discussion questions

M2D1: Case Study in Patient Education: Sickle Cell Anemia

In this discussion, you will be working with your peers on a very necessary skill for healthcare providers and consumers of a complex medical system- taking complicated medical information and teaching it in an easy-to-understand way.  This skill is doubly beneficial as it allows you to easily communicate with patients and their families and enables you to understand a condition, the normal anatomy and physiology of the involved system, and the path physiology of the system that lead to the condition.  In short, you are first learning about the disease and then deepening your understanding by teaching it to others.

First, let’s start with questions based on your opinion:

1. Why is patient education so important in healthcare today, when just about anyone can find information online?

In the following scenario, carefully consider the many factors at play and respond to the questions. Be sure to carefully review the following materials before completing your initial post: 

· Sickle Cell Anemia (Links to an external site.)Links to an external site. , and, if you have time

· Sickle Cell Disease (Links to an external site.)Links to an external site.

The SCENARIO:

The Scenario Emma is a very active 6 month old girl who keeps her parents busy.  Lately, what they think has been normal infant crying has taken a turn for the severe.  Emma exhibits the following symptoms that worry her parents:

· Excessive crying

· Frequent comfort nursing

· Shortness of breath

· Hands and feet appear cool-to-touch, despite wearing socks and long sleeve shirts

· Slightly paler skin lining the inside of her lips and gums 

Emma’s parents take her to the pediatrician’s office, worried that she may be sick.  As first time parents, Emma’s mom and dad are very anxious and can’t bear to watch her in pain.  Upon intake, you learn that Emma’s parents emigrated from a region of Africa where Sickle Cell anemia is genetically prevalent.

( Answer the following questions) The Questions

· What tests might be useful to rule out possibilities and diagnose Emma’s condition? Why?

· How would you explain those tests to Emma’s parents? (Include exactly what you would say)

· What path physiology is causing Emma’s symptoms: crying, shortness of breath, cold hands and feet, pale skin? (Include what you would say so that Emma’s parents, both teachers with no medical background, would understand)

· Where would you recommend that they go to learn more information? Please include a citation in APA format.