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Type 1 Diabetes
Being newly diagnosed with diabetes can be overwhelming and confusing due to the several things that a patient needs to learn and understand. However, for millions of diabetic patients learning about their diabetes is the first step towards living a longer and healthier life. According to Shaw (2014), Registered Nurses (RNs) play an important role of educating individuals that have just been diagnosed with diabetes encouraging them that they can live longer if they follow important guidelines for managing diabetes.
First, the RN should let the patient understand what type 1 diabetes is and how its symptoms present by highlighting the classic symptoms associated with diabetes such as excessive thirst and hunger, fatigue, unexplained weight loss, nausea, and vomiting. She should encourage the patient that he is not the only one suffering from type 1 diabetes.
Most youth with type 1 diabetes do not adhere to clinical guidelines (Wood et al, 2013). Therefore, the nurse can use examples of patients of almost similar age to the patient and are coping well with diabetes mellitus. The nurses should also explain to the patient that insulin injections are the central treatment for type I diabetes and for the patient to lead a quality life she should adhere to her medication.
For proper management of type I diabetes, some of the factors that the RN should focus on mainly includes control of blood glucose, insulin management, nutrition, exercise, and support (Atkinson, Eisenbarth & Michels, 2014). The nurse should advise the patient to measure his blood glucose levels regularly and administer insulin appropriately. Exercise on the other hand is a significant component of proper care for type I diabetes as it aids the body to respond with more stable levels of blood glucose (Haas et al., 2013).
However, patients should be cautioned against extreme exercise which lowers their glucose levels considerably. Additionally, the nurse should aid the patient understand how various foods affect blood glucose and enlighten them on how to come up with solid meal plans (Chiang et al., 2014). She should also encourage the patient to seek help from other people with the same condition and be free to visit the medical center in case of any clarification.
The steps of the teaching learning process that were most likely not well employed are the implementation and the evaluation steps. In the implementation step, the nurse should have delivered content in a manner that is more organized with the aid of planned teaching strategies. The evaluation step could be improved if the nurse questioned the patient on some aspects such as why insulin is important in management of type I diabetes and more so the rationale of giving it as an injection instead of pills.
References
Atkinson, M. A., Eisenbarth, G. S., & Michels, A. W. (2014). Type 1 diabetes. The Lancet, 383(9911), 69-82.
Chiang, J. L., Kirkman, M. S., Laffel, L. M., & Peters, A. L. (2014). Type 1 diabetes through the life span: A position statement of the American Diabetes Association. Diabetes Care, 37(7), 2034-2054.
Haas, L., Maryniuk, M., Beck, J., Cox, C. E., Duker, P., Edwards, L., … & McLaughlin, S. (2013). National standards for diabetes self-management education and support. Diabetes care, 36(Supplement 1), S100-S108.
Shaw, R. J., McDuffie, J. R., Hendrix, C. C., Edie, A., Lindsey-Davis, L., Nagi, A., … & Williams, J. W. (2014). Effects of nurse-managed protocols in the outpatient management of adults with chronic conditions: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Annals of internal medicine, 161(2), 113-121.
Wood, J. R., Miller, K. M., Maahs, D. M., Beck, R. W., DiMeglio, L. A., Libman, I. M., … & T1D Exchange Clinic Network. (2013). Most youth with type 1 diabetes in the T1D Exchange Clinic Registry do not meet American Diabetes Association or International Society for Pediatric and Adolescent Diabetes clinical guidelines. Diabetes care, 36(7), 2035-2037.
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Introduction
There is an increased focus on geriatric dermatology due to the growing trend towards aging populations in several countries across the globe. Elderly individuals are predisposed to many dermatological conditions as a result of senile changes in their skin. Although sometimes skin problems seem to be minor compared to major chronic diseases frequently seen in elderly patients, proper diagnosis and management aids in reducing the morbidity and influences positively their quality of life.
How to Properly Diagnose Skin Wounds in Frail Elders
Diagnosis is based on patient history. It is also founded on physical examination whereby a physician inspects the appearance of the condition, mode of distribution, arrangement and configuration, size of individual lesion, color. Surface characteristics such as rough, smooth, waxy or warty, and shape which can either be oval, round, or linear. Diagnostic tests can also be carried our such as skin scrapings that are important in detecting fungal infections, skin prick tests for allergies, and skin biopsies.
In an infection, germs are present in the body and are responsible for signs and symptoms such as pus from wounds, fever, and increased leukocyte count. Conversely, in colonization germs are present in the body but the patients do not present any signs and symptoms.
Type of Skin Wound
I selected herpes. This is an infection caused by the herpes simplex virus. Individuals with this infection have sores anywhere on their skin. Usually, it occurs around the nose, mouth, genitals, and buttocks. The infection is a painful experience, embarrassing and recurs time after time. Herpes is generally associated with genital herpes. However, herpes is actually a term referring to a family of viruses ranging from Epstein-Barr virus (causes infectious mononucleosis), varicella zoster virus (causes shingles), herpes virus 1/HSV-1, to herpes virus 2 HVS-2. Under a microscope, HSV-1 and HSV-2 look identical. Either type can infect the genitals and the mouth.
Herpes simplex has been ranked as one of the most common infections with approximately one out every five individuals in US having HSV-2 and about half to three quarter of all adults having a positive test for HSV-1. However, just ten percent of exposed persons get visible sores.
During the infection, the viruses, HSV-1 and HSV-2, traverse into the nerves where they blend with the DNA forcing the body to make copies of them so that they can be spread easily to other people. However, the body’s immune system attacks the viruses and the products overcoming them. In individuals with a weakened immune system, the virus traverses to the skin where it leaks out in tiny blisters that are painful, burning or unusually tender.
Herpes infection is severe in individuals whose immune system is weak such as children and the elderly. Often, it is a mild infection in that it goes unnoticed in majority of the people who are infected. The infected persons perceive the infections as normal skin irritation or chaffing. However, HSV can recur years later and be mistaken as an initial attack resulting in unfair accusations of infidelity between partners.
