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Health Disparities Due to People Living Below the Poverty Line in America
Student’s Name
Institution Affiliation
Course Name
Instructor’s Name
Assignment Due Date
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Health disparities due to people living below the poverty line in America.
The research paper should be 14 pages not including citations. Please utilize the following
academic norms: 12-point font, double-spaced, and have one-inch margins on the top, bottom,
and side. APA format and academically cite sources as appropriate.
use at least 3 to 5 academic or professional healthcare journal sources.
Potential sources are:
The New England Journal of Medicine
Medicaid and CHIP Payment and Access Commission (MACPAC) (Links to an external
site.)—Some of the reports they put out are lengthy and a bit “in the weeds” but they
have nice overviews of subtopics on their “Medicaid 101” (Links to an external
site.) page and have occasional publications
JSTOR
SAGE
National Governor’s Association (Links to an external site.)
Center on Budget and Policy Priorities (Links to an external site.)
National Conference of State Legislatures (Links to an external site.)
Commonwealth Fund https://www.commonwealthfund.org/state-health-policy-and-
medicaid (Links to an external site.)
United Hospital Fund
Center for Health Strategies (Links to an external site.) – they’re a non-profit that has
some helpful reports on Medicaid-relevant topics like this report (Links to an external
site.)
The New York State Department of Health
Centers for Medicaid and Medicare Services (CMS)
The National Academy for State Health Policy (Links to an external site.) is another
non-profit that puts out helpful newsletters and reports.
Health Reference Center
Institute for Health Improvement
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Contents
Health Disparities Due to People Living Below the Poverty Line in America...............................3
Executive Summary.........................................................................................................................3
Introduction......................................................................................................................................3
Background of the Study.................................................................................................................3
Shorter Life Expectancy...............................................................................................................4
Higher Infant Mortality Rate........................................................................................................5
Higher Death Rates......................................................................................................................7
Mental Illness...............................................................................................................................7
Chronic Diseases..........................................................................................................................9
Lack of Access to Care..............................................................................................................11
Underinsured or Uninsured........................................................................................................12
Ways of Addressing Healthcare Disparities..................................................................................12
Raising Public and Provider Awareness....................................................................................12
Expanding Health Coverage......................................................................................................13
Reducing the Costs of Health Care for the Minority Groups....................................................13
Construction of Healthcare Facilities in All Areas....................................................................13
Employing Ethically Trained Healthcare Providers..................................................................14
Conclusion.....................................................................................................................................15
References......................................................................................................................................16
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Health Disparities Due to People Living Below the Poverty Line in America
Executive Summary
Inequities in the quality of health are experienced by groups of people depending on
different factors. Poverty and income level are two of the main factors associated. Poor people
lack access to better healthcare due to financial problems. Due to this, therefore, they face a lot
of problems such as early deaths, which occur to both adults and children at large. Likewise, they
face mental illness due to a lack of awareness and discrimination in mental health hospitals. Poor
people also experience a high mortality rate for infants. In the case of uninsured people also, they
tend to forego preventative care and wait until the disease is severe before seeking medical care.
At this stage, many illnesses are hard to treat. These people, therefore, end up dying.
Introduction
Health disparities consist of specific health differences meticulously associated with
social, financial, and ecological shortcomings. These differences, although preventable, cause
health problems, injury, and violence and hinder the affected parties from achieving optimal
health. Health disparities are caused by many factors, including racial; or ethnic group,
socioeconomic status, gender, mental health, sexual orientation, sensory or corporal incapacity,
topographical location, stage of development, and other features linked to discernment or
segregation. Health disparities are rampant in America for people below the poverty line. This
research aims to discuss the health disparities faced by those people.
Background of the Study
In America, poverty is a significant public health issue, with the most significant number
of people living in poverty recorded in 2015. During that year, approximately 43 million
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Americans lived in poverty. Their poverty is linked to a lack of employment among the youths,
poor incomes, and a rise in the cost of living, among others. Poverty and low-income level are
associated with various adverse health outcomes. Even though these happen to almost
everybody, they are more rampant and life-threatening to the poor as stable people can control
them. They include shorter life expectancy, higher child death rates, advanced death rates,
mental illness, and chronic diseases. These factors can be prevented if people have stable
economic status and acquire the necessary medical care. Given the cost of living in America,
poor people cannot access better healthcare, and thus their life is always a danger. However,
some populations groups living in poverty may experience more adverse health outcomes than
others depending on the assistance level they get from those in power.
