NSG 4055 Week 1 Discussion Topic 1
Week 1 Discussion: Topic 1
Stigma has the greatest impact on patients living with chronic illnesses such as cancer, epilepsy, IBD, HIV/AIDS, and mental disorders. The stigma associated with chronic conditions results in a lack of social support from society (Nyblade et al., 2019). The social stigma is displayed as unacceptance and fear of being around a person who is ill. Even though persons suffering from chronic conditions are usually not contagious, the general population’s intrinsic fear of sickness results in social exclusion for these patients (Nyblade et al., 2019). The stigma occurs in the form of discrediting or devaluation due to the chronic disease. Stigma is destructive to the healthcare system since it acts as a barrier to access to healthcare, which is crucial in managing chronic illnesses. The reduced access to healthcare may hinder the overall well-being of the patient with a chronic illness.
Stigma affects the physical and mental health of persons from various age groups differently. Illness-related stigma in a 12-year-old may contribute to increased intrusiveness. The child might withdraw from valued activities by anticipating that their illness may be evident and negatively evaluated if they take part in these activities (Bakula et al., 2019). Stigma can also result in psychological distress leading to depressive and anxious symptoms in a 12-year-old. Stigma experiences are associated with a significantly increased risk for depressive and anxious symptoms among adolescents (Bakula et al., 2019). Illness-related stigma in a 75-year-old can make the patient less open about their symptoms and illness-related concerns with their providers. The reduced openness may hinder the ability of providers to offer satisfactory care (Nyblade et al., 2019). Stigma can also result in social isolation in a 75-year-old. Elderly persons are more likely to socially isolate themselves and thus receive less social support, attributed to poorer mental and physical health.
References
Bakula, D. M., Sharkey, C. M., Perez, M. N., Espeleta, H. C., Hawkins, M., Chaney, J. M., & Mullins, L. L. (2019). The role of stigma in the relationship between illness intrusiveness and adjustment in adolescents and young adults: A path model. Journal of pediatric psychology, 44(5), 611-619. https://doi.org/10.1093/jpepsy/jsz004
Nyblade, L., Stockton, M. A., Giger, K., Bond, V., Ekstrand, M. L., Mc Lean, R., … & Wouters, E. (2019). Stigma in health facilities: why it matters and how we can change it. BMC medicine, 17(1), 1-15. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12916-019-1256-2
NSG 4055 Week 1 Discussion: factors affecting chronic illness
There are many factors that affect chronic illness—chronic pain, stigma, social isolation, altered mobility, or fatigue. Utilizing your learning from your readings and the South University Online Library resources, respond to one the following questions:
Based on the research, which of these factors have the greatest impact on a patient? Why? Contrast at least two ways the factors would affect a twelve-year-old with the way they would affect a seventy-five-year-old.
Consider the twelve-year-old and the seventy-five-year-old have a chronic illness. How does the chronically ill patient’s illness trajectory influence the plan of care?
Review Healthypeople.gov website. Discuss how you feel these goals will impact the health of the nation. Briefly discuss how you could incorporate these goals/objectives into your day-to-day nursing practice.
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