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Treatment
Anti-viral pills such as acyclovir, famyclovir, and valacyclovir are used in treatment herpes. Topical application ointments also help in reducing the healing time as well as the duration of symptoms. Some of the topical applications that are prescribed include penciclovir, acyclovir, and docosanol cream.
There are several risk factors in geriatric dermatology that can predispose one to developing herpes. Some of these factors include, a history of a prior sexually transmitted infection, engaging in sexual intercourse at an early age, having several sexual partners, and poor socioeconomic status. Research by Bernstein et al., (2013) indicated that HSV-2 is transmitted easily from men to women than vice versa. This explains why females have a high likelihood of developing HSV-2 infection than men. Individuals whose immunity is compromised such as patients with HIV are also at a high risk of acquiring herpes infection.
Prevention
Herpes is a contagious infection whose prevention before and after an outbreak is of great significance. If signs of recurrence such as itching, tingling, burning or tenderness are felt at any area of the body, then that area should be kept away from other people. Patients that have mouth lesions should avoid sharing cups, lip makeup, or kissing. Sharing of towels and clothing should be avoided strictly.
Avoidance of sexual activity among patients with genital herpes is an important intervention. Sharing of sexual toys should also be avoided highly as they may promote transmission of herpes. Use of condoms is the most effective intervention of preventing herpes transmission. Partners should also go for medical check-ups in case one of them experiences herpes symptoms.
Conclusion
Individuals who have had the infection should maintain general good health and keep stress as low as possible to lit chances of having recurrences which fortunately are milder than the initial attack. Infected patients should take care of the affected skin area by keeping it dry and clean during outbreaks to facilitate healing. Physical contact should be avoided until all skin sores heal completely, not just scabbed-over.
If one touches a sore he/she should wash hands thoroughly with soap and water failure to which the hands can transmit the virus to other body parts such as eyes causing herpes keratitis a condition that causes pain and sensitivity to light and is accompanied with discharge. Geriatric dermatology practice has to be by professional who have studied and understand their geriatric patients.
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A Social Issue or Governmental Concern
Introduction
Obesity is currently a serious social issue that is increasing rapidly. Whoever considered both woman and children to have different perceptions about their body index, the knowledge in surgical and medical issues that are connected to this disease (Li, et.al.2015). It is important to establish that the US is considerably experiencing a larger growth of obese generation, a factor that needs address.
Thesis:
Obesity is a fast growing epidemic due to several factors such as poor diet, lack of physical activity and stress and has become a serious social issue requiring greater government involvement through nutritional content regulation and increased physical education in schools.
Obesity as a Governmental Concern
It is essential to determine that obesity as a health problem has had a considerable amount of economic impact within the health care system of the United States of America. This can be attributed to the increasing prevalence of overweight individuals that are directly associated with costs for a nations. These costs are incurred by the government in the development of preventive, diagnostic and treatment approaches that are connected to this disease (Li, et.al.2015).
On the other hand, the indirect costs that nations are bound to experience includes the wages that are lost by individuals who do not have the capacity to work since they are diagnosed with this ailment including the value of the future costs that a state is bound to encounter as a result of this ailment, a factor that makes it more of a governments concern as well. Additionally, it is imperative to determine that nations divert resources with the aim of dealing with the challenges that these issues present in a nation thus affecting the economic state of a nation.
Governments are additionally pushed in the acquisition of healthy foods that are more available, with the aim of reducing the supply chain and the promotion of other foods. The government is also obligated to develop awareness programs that encourage the population of healthy feeding in order to mitigate the effects of this disease, encourage physical activity and make the changing of policies easier for individuals who preset such illnesses. In other words, the government is forced to use its potentials in changing the social causatives of obesity
Obesity has been found to affect the health, economy, and social status of different individuals including the economic nation. This can be depicted as individuals who present this illness spend on medication including the government’s efforts aimed at managing this disease. The government in handling this situation is forced to pool several resources aimed at training the healthcare professionals on how to help in managing obesity (Li, et.al.2015).
The health professionals help patients on decreasing their weight stigma and encouraging patients on the need of being sensitive through an approach that involves education. The healthcare professionals are then trained and equipped with appropriate skills in managing this disease. This has seen the development of an obesity management approach that teaches the patients on how to diet and manage the disease. These approaches remain effective in managing obesity in a nation, a factor that requires a joint effort of both the health and government sectors. This determines the fact that obesity remains a health concern in a state.
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Obesity as a Social Issue
Obesity is characterized as a condition that allows the accumulation of excess fats in the body. However, when people accumulate unnecessary weight as a result of this disease, it results into a social factor since it develops several implications within the society, legal, economic, religious and political elements (Li, et.al.2015). In determining the social aspects of obesity in Americans, it is essential to consider that Americans have turned out to be conscious about obesity currently than they did in the past, with many considering it as a societal issue that is viewed to be serious as compared to smoking or drinking.
The rates of Obesity has immensely grown, thus resulting in other nutritional related chronic diseases including the significant burdens that families, healthcare systems and the community encounter in caring for patients with this disease.
It is additionally important to consider the fact that individuals who are obese are viewed differently in the society. The society is more likely to consider them as suffering from unwanted illnesses, a factor that depicts the fact that these individuals are prone to suffer from discrimination and prejudice in different societies (Li, et.al.2015). On the other hand, obese people are considered to also have few friends, lower employment and education opportunities.
Following sources, we considered the perceptions of women especially those who suffer from obesity and their levels of knowledge on the medical and surgical elements as related to this disease as social (Li, et.al.2015). This has seen many of overweight women grow in large numbers, a factor that has caused them to underrate their body mass index (BMI). Since a majority of women that are obese are faced with the challenge of underrating their body mass index.