Shorter Life Expectancy
It involves a situation where poor people live for a short period compared to rich people.
Life expectancy follows income. According to previous research, poor people have a shorter
lifespan than rich people. In the 1990s, the gap in life expectancy between the richest and poorest
was I percent, ranging from fifteen years for men to ten years for women (Mikati et al.,2018).
However, the gap continues to widen with the change in health technologies. Rich people have
entree to improved health care facilities than the less unfortunate people. When poor people
suffer from complex illnesses, most die due to a lack of money to facilitate their medical
requirements.
On the other hand, rich people can live more to access whatever medical attention they
need as they have the monetary capability. Alternatively, prosperous or economically stable
people have access to health checkups which ensures their health is mastered. Many illnesses are
identified at their early stages and controlled or treated in this situation. Given that some illnesses
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do not show their signs at early stages, they can be identified before they become chronic with
health checkups. For instance, cancer is a killer disease globally, its signs reveal themselves late,
and untreated stages give people fewer options to choose from, thus ending their lives.
Therefore, for the poor who lack the option and facilities to enable them to do health checkups,
these kinds of illnesses, in most cases, get them unaware, thus losing their lives. Therefore, these
factors give people living with poverty a shorter life expectancy than rich ones.
Higher Infant Mortality Rate
Infant death rate refers to the number of newborn demises for every 1000 conscious
births. Many factors are associated with the issue of infant mortality rates, and where the most
significant percentage is associated with poverty. For instance, congenital disabilities are
believed to affect 1 in every 33 babies born in the United States. These structural changes, which
affect any part of the infant's body, affect how the body works, how the body looks, or both.
Although many of them cannot be changed, they can be prevented when a woman is pregnant,
and that depends on how her health and that of her unborn baby are mastered.
Many defects occur during the pregnancy and especially during the first trimester; they
can be controlled if noticed before the baby's total development. However, many poverty fails
many women during this stage. It is because most poor women cannot attend advanced prenatal
clinics for the mastering of their unborn babies. In most cases, they attend the local clinics that
lack enough technology to master the health of the unborn baby. Therefore, in case their babies
have some defects, they cannot be controlled and end up being born with them. If they can't be
corrected after birth, they end up dying.
Another cause of a higher child death rate is preterm natal and low birth mass. In these
cases, babies are born before the completion of thirty-seven weeks. Likewise, it also entails
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giving birth to a child whose weight is too low to survive the earthly conditions. These
conditions are caused mainly by the poor eating habits of expectant mothers and the inability to
live a healthy life. Many expectant mothers from poor families cannot afford the required
nutrition as required to boost their health and that of their unborn babies. they therefore end up
experiencing a lot of discomforts during their pregnancy and to which can cause low birth mass
to their babies. In the case of preterm birth, the baby has not gone through the final month of
significant growth, which includes brains, lungs, and liver development. In these cases, the baby
will have initial problems in breathing, they will also face difficulties while feeding, and the
baby may also undergo developmental delay, vision problems, hearing problems, and cerebral
palsy. In most cases, those babies need to be incubated or transferred to the nursery for full
development, which is very costly. For the poor, the process may not go through due to financial
problems, and thus those babies end up losing their lives.
Health complications during pregnancy are other causes of a higher infant mortality rate.
These complications happen to the mother, the unborn baby, or both during pregnancy. These
complications may arise during the pregnancy, while others may have those complications
already existing before the pregnancy. In these cases, healthcare attention is required, which is
supposed to be done regularly to save the life of both the parent band the baby. But in most
cases, poor people cannot sustain those medical procedures due to a lack of money. Therefore, if
the complications are severe, the baby may be at risk and die before or immediately after birth.
Some complications also may risk the mother's life, which calls for the termination of pregnancy
before the required term is reached to save the mother's life. These complications include
anemia, hypertension, obesity, and mental health conditions which may become chronic if not
well mastered.
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Higher Death Rates
According to the Institute of Medicine (IOM), approximately eighteen thousand
Americans between the age of 24 to 65 die every year due to lack of health insurance. The
healthcare system of most Americans is damaged due to the high costs required in case of a
medical emergency. Therefore, if a person gets sick and cannot afford to raise the amount
required to access health services, they end up dying. The high medical costs also affect those
who have health insurance as they are limited to certain services they can acquire. Likewise,
insured Americans get a lot of challenges before getting medical services. Due to these cases,
most Americas are forced to postpone their intentions of seeking medical attention, or they end
up accruing huge debts. The limited acquisition of services for insured people also demoralizes
the uninsured from paying for insurance services as they see no difference. For instance, in most
cases, many hospitals limit patients to how they should use insurance cards. In other cases,
certain illnesses which are very expensive to treat are paid for using cash, even for the insured
patients. Therefore, it makes no difference as the cheaper medical attention that everybody can
pay (including the poor) in cash is the one people can pay by insurance.
