a.ebscohost.com.aupac.lib.athabascau.ca/eds/pdfviewer/pdfviewer?vid=1&sid=a5ed6718-3df4-4b63-84c4-307431f86441%40sessionmgr4010

Wiolettasu. (2018, June 28). Chronic Disease in Manitoba. Unit 5 Forum. Message posted to http://cnhs.lms.athabascau.ca/mod/forum/discuss.php?d=645032

World Health Organization (WHO) (2018). Frequently Asked Questions. Retrieved from http://www.who.int/suggestions/faq/en/

World Health Organization (WHO). (2014). Noncommunicable diseases. Retrieved from http://www.who.int/topics/noncommunicable_diseases/en/