This can be depicted in the less educated women who we considered whom as having issues that result in the underestimation of their BMI. As depicted in the research, several of these women do not consider knowing their BMI status (Li, et.al.2015).Women are more likely to suffer from obesity without considering to it. It is now essential to call for support systems among the medical fraternity in administering advice to this population.
It is essential to consider that there are some misconceptions that have been developed and that have dominated policy initiatives directed towards combating and managing obesity. Several schools of thought believe that diet restrictions and the element of weight stigmatization may be ineffective in the fight against obesity (Li, et.al.2015).
However, it is important to consider applying psychological science in enacting new regulative approaches that aid in weight management in the local and national level. This essentially discourages individual’s willpower that is in strategies developed to fight obesity and encourage the initiation of policies that support environmental changes that nurture health for the populace.
In managing diabetes, it is vital to consider that there have been misconceptions dominating the policy initiatives in mitigating this disease. This determines the fact that the misconceptions dwelt on diet restrictions and weight stigmatization as not effective in mitigating this disease. In addressing this health concern, there is a need of inclusively incorporating psychological science in helping patients with weight management.
Studies have discovered that there is a need of employing scientific policies in improving the health of patients who suffer from this disease (Li, et.al.2015). This encourages the patients to develop a willpower approach in fighting obesity, whereas there is a need of encouraging policies that support environmental changes in nurturing a healthy society for all. Working conditions require that employees develop a healthy lifestyle that entails eating healthy foods, exercise and inclusion of education.
As determined in this paper, Obesity has turned out to be a health concern since it affects the economic, health, and social lives of individuals in a nation. In a nut shell, obesity is a social concern that has grown rapidly over the years. This a major cause for concern in the long list of issues that obesity can lead to.
Many people do not realize just how damaging obesity can be to their body and their overall health. It is in our hands to put an end to obesity and the extra toll that it is taking on the lives of US citizens conclusively. Let’s change the trend of obesity by making the initiative to live better lifestyles so that we can build towards a healthier America.
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Conclusion
As determined in this study, Obesity remains a fast growing epidemic due to several factors such as poor diet, lack of physical activity and stress and has become a serious social issue requiring greater government involvement through nutritional content regulation and increased physical education in schools. Obesity has been found to affect the health, economy, and social status of different individuals including the economic nation (Li, et.al.2015).
This can be depicted as individuals who present this illness spend on medication including the government’s efforts aimed at managing this disease. However, it is important to consider applying psychological science in enacting new regulative approaches that aid in weight management in the local and national level.
This essentially discourages individual’s willpower that is in strategies developed to fight obesity and encourage the initiation of policies that support environmental changes that nurture health for the populace. This therefore determines the rationale behind this ailment being a social issue and a governmental concern that is widely affecting several nations both socially, economically, religiously and politically.
References
Li, W., Buszkiewicz, J. H., Leibowitz, R. B., Gapinski, M. A., Nasuti, L. J., & Land, T. G. (2015). Declining Trends and Widening Disparities in Overweight and Obesity Prevalence among Massachusetts Public School Districts, Retrieved from http://www.medscape.com/medline/abstract/26270317
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Dissemination of Evidence
Effective dissemination of evidence means that the right audience gets the correct information on the right time, format, and manner. The general aim of communicating information is to encourage all stakeholders to understand the progress and achievements of the project so that they can take part in it (McCormack et al, 2013; Beidas et al., 2012).
The pioneer nurses who will have gone through the teaching program will be posted in different units where they will reach out to other nurses in these units about the initiative. They will be allowed to use posters outside the unit, post reminders outside the unit, or post important updates on the hospitals’ website. The nurses will also be expected to explain to fellow colleagues in other units about the CAUTI prevention program through the hospital newsletter, tweets, blogs or even during hospital-wide nursing meetings. This will be a sure way of ascertaining that equal protection is met for all patients in the hospital (Edmunds et al., 2012).
To further facilitate spread of information, the trained health care providers will be encouraged to meet with interested hospitals within the region where they will share what they will have learned and communicate the achievements they have made in reducing the rates of CAUTI within this hospital. During this activity, they will be expected to start with units with higher rates of CAUTI, share the prevention program manual and other essential resources available in the website, and avail themselves whenever they are requested to train more members.
Project leaders will also be requested to attend monthly regional coaching and monthly national content webinars where they will share crucial information about “why and what” the implementation program is all about. The project leaders will be encouraged to attend the webinar calls with at least two or three nurses who will help further in dissemination of information.
Reference
McCormack, L., Sheridan, S., Lewis, M., Boudewyns, V., Melvin, C. L., Kistler, C., … & Lohr, K. N. (2013). Communication and dissemination strategies to facilitate the use of health-related evidence.
Edmunds, J. M., Beidas, R. S., & Kendall, P. C. (2013). Dissemination and implementation of evidence–based practices: training and consultation as implementation strategies. Clinical Psychology: Science and Practice, 20(2), 152-165.
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What is Child Development?
Child development basically is any transition in human beings between birth and the end of maturity. It is progressive and is bound to affect the next change or preceding development of a child. Child development may be as a result of many factors including; getting educated, environmental factors and the completion of adolescence. They are many development times in a child before being an adolescent. (Feldman, 2012, pg 67) A child is referred to as a new born between the first 4 weeks of childhood, an infant between 4 weeks and 1 year, a toddler up to 3 years, a preschooler 4-6 years, school aged child 6-13 and an adolescent as from 13 years up to 19 years.
There are many factors that lead to proper child development; parents being one of the many factors, the parents hence play a key role. They help the child to blend socially, academically and reach development wholly. A child is also supposed to receive good care for any chance of proper development which should be the case in order to reach full development. There are so many theories that define child development, such a theory is the ecological systems theory brought up by Urie Branfenbreener who based his postulates on four systems .These were Microsystems, Ecosystem, Macrosystem and Mesosystem .The systems clearly give directives on development. (Feldman, 2012, pg 87)
Jean Piaget a Swiss scholar also developed a theory solely on animals. He came up with stages which include the sensorimotor stage, preoperational stage, concrete stage, formal operations stage which is the last stage. During the sensorimotor stage the child is able to perceive the unseen .At the preoperational stage children explicate their surrounding using symbols of the mind such as words and images.