Mental Illness
Racial/ ethnic minorities, which have the poorest people in America, predominantly
suffer from poor mental health conditions. These conditions arise from various factors, ranging
from the inability to access high-quality mental health care services, cultural and economic
stigma surrounding mental healthcare, economic discrimination, and lack of awareness about
mental health (Aboaja et al., 2022). Even though whites also get a mental illness, those from
minority and poor groups have long-lasting effects compared to the wealthy. For instance, even
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if someone notices a specific change in their relative of friends, which seems to be a health
problem, there is a probability that they may not get assistance due to the high costs imposed in
treating mental disorders. They, therefore, end up becoming worse and thus losing their lives.
For example, mental health conditions such as depression and traumatic stress are rampant in
Americans, primarily those facing difficulties in their lives. Given the high living costs, many
Americans, especially those living at the poverty level, cannot provide for their families. As the
parents watch their kids suffer due to a lack of basic needs and proper education, most of them
become distressed and thus enter into a depression. However, they cannot seek medical attention
under these conditions due to their economic status. In most cases, if the depressed relatives do
not get any help, they take their own lives and most probably those of their loved ones.
On the other hand, America is one of the countries where racism is encountered despite
its efforts to do away with it. Therefore, it is noticed everywhere, even in the healthcare centers
where some doctors prefer dealing with those from their race, leaving the minority aside as they
are viewed as poor. In mental health cases, those from poor backgrounds receive the poorest
services compared to those from royal families. It brings the gap between who is supposed to
live and who is not supposed to. Therefore, the stigmatization faced in mental healthcare by the
poor people (mostly minority groups) decreases their chances of recovering from their illness.
With the largest population of approximately 60 million Americans living with mental health
issues, nearly half of that population goes without treatment due to the high fragmentations and
high costs of treatment which are full of obstacles. It means that only the rich can access medical
attention. The situation makes those living in poverty be discriminated against due to their
economic level.
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Moreover, lack of mental health awareness is another cause of increased mental illness to
the poor individuals in the country. It is because much information about mental issues is
acquired from social media and television. However, many people living under the poverty level
cannot afford to purchase a television set or set up internet services to be able to access
information online. In these cases, these people get to no less about mental illness, and thus they
cannot tell when one of them has a mental condition. With little knowledge about the same, they
cannot comprehend some signs, find specialized treatment, and interrupt the mental well-being
disgrace that leaves many individuals anguish in secret. These individuals, therefore, end up
suffering from a condition that might have been controlled if they were rich.
Chronic Diseases
Chronic illnesses are well-being circumstances that last for one year or more and need
consistent, ongoing medicinal devotion or reduced activities of daily living or both. These
illnesses include cancer, heart disease, obesity, alcohol-related health issues, arthritis, and
diabetes and are regarded as the leading cause of death and disabilities in America (Zavala et al.,
2021). However, due to its prorogued and costly treatment, these illnesses may be a disaster to
people living under the poverty level, and thus, the poor end up no. The causes may be different,
but most of them are stress-related. For instance, alcohol and substance abuse-related health
issues are conditions caused by prolonged and excessive use of alcohol and other drugs. A lot of
influences force people to consume alcohol and drugs. In most families where children do not go
to school due to lack of school fees, many of them involve themselves in bad groups where they
begin to use drugs. If the situation is prolonged, they develop illnesses that can be hard to treat.
Likewise, psychological situations such as stress may also influence someone to use drugs to
reduce stress. It is mainly observed in low-income families where parents or children face
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stressful and challenging situations like lack of necessities. Therefore, trauma-exposed to the
kids during their early stages makes them adopt to use drugs which is a high-risk factor for
causing a mental health problem.
However, if consumed for long, it can cause long-term health-related risks, including
high blood pressure, liver diseases, different types of cancer, and weakening of immune systems,
thus increasing chances of contracting illnesses. Given the strategies used for treating alcoholism
and substance use conditions, those living under poverty may not afford the costs incurred, and
the continuous support needed. For instance, rehabilitations are so expensive and paying
counselors, with the costs going up to 175 billion dollars per year for alcoholism and 114 billion
dollars for other drugs. Due to the high amount, many people prefer living with their patients in
the condition they are in rather than looking for necessary medication.
