2015 Flashcards
Aspects of lifestyle that you might cover in a consultation with any patient when giving advice to promote a healthier lifestyle
Diet Exercise Alcohol Smoking Illicit drugs use Sexual health
Aspects of health which are likely to be worse for children of all ages living in the most deprived areas compared to those living in the least deprived areas
Teenage pregnancy Lower birth weight Less likely to benefit from breast-feeding in infancy Poorer dental health Higher rates of obesity More likely to take up smoking
Recognised risks to foetal wellbeing
Alcohol Smoking Illicit drugs Prescription drugs OTC drugs/internet sourced remedies/herbal medication X-rays Diet Infectious diseases Maternal disease
4 factors which would make someone more likely to be motivated to change her behaviour and stop drinking alcohol whilst pregnant
Advantages of not drinking (e.g a healthy baby) outweigh the disadvantages
Anticipates a positive response from others to her behaviour change (e.g boyfriend / family want the unborn baby to be healthy)
There is social pressure to change (e.g very socially unacceptable to drink when obviously pregnant)
Perceives the new behaviour to be consistent with her self-image (e.g perceives herself as an earth mother)
Believes she is able to carry out the behaviour in a range of circumstances (e.g at home / parties)
WHO definition of health
State of complete physical, mental and social wellbeing and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity
Factors which influence lay beliefs about health and give examples of how each of these may do this
age = older people concentrate on functional ability whilst younger people tend to speak of health in terms of physical strength and fitness
social class = people living in difficult economic and social circumstances regard health as functional (ability to be productive, take care of others)
gender = men and women appear to think about health differently (women may find the concept of health more interesting, women include a social aspect to health)
culture = different perceptions of illness / disease, differences in concordance with treatment
Actions the government could take to stem the rise in obesity
health education (diet and exercise) tax on unhealthy foods, 'fat tax' legislation (proper labelling / lists of ingredients and food content) enforcement of legislation ban on advertising unhealthy food improve exercise / sport facilities subsidise healthy food transport policy (e.g cycle lanes) funding of NHS treatment for obesity (specialist clinics / bariatric surgery)
Define culture
Complex whole which includes knowledge, beliefs, arts, morals, law, customs etc (Tyler 1874)
or
Systems of shared ideas, systems of concepts, rules and meanings that underlie and are expressed in the way that human beings live (Keesing 1981)
Potential difficulties which may arise when consulting a patient from a different culture
lack of knowledge about the NHS/UK healthcare system
lack of knowledge about common health issues / different health beliefs
fear and distrust
racism
bias and ethnocentrism
stereotyping
language barriers
presence of a 3rd party (family member / translator)
differences in perceptions and expectations between patient and doctor
examination taboos
gender difference between doctor and patient
religious beliefs
difficulties using language line
patient may not be entitled to NHS care
Routes via which someone may be exposed to a hazardous substance
Skin Blood Sexual contact Ingestion Inhalation
Categories of hazard
Chemical
Physical - heat, noise, radiation
Mechanical - trips/slips
Biological - spread of infection amongst colleagues
Psychological/stress - anxiety regarding job security/relationships with colleagues/deadlines
Common reasons for a child (of any age) in the UK seeing their GP and/or health visitor
Pyrexia Feeding problems URTIs/coughs/colds Rashes Otalgia Sore throat Vomiting +/- diarrhoea Abdominal pain Behavioural problems Anxiety regarding milestones/developmental delay
Social influences on health
Education Gender Ethnicity Housing Employment Financial security Health system Environment Social class
What is a gatekeeper?
A person who controls patients’ access to specialist or secondary care
Advantages of GPs as gatekeepers
identify those patients who are in need of secondary care assessment
continuity of care enhances knowledge of patient
personal advocacy
patient does not necessarily know which specialty to go to
increases likelihood of referral to appropriate department
increases likelihood of appropriate referral / use of resources
limits exposure to certain investigations (e.g MRI scan / X-rays)
GP acts as coordinator of care
puts GP in position to provide patient education