With this the child is able to apply them in their childish endeavors assuming that they know better and very well as compared to other people. They tend to display ego mostly and knowing more than most people .The concrete stage shows how children begin to think differently and bear a sense of mind. They are able to make it out of situations just by putting their mind to it.
The formal operations is the final stage which depicts children as beings able to relate very well and have the clear indication of things that happen or are to happen. This however also means that the child creates a sought of feeling of superiority to most people at times thinking that maybe he/she is at the peak and above the rest which is not the case. Vygotsky based his theory on the society’s role in developing the child. The child first grows then is able to relate with other people at large. With the help of an adult the child is able to grow and learn for example using rhymes or by certain movements such as tapping.
John Bowlby came with the attachment theory but Mary Ainsworth improved it. It clearly depicts that the strong ties or bonds between a child and a guardian, a child and a parent, a child and the one looking after the child helps with the growth of the child. Eric Erickson developed a theory to the aspect of child development too. (Demick & Andreoletti, pg 82, 2014) This include trust vs. mistrust (infant),Autonomy vs. shame (toddlerhood),Initiative vs. guilt (preschooler),Industry vs. inferiority (young adolescent),Identity vs. role confusion (adolescent),Intimacy vs. isolation (young adulthood), Generativity vs. stagnation (middle adulthood),Ego integrity vs. despair (old age).
Other theories include behavioral theory as well as the psychosexual theory .The stages needed to be fully complete for the preceding one to take course basing it also on the libido in a particular place or different places. (Demick & Andreoletti, pg 85, 2014) The theory has similarities with Bowlby’s theory of attachment and the study of motor development .It helps to relate developments together and to create assertiveness and perception to things.
A different theory known as the “core knowledge perspective” is based on certain domains very important to development which include; physical ,linguistic, numerical, psychological and biological. The main cause of growth is mainly genetic or as a result of the immediate environment. Genetic factors have a great influence on the cell, the diet required, development of the brain too and its growth basically. Certain experiments show that organisms are able to survive with a small change in the environment too or when exposed to environments of slight variation.
However the environment still serves as a factor of development, sometimes both genetic and environmental factors both cause developmental changes .When the rate of genetic factors on the child is high this means that the rate of environmental factors is very low.(Crowley, 2014, pg 114). Physical growth is mainly change in stature over time and this includes the size, weight and physique or stature. This is accompanied with the change in structure such as of the limbs, as a child one has small limbs but as one matures into an adult the limbs become even bigger.
The child shows growth from the head up to the toe with development of vital organs too in the body. The child at first grows fast then progressively and much slower later on. Nutrition ,dieting ,diseases, injuries and exposition to certain things play an important role in the general development. .(Crowley, 2014, pg 114) Variations created later could be as a result of the environment or the genes of the parents and sometimes differences created as a result of different reproductive maturation.
Movement too is a factor of development with the child developing from single steps to continuous and progressive much more conducive steps. This also has an effect on the final posture what is known as motor development. Continuous and vigorous exercise also determines the posture and the ability to move oneself. Children with developed complications may find it very hard to develop and may develop complications. .(Crowley, 2014, pg 115)
This includes sitting, talking or even walking. Development may also vary due to individual differences such as a boy and a girl or even of the left foot and hand as well as the right hand and foot. A child should also be able to develop intellectually and grow certain cognitive abilities .However this depends on certain factors including nutrition, exercise and the parents’ response to the child.
A child first develops response to time and sequence and these increases with the continuing years. This ability was built on successive years checking keenly on their speed and pattern. This is however affected by an individual being left behind or choosing to, this happens in the case of boys and girls. Newborns also tend to create a liking which later changes and they later become weak and scared of people and certain things.
As the child grows he/she becomes friendly and is able to pick out her friends as well as developing feelings attached to people warding off anger or resentment. The more the child tends to relate with the parents certain aspects of social and emotional development are also seen to grow and build. Boys acquire certain behaviors while girls also acquire certain behaviors with differences in their character. (Charlesworth, 2016, pg 20)
Language serves a very important role in development .The components of early childhood development are phonology which leans more on the sounds of language, lexicon, morphology which entails looking deeply into the forms and pragmatics .Infants usually at first have soft vowels and develop cooing and then babbling comes in next ushering repetition of sounds.
(Charlesworth, 2016, pg 22) At 6 months the child is able to understand other’s speech and build on it up to age six as well as acquire mastery of speech and pronunciation .This ensures full participation of the child and exchange based on language .Theories of language development include the bootstrapping theory which bases it theory on the child’s ability to pick out meaning .
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The multi-route model believes in the parent’s ability to influence strongly the speech of the child. Children’s language depends on the attachment of words also known as semantics. .However speech is an important form of development. Delays may lead to serious consequences on the child’s side and the parent therefore should keenly monitor the child’s speech .
There are many causes to this and could be either environmental such as the concentration on other development milestones and stages whereby a child focuses on standing or even walking and neglects even talking. Dire causes could be as a result of neurological causes, for example, deafness, dyslexia and autism. (Brainerd & Pressley, 2012, pg 115) Factors that may pose a risk to the child’s development are either environmental or hereditary.
Environmental factors include those of the prenatal and post natal environment. Prenatal factors are those factors during pregnancy they include nutritional deficiencies, use of drugs, state of the uterus, exposure to radiation, infections, placental implantation. The post natal factors include the external environment, hormones influence, family, nutrition of the child. However malnutrition, maternal depression and substance abuse remain the common factors.
Other factors include post natal depression, socioeconomic status, parasites and poisoning. Abuse of substance also has a great effect, for example, cocaine which leads to poor development of the child especially the mental development altering with the brain functioning. (Feldman, 2012, pg 56) Children who face malnutrition weigh lesser in terms of kilograms and are most times shorter in length .It is also believed that malnutrition poses a danger to one’s intelligence quotient.
