The Prejudice Against People

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What are some of your own biases or prejudices regarding poor people, people from different ethnic groups, older people, people with disabilities and people who are part of the LGBT community? When working with lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ) patients, minority ethnic groups, older adults, and individuals with disabilities it is important to build a trusting relationship, to counteract the exclusion, discrimination, and stigma these groups face. Despite our best intentions, biases and prejudices may affect the way health care providers interact and behave with such patients.

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As a health care provider it’s important to recognize and understand these feelings to prevent disparities in care.

Early in my years of nursing school, I believe I had biases towards LGBTQs and those with mental health issues. I had a certain expectation of how an LGBTQ patient would look like, dress, and act. I would also assume that such individuals would engage in high-risk sexual behaviors. However, I had learned that such expectations were untrue, and stereotypical.

I believe, now I have become aware of the LGBTQ community and understood that every individual is different and deserves equal treatment. I have learned to approach and assess LGBTQ patients, with open-ended questions, which allows them to openly discuss health issues.

In regards to mental heath, I use to believe only low income people were affected by such issues. I use to believe those with mental health issues were “crazy” “dangerous” and even violent. However, after starting the nursing program, I realized my judgment and biases stemmed from a lack of knowledge and understanding of mental health.

I came to the realization, that mental health can affect anyone regardless of class system and age, and those affected can live functional lives. How has your self-awareness changed throughout nursing school and your exposure to clients and/or communities since finishing your Associate Degree in Nursing? I believe my self-awareness has dramatically changed throughout nursing school and from exposure to clients and communities. Having self-awareness means that you have a realization of your personality, including your strengths and weakness, your beliefs and attitudes.

Throughout nursing school, I have had multiple opportunities to practice self-reflection. These opportunities have allowed me to examine my own thoughts and actions, as well as how I interact with my colleagues, professors and clients. I believe I have become further aware of my feelings, and how I react to situations. For example, during my earlier years in nursing school, I reacted very defensive when I was offered criticism. I would feel very vulnerable, and offended and I would often let my emotions guide my actions and responses. However, when I started working and entered the Bachelor’s program I became open to feedback and critiques, and embraced it positively and as a part of life. I did not become rude or offensive, when clients would critique my care, or when professors would grade my assignments. The feedback and criticism helped me to grow positively, personally and professionally. How can we, on the individual, community, and societal levels, assist and empower disadvantaged women regarding preventative healthcare?

Health care providers in all settings should empower women to take charge of their own health. However, nurses are in a unique position to empower women. Nurses have been the the number one trusted profession and are often viewed as role models. Nurses must be strong and confident in their choices, and set an example for women, that they can do the same. Nurses can encourage women to join community projects and efforts, to create a supportive and empowering environment for women. Women empowerment groups can hold community fairs, which help bring awareness and support to women’s health. Community fairs are a great way for health care providers provide education on the importance of preventative services. Education and services can include annual wellness visits, contraceptive education, mental health counseling, services for pregnant women, screenings for gestational diabetes and breastfeeding counseling and equipment, screenings for cervical and breast cancer, counseling for STIs and HIV, domestic violence screening and counseling.

Pamphlets, flyers and goodie bags can also be distributed as incentives. What changes in social policy and/or the healthcare delivery system would most benefit women today? Women experience unique health care challenges and are more likely to be diagnosed with certain diseases than men Therefore, it is important for health care providers, and policy makers to address these health disparities. It’s important for changes to occur in the healthcare system, so women have the opportunities to access care and effective treatment, and prevent diseases and health issues before they become problematic and expensive. The focus of the healthcare delivery system needs to be on preventive services for women.

Women should be able to access preventative services, without the worry of co-pays, deductibles and referrals. In addition, women should not have to worry about finding services that are in network or part of the insurance plans network. This limitations and barriers, discourage women from accessing preventative services. The health care system needs to move forward and focus on women’s health across all ethnic groups, socioeconomic status and gender identity. Preventative services such as breast and cervical cancer screenings, sexual transmitted infections and HIV screenings, and diabetes screening need to be provided and easily accessible. Services for pregnant women should also be available, such as anemia screening, breastfeeding support and counseling, folic acid supplements, and tobacco intervention and counseling.

In addition, health care coverage policy needs to expand, and reduce the number of women uninsured. According to the National Partnership for Women and Families (2018), 1 in 10 women lack access to health insurance. Majority of women who are uninsured are Latina (19.9%), Black and Asian (8.9%). Those women who had health insurance, were covered through their employer, Medicaid or purchased health insurance on the ACA marketplace. Many women fall into the coverage gap, due to earning too much to qualify for Medicaid, but not earning enough to purchase insurance on the ACA marketplace (National Partnership…, 2018). To improve these health disparities, policymakers must continue to support the expansion of the ACA marketplace and Medicaid, as well as move forward to universal health coverage.