NURSING C350 wgu_Patients_and_Populations 2/Comprehensive Health Assessment for Patients and Populations

Running head: Comprehensive Health Assessment for Patients and Populations 2 A1. Strategy The focus of this health assessment is to determine if the patient has access to quality health care. Access to comprehensive quality health care services is important for promoting and maintaining health, preventing and managing disease, reducing unnecessary disability and premature death and achieving health equity for all Americans (ODPHP, 2014). In the assessment process, the social determinates were discussed assessing my patients access to health care, his ability to pay for his care, and his participation in preventive care along with well-being. I utilized a direct face to face question approach, which allowed for my continued assessment of any non-verbal in which he may have displayed. I chose this approach with open ended questions throughout to support the engagement and elaboration with answers. All his answers assisted me with the needed assessment on if he could afford care, or have access, and to see if he understood the importance of his health care needs. The strategy used to assess my patients’ social determinates of health incorporate five questions directly during the initial assessment. This approach promotes a report of trust early in the assessment process and proved to have a thorough response with answers. A1a. Discussion of Key Questions The key questions in which I found to be appropriate for the healthcare setting to effectively assess each of the five social determinants included: economic stability, education, social and community context, health and healthcare, the neighborhood and environment. The five questions were, a). Healthcare-can you tell me about your current health insurance plan and your employer? Patient reply is yes, I currently have health insurance through my employer for myself and my family. I work full time as a manager of environmental services and I enjoy my work along with being happy currently in my life with my salary. Right away I wanted to review Running head: Comprehensive Health Assessment for Patients and Populations 3 if the patient would have access to the health care needed. This question allows for me to assess the need of resources and to see if there is going to be any other needs for care. Having the ability to provide adequate health care is important. He also displayed that he is currently content economically. b). Education- what is your highest education level? He replies that he has a high school diploma, with some college courses in business management. This question assesses the patients’ ability to understand the plan of care and if the patient will be able to understand medications or other health information in which may be communicated. He also shares that he has the desire to return to college for the completion of his business administration degree. c). Social and community- tell me about your living arrangements and who do you live with? Are you involved within your community? The patient shares that he resides with his spouse and children at home and is very active as an associate minister within his local church. He also shares that he is active within the neighborhood association and supports his neighbors as needs arise with things such as mowing their grass or supporting snow removal during the winter season. This question allow