Certain ions also serve as important functions to the body and it is therefore important that one observes proper nutrition of a child. The socioeconomic status is based on income, academic or educational achievements and work. Poverty is seen to affect so many children in the case of malnutrition and development also due to nutrition. The parents academic achievement may have an effect on the child’s too ,that is how he/she is to perform. This children are affected in class and perceived by many as daft and left behind by teachers.
Some parasites also result into greater effects preventing the development of most children .Obesity still remains a common problem to all with most children not following a proper diet as a result of exposure and sometimes the parents or themselves. Some factors also popular include abuse which could be physical .A child may also not reach his proper state of development due to non proper state of development due to no proper observance of the common factors as a result of not receiving care. (In Edelman, In Mandle & In Kudzma, 2014, pg 418)
A child who has been neglected is identifiable even by practitioners .The developmental delay may be as a result of many factors and can never easily be ruled out on nurturing .It could be as a result of genetic disorder, disease, physical, sexual or emotional abuse or even a mixture of them at times.
In conclusion, child development is a very important stage in the human cycle therefore it is necessary for all relevant parties involved in this process to take all due duty of care to ensure that the process is attained in the optimum possible favorable factors.
References
Brainerd, C. J., & Pressley, M. (2012). Verbal Processes in Children: Progress in Cognitive Development Research. New York, NY: Springer New York.
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Endometriosis: Lack of knowledge and awareness
Research questions
The critical challenge that faces endometriosis community is inadequate factual awareness. Endometriosis is a challenge that keeps most women mired in menstrual myths, misinformation, delayed or under-diagnosis, under treatment, and lack of support. The societal and cultural bias about menstruation has kept the disease invalidated, diminished and ignored. This legacy of misinformation covering this illness is spread from medical educators, patients and the next generation (Ferreira et al. 2016).
The paper seeks to explore existing knowledge on socio-psychological impact of endometriosis on the lives of women. By doing this, it will provide insight into ways of increasing awareness of the disease. The research question is “What is the socio-psychological impact of endometriosis on women’s health? What are the impacts of increased awareness of endometriosis on women’s health?”
Clinical relevance
Endometriosis has remained in the twilight for centuries because the society has failed to recognize the existence of this disease. Research estimates that one in ten women in their reproductive age suffer from endometriosis. Endometriosis is often dismissed as a ‘normal’ problem among women. It affects 176 million women across the globe causing them to endure a life of pain and in some cases, infertility.
Endometriosis has exerted massive economic and social costs at individual and society levels. In the US, it is estimated that 7.6 million women are affected and this accounts for $ 80.4 billion a year. This number is comparable to diabetes yet there are only a small percentage of the afflicted patients who have sought help and are aware of the disease. (Moradi et al, 2013).
Research estimates that most of the primary doctors are not aware of endometriosis markers, which often makes the vast number of women to be underdiagnosed and undertreated. It is estimated that 61% of women suffering from endometriosis were told that it is normal to have painful periods when under treatment. It takes about 9.28 years to get a definitive diagnosis.
An average woman will take 4.67 years to report the issue and the physicians will take about 4.61 years to make the definitive diagnosis. During that time, the women continue to suffer severe pain and they are not in a position to socialise, work, or have a stable sexual relationship (Heidemann et al, 2013).
Most of the research studies have covered various aspect of the disease. However, most of these aspects are redundant in nature and lack translational benefit. A better part of the research study is directed towards the pharmaceutical diagnosis, but it fails to examine the far-reaching impact of the disease. The enduring lack of awareness exists at all societal levels; hence, this has led to average diagnostic delay which is often a catalyst for delayed effective treatment (Moradi et al. 2013).
Early intervention and increased awareness of the disease is important. This is because it helps to reduce the disease morbidity, incidences of infertility, and disease progression across women of all ages. Also, increased awareness is important because it helps the affected women to make informed decisions about their health. Furthermore, increased awareness will facilitate delivery of correct information upon which the healthcare providers can base their healthcare decisions to make timely diagnosis (Ferreira et al. 2016).
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Research design
To effectively address these research questions, the systematic review method will be adopted. This method is preferred due to its ability to include diverse concepts in qualitative and quantitative studies from several disciplines. Therefore, this review draws its synthesis from critical narrative instead of performing the classic systematic review methodology. The classical narrative method will adhere to PRISMA principles as much as possible.
This method is preferred due to its ability to provide exhaustive review of the current literature and published papers on endometriosis awareness, and its impact on women’s lives. The method is cost effective as minimal resources and time is needed. The results generated from this study can be generalized, they are reliable, and can be considered on the context of evidence based practice (Burns & Grove, 2011).
The study design pitfall is the issue of study variables. This is because systematic review study variables vary, but tend to have the same outcome. Some of the reviews will only analyse certain variables such as gender and age factors that may not be allocated to other studies. During the critical synthesis of these ideas, the variables studied in each of original studies will be put into consideration.
A systematic search will be done on multidisciplinary data bases including PubMed, CINAHL plus, Cochrane Library, EBSCOhost, SU database, and PsyARTICLES. Appropriate terms for searching the disease will be developed by reviewing the abstracts, titles and keywords, which will help to identify papers that have information on socio-psychological impact of endometriosis and its increased awareness (Burns & Grove, 2011).
The systematic review will take broad view of the issue because there are limited studies on the impact of endometriosis or the effects that arise due to lack of disease awareness. The work will include information from the various disciplines including sociology and psychology to establish the holistic picture on the impact of endometriosis.
The articles that will be explored include the peer reviewed articles from English language journals. Due to the scarcity of the information on endometriosis, its impact and prevention strategies, no date restrictions will be imposed. However, reviews, commentaries, opinions, and clinical studies will be excluded (Burns & Grove, 2011).
Conclusion
Increased public knowledge and awareness will facilitate early identification of disease onset and facilitate timely intervention of the disease. This will reduce associated morbidity, infertility and associated clinical symptoms. It is time to alleviate the culture of menstrual misinformation by ensuring that the public get timely and authoritative education. Therefore, increased knowledge and awareness will change the presumptuous perspectives and misleading attitudes that normally perpetuate myths about endometriosis.
References
Burns, N., & Grove, S. (2011). Understanding Nursing Research (5th ed.). Elsevier. ISBN-13: 9781437707502
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Strategic Human Resource Management
Introduction
Strategic human resource management is a very broad area of study. It has also evolved over time, making it difficult to summarize the concept in a few words. As such, there is not one single definition that can fully encompass what the concept is about. However, there are certain key aspects which help to put the definition of this concept into context.
Strategic human resource management (SHRM) revolves around systematically connecting and integrating human resource concepts to match and meet corporate needs. Every organization has laid out structures intended to assist in the achievement of set goals and aspirations.
In order for these goals to be realized, there has to be a systematic and practical manner through the strategies of human resource management are merged with the needs of the organization. SHRM concerns itself with overseeing a smooth integration of the two. Since its emergence, human resource management has evolved. As organizations keep up with the dynamism in their respective fields, HRM has had to keep up. There is a lot of materials that have been written in regard to this topic, including the constant evolution. The focus of this discussion is literature review on this topic and what various authors thing about SHRM.
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Background Information
Human resource strategies play a crucial role as they address all fundamental issues arising from management of various issues on human resource. There is need to ensure that there is alignment between the needs of an organization and the strategies of human resource. The human resource department is in charge of the personnel who form the human resource of an organization.
As such, it is pertinent to ensure that there is a blend between the two. On one hand, human resource practices are more concerned about the welfare of the personnel in the organization. On the other hand, every organization has set goals which must be achieved. Sometimes, there is a clash between the two and hence the need to have middle point where the needs of both can be harmonized.
Literature Review
Why is it so important to have integration between business or organizational strategies and human resource management? Authors on this topic have provided a myriad of reasons as to why the integration is essential. Mello (2014) notes that integration of human resource management with business strategies contribute significantly to improvement of performance within the organization.
Further, Storey notes that with proper integration of the two aspects, the competitive advantage o the organization is increased. The competitive advantage is increased since the human resource management is customized to meet the specific needs of an organization. Due to the unique system of HRM it is not easy for other organizations to imitate, giving the organization in context a niche.
Crucial Aspects of SHRM
Strategic human resource management is supported by two main tenets. The first tenet is the integration of human resource with specific business needs and the second is the devolution of human resource management to the managers. Millimore (2010) notes that integration of the two is considered successful when all matters pertaining to human resource are considered to be crucial in business strategy.
In the past, business strategies have been formulated devoid and in total failure to consider the impacts on human resource management. The impact thereof is that in most cases, the human resource strategies and business strategies clash leading to a deadlock. Armstrong (2011) therefore recognizes the importance of such an integration thereby avoiding a deadlock.
Resource- Based View
There are a number of theories that have been developed all of which seek to explain the relationship that exist between performance of an organization and human resource management. The resource-based view is one of the theories whose arguments have been used by researchers to assert this position.
According to this theory, organizations gain what is seen as competitive advantage or a niche for themselves when the resources within the organization are well taken care of. Blau & Schoenherr (2011) is of the view that the most valuable asset and resource for any organization is its human resource. The integration of human resource management will hence have a direct impact on the performance of the organization.
The resource based theory is certainly a departure from previously held views where business strategy would focus more on the external environment. Prior to the evolution of human resource management, business organizations put more focus on the external environment including the market while completely ignoring the human resource.
It is not until the recent past that the perception changed. Human resources are now considered an integral part of business strategy and this has evidently seen a shift in performance by organizations. The integration of the two aspects has seen an alignment of goals for both concept which together work for the betterment of organizations.
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Findings
From the above discussion, there are a number of findings. The first finding is that there is indeed a relationship between human resource management and performance of an organization. The second finding is that when the two aspects are integrated systematically, then there is evidence of improved performance for organizations.
There is need for more studies to be conducted with an aim of proving that the relationship between SHRM and organizational performance is causal. This means that strategic human resource management has direct impact on the performance of an organization. This means that failure to properly integrate the two will have ripple effect on the performance of a business firm.
Conclusion
Human resource management sits at the center of good performance of every organization. Unfortunately, until very recently, human resource management has always been set aside during business strategizing. The role of HRM was not appreciated as more focus would be on the external environment of the business. However, with multiple researches conducted on the topic, the role of human resource management is now recognized and appreciated. Further, the need to integrate human resource management with business strategies has seen improved performance of organizations.
As the name suggests, the integration must be strategic meaning that it must be done in a certain manner. The most important factor of consideration during integration of human resource management and business strategy is alignment of goals of each department. Recognition that human resources is one of the most valuable asset for each organization is a step in the right direction for organizations.
Management of human resources has grown in leaps and bounds to become the centerpiece of organizations. More organizations are now investing in this area as they seek to create a niche for themselves by increasing their competitive advantage.
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Models used in Decision Making
Introduction
This paper intends to examine models used in decision making. Models of decision making are terms used to refer to processes employed when formulating conclusions about decisions that an organization should follow through and the available alternatives to decisions. To achieve examination, the paper will look at organizational structures, which are viewed as vibrant.
Models used in decision-making
There are a number of models used in decision making within different organizations. However, this paper will focus on two models. Furthermore, the spotlight will be on the ability of two models in supporting the needs of IT in a business. The first model is rational-actor model, while the second model is organizational-process model. A rational-actor model is used when explaining decisions taken by large organizations which are centrally controlled (Kuwashima, 2014). The assumption of the model is that there is rationality in the business institution being considered (Courtney, 2013). Moreover, the model is used to show consistency within an organization and value maximization of specific constraints.
Therefore, the model shows how an organization makes rational choices. On the other hand, organizational-process model is used in examining the activities carried out by all departments of an organization. Moreover, organization-process model considers all activities an organization is involved in, as output from combined subsystems (Kuwashima, 2014). In a business there is a number of IT needs to be met. Among the needs are email communication, software for accounting, storage of files, a system for telephone communication, a reliable internet connection, as well as, a system to be used by the support team.
Consequently, a rational-actor model may not efficiently support the needs of IT in a business. Notably, rational-actor model views actions taken by an organization, as influenced by choices made by a universal rational maker of decisions (Kuwashima, 2014). The assumption by rational-actor model fails to consider that, organizations are always made of subsystems which are loosely connected. In addition, all subsystems within an organization act independently.
However, an organizational-process model may competently support the needs of IT in a business. Notably, an organizational-process model considers operations which are routinely carried out within subsystems of an organization (Kuwashima, 2014). Moreover, organizational-process model looks at the interaction between all subsystems of an organization. An organizational-process model is, therefore, more capable of making appropriate decisions on the needs of IT in a business, compared to rational-actor model (Boulesnane, & Bouzidi, 2013).
Hire-Jordan-Smith model for making decisions
I work for an organization known as Hire-Jordan Smith. At Hire-Jordan-Smith the model of making decisions used is an organizational process. The process is initiated by, the use of strategic management. Every level of organization of Hire-Jordan-Smith has a separate operations system, which is aimed at enhancing the integrity and improving communication. All operations systems have their assigned goals, which are used in the evaluation of performance (Boulesnane, & Bouzidi, 2013). At all operations systems within Hire-Jordan-Smith are managers along with supervisors. Using trust and integrity managers along with supervisors make crucial decisions within their assigned operations systems. One of the operation systems of Hire-Jordan-Smith is IT (Huang & Hutchinson, 2013).
Hire-Jordan-Smith supports its needs for business by having managers along with supervisors being responsible for differentiated operations systems in different ways. First, there is efficiency in system functionality. Communication flows well while all systems are able to integrate. Secondly, knowledge processes can be traced. Division of work enables employees to specialize and gain experience hence becomes more productive (Boulesnane, & Bouzidi, 2013).
Thirdly, there is more satisfaction of stakeholders such as suppliers of Hire-Jordan-Smith products, customers, as well as, employees and team of management. Fourth, the cost incurred by Hire-Jordan-Smith is lower. The cost that would be expected to be incurred to train employees to work in all systems is reduced with specialization.
Moreover, Hire-Jordan-Smith gets a competitive advantage globally from the use of separate operations system. First, there is efficiency in the management of relationships held with customers. It is easier for Hire-Jordan-Smith to understand its customers’ behavior. Secondly, the chain of supply of Hire-Jordan-Smith is proficiently managed. Thirdly, Hire-Jordan-Smith keeps a portal system which helps in educating and communicating with employees and customers. Fourth, due to the sufficiency of information from both customers of Hire-Jordan-Smith and its employees, it becomes easy for the management team in collaboration with supervisors to make reliable and productive decisions.
Theories of organizational structures
There are a number of theories developed for vibrant organizational structures. Two among the theories are systems theory and contingency theory (Sun, & Jeyaraj, 2013). For most IT organizations, systems theory is used to describe how various parts or divisions within an organization are interrelated. However, systems theory is also used to manage any form of change experienced by the organization (Cricelli, Grimaldi, & Hanandi, 2014).
In systems theory, any change experienced by one department of the organization leads to changes within other departments of the organization. Notably, different systems of IT organizations are not sometimes linearly integrated. Therefore, if one part experiences a small change, then another part may be affected by large changes (Cricelli, Grimaldi, & Hanandi, 2014). In most cases, IT organizations experience changes in equilibrium due to the adaptation of the organizations to changes in the environment.
On the other hand, IT organizations may choose to employ contingency theory to manage changes within the organization. Contingency theory mainly addresses effective management of conflicts experienced by an organization (Conaldi, Lomi, & Tonellato, 2012). Through the use of software, organizations are able to address issues raised by changes from the environment. Effective adaptation and change depend on management’s team ability to come up with contingent decisions when the organization is facing changes.
Vibrant Organizational structure of Hire-Jordan Smith
At Hire-Jordan-Smith, the structure of the organization is divided into eight parts. The first division is the general manager. Parts two and three are the first project manager, along with, the second project manager (Boulesnane, & Bouzidi, 2013). Part four refers to research and development team. Part five refers to the quality control team. Part six, on the other hand, is made up of the engineering team.
Part seven refers to the analysis team. The last part refers to the marketing team. Integration and cooperation of the eight teams lead to constant growth and profit generation of Hire-Jordan Smith. In a situation where changes are experienced in technology, two project managers are responsible for initiating projects to be used in developing up to date technology within Hire-Jordan Smith.
The general manager is responsible for approving any projects presented by either of the two project managers. The research and development team is mandated with carrying out informed and updated research on how to improve the existing technology of Hire-Jordan Smith. The quality control team checks whether the product presented for sale by the research team meets all the standards of Hire-Jordan Smith. After approval by the quality control team, the engineering team starts developing the proposed product (Boulesnane, & Bouzidi, 2013).
The analysis team then examines the product presented to them by the engineering team after development. One’s the product is analyzed fully, the marketing team introduces the product in the market, and pushes its sales through different methods of advertising.
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Connection betweenModels used in decision making and Vibrant Organizational structures
Models used in decision making have a close relationship with vibrant organizational structures. For instance, the organizational-process model is employed in investigating actions taken by the entire organization (van der Meer, Kurth-Nelson, & Redish, 2012). On the other hand, vibrant organizational structures are divided into different parts all aimed at achieving the same goal (Huang & Hutchinson, 2013). All parts, however, are given different roles. Notably, changes in an organization influence, the choice made for a model to be used in decision-making.
For instance, changes in the type of technology used in an organization may result in a change of choice of method to be used in decision-making by an organization, from a rational-actor model to an organizational-process model. Such a change may be necessary due to considerations made by the organizational-process model, on routine services carried out within an organization.
However, an appropriate combination of models used in decision making, with vibrant organizational structures positively impacts on an organization’s competitive advantage within the global market. Having an appropriate combination enables evaluation of the level of satisfaction for all stakeholders (Kuwashima, 2014). In addition, the functionality of the organization’s system is improved with a high reduction of cost.
For instance, at Hire-Jordan Smith, the structure of the organization is divided into eight parts. All the eight parts have different roles but rely on each other. The model used by Hire-Jordan-Smith is in most cases, the organizational-process model (Kuwashima, 2014). Whenever Hire-Jordan-Smith wants to launch any product or software an analysis of all the parts and the roles they will be involved in is made. Consequently, costs of production are reduced and communication improved, which boosts sales of any newly introduced Hire-Jordan-Smith product.
Conclusion
Through an examination of a rational-actor model, and the organizational-process model, this essay has shown that a rational-actor model explains decisions made by organizations, while the organizational-process model examines all process that is run within an organization. To analyze the process of making decisions the paper has looked at the case of Hire-Jordan Smith. It has come out clearly that, the models used in decision making are closely related to vibrant organizational structures. They both define connections maintained within organizations as they run their activities.
References
Boulesnane, S. & Bouzidi, L. (2013). The mediating role of information technology in the decision‐making context. Journal Of Ent Info Management, 26(4), 387-399. http://dx.doi.org/10.1108/jeim-01-2012-0001
Conaldi, G., Lomi, A., & Tonellato, M. (2012). Dynamic Models of Affiliation and the Network Structure of Problem Solving in an Open Source Software Project. Organizational Research Methods, 15(3), 385-412. http://dx.doi.org/10.1177/1094428111430541
Huang, Y. & Hutchinson, J. (2013). The roles of planning, learning, and mental models in repeated dynamic decision making. Organizational Behavior And Human Decision Processes, 122(2), 163-176. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.obhdp.2013.07.001
Sun, Y. & Jeyaraj, A. (2013). Information technology adoption and continuance: A longitudinal study of individuals’ behavioral intentions. Information & Management, 50(7), 457-465. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.im.2013.07.005
Van der Meer, M., Kurth-Nelson, Z., & Redish, A. (2012). Information Processing in Decision-Making Systems. The Neuroscientist, 18(4), 342-359. http://dx.doi.org/10.1177/1073858411435128
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Culture Differences Vis-à-vis Establishing Company Subsidiaries: Taipei, Taiwan
Culture: Taipei, Taiwan
Taipei is the capital and largest city of Taiwan, an industrialized country that has thrived economically throughout the latter part of the 20th century amid ongoing disputes on its independence with the People’s Republic of China (PRC). Understandably, Taipei’s status within Taiwan makes it the country’s undisputable economic center, providing it with a cosmopolitan milieu that can best support corporate operations. Therefore, corporations looking to establish their presence in Taiwan would definitely have to consider Taipei – setting up shop therein can gain them access to the country’s best amenities to support their operational needs (Chang & Lu, 2007).
A closer look at Taipei’s cultural makeup, singling out factors that are most relevant for corporate considerations, is essential for corporations looking to do business in the city. Firstly, Chang and Lu (2007) noted that employees Taiwan, generally speaking, manifest behavior that are “internally targeted” in terms of control. Such denotes that Taiwanese employees, particularly those in Taipei, are typically oriented to deal with issues by controlling themselves, compared to how Westerners do it through controlling the environment (Chang & Lu, 2007).
Secondly, Taiwanese employees rely heavily from strong Chinese family-kin relations for emotional support. Chang and Lu (2007), however, further elaborated that too much interference by family members can actually stress them out. Thirdly, membership in workplace subgroups is seen by Taiwanese employees as a source of security within the workplace, although it also serves as a constraint at the same time.
Being part of a subgroup at an organization in Taiwan, especially in Taipei, may provide employees with easier access to the things they need for work. However, such can restrict them from specific actions throughout the course of their membership in the name of protecting the subgroup’s interests (Chang & Lu, 2007).
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Cultural Implications in Establishing Company Subsidiaries
Given that human resource management (HRM) policies of organizations in Taiwan have inextricable links to culture (Sparrow & Wu, 1998), it is highly important to consider all the aforementioned cultural peculiarities with regard to opening a company subsidiary in Taipei, as well as hiring and managing staff for it. Firstly, in choosing Taipei as a new location for a company subsidiary, it is essential to design HR policies that adhere to the self-sufficient nature of Taiwanese employees.
An organizational culture that maximizes the orientation of Taiwanese employees on so-called “internally targeted control strategies” (Chang & Lu, 2007) can result to greater productivity, particularly in the case of team projects. Such, of course, is in line with Sparrow and Wu’s (1998) assertion that “understanding employees’ values is extremely important in today’s competitive business environment.”
Secondly, companies looking to open subsidiaries in Taipei should consider introducing family-friendly HR policies, which allows the organization to form close and transparent relations with family members of Taiwanese employees (Chang & Lu, 2007) – an example that understandably departs from the rather-individualistic Western cultural milieu, but nonetheless fit for the given context (Sparrow & Wu, 1998).
Lastly, HR policies that promote free expression, for as long as they aren’t antithetical to organizational values, must be promoted for subgroups within organizations to be influenced about the importance of maintaining their members’ rights to practice their autonomy responsibly. Membership in subgroups shouldn’t serve as an unnecessary constraint to their members’ actions (Chang & Lu, 2007; Sparrow & Wu, 1998).
References
Chang, K., and Lu, L. (2007). Characteristics of organizational culture, stressors and wellbeing: The case of Taiwanese organizations. Journal of Management Psychology, 22(6), 549-568. Retrieved from http://www.emeraldinsight.com/doi/abs/10.1108/02683940710778431