On the other hand, cancer is another chronic disease in which cells divide uncontrollably
and spread to the surrounding tissues. It is one of the most expensive illnesses to treat. It is
money-draining and demanding in terms of medical attention. Most families fail to afford the
costs involved, thus leaving their kin to die. However, this illness can be controlled and
successfully treated if detected at its early stages. Therefore, people require annual medical
checkups to monitor any changes in their bodies to avoid such illnesses. In this situation where
poverty gets in as many people can’t afford the process, and thus, for cancer, they will end up
noticing it at late stages.
Obesity is another chronic illness that is on the rise in America. Among the other factors
associated with the condition, poor eating habits and stress are the top-notch causes. Acquiring
better food has been hard for people within the poverty level. In these cases, many people end up
consuming the available foods that may be high in carbohydrates, which is one of the leading
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causes of obesity. Likewise, obesity can be caused by a lack of physical activities and exercise.
Poor people may lack time for exercise due to their fixed time in looking for food. Therefore, the
condition may develop and is complex and costly to treat and control.
Lack of Access to Care
In America, people from certain racial and ethnic groups, and more so those who come
from low-income backgrounds, face barriers when accessing healthcare services. Poverty is one
of the major causes of illnesses and barriers to accessing healthcare when needed. This
relationship is always financial. Many illnesses are associated with the quality-of-life people live.
Therefore, if someone cannot afford a quality life, they may get some illnesses related to poor
eating habits and lack of physical exercise, which is vital to everyone. The relationship between
poverty and access to healthcare is also associated with other influences associated with
deficiency, such as lack of info on suitable health endorsing tactics or lack of one voice that can
make social services work for them. Poor people have got no say in today’s world, and only the
rich are treated with dignity in every healthcare sector. It is becoming an issue, and the poor
continue to suffer and die in silence due to requirements and obstacles for accessing treatment.
Similarly, many health facilities are located very far distances from the villages. Many
people need to subsidize travel costs to seek medical attention or targeted health promotions
from far distances. Others need to do conditional money transfers as the only facilities they seek
are located in different states from there. In this situation, the accrued costs of transport and ones
for treatment may become huge, making people give up and seek alternatives from herbs and
traditional medicines, which may not be effective. On the other hand, others fail to access
medical care in the fear that they may be diagnosed with a severe illness that they may not afford
to treat and thus prefer staying in the darkness and not knowing what they are suffering from.
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Underinsured or Uninsured
The People who are trying to make their ends meet face the issue of being underinsured
or uninsured. It is because of the monthly or annual contributions required, which most people
cannot afford. In these cases, getting medical attention will be hard for them due to high charges
in America’s hospital sector. For the underinsured people, it means that their health is partly
insured, and in case they want to attain treatment, they will be required to pay half the price of
the medical bills. For example, uninsured adults who experience difficulties such as respiratory
failure, hip fracture, stroke, and other acute diseases are likely to face harmful health
consequences and are more susceptible to untimely demises. Furthermore, the uninsured people
also have a high possibility of not receiving preventive care, thus getting burdened by diseases.
Ways of Addressing Healthcare Disparities
Little is being done on discrimination on economic status, and poor people remain treated
as an option in every healthcare sector. The government should do whatever it partakes to ensure
everyone is treated with dignity despite their economic background. The following ways can be
used in addressing the issue;
Raising Public and Provider Awareness
A lot of efforts to raise the public's awareness of the economic status of health care are
necessary. It will ensure that poor people receive the same quality of care as rich people. Many
people may think it’s normal to receive the kind of services they receive because they lack
money (Hindorff et al., 2018). But with the democracy everyone is entitled to, the country is for
all people, and they should be treated the same way.
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Expanding Health Coverage
Health insurance in America matters a lot for the citizens, given the high costs associated
with the attainment of medical care. However, it should determine the extent to which medical
assistance is covered. Covering the essential treatment means that many people will still suffer if
they face more significant problems with their health. The insurance providers should consider
how their beneficiaries get the treatment and which healthcare facilities they get treated from if
they are sick. They must expand their coverage to ensure it covers at least the most expensive
and disturbing illnesses. If possible, people with healthcare coverage should also receive free
medication despite the illness, even if it will call for the payment of the debts after they are out of
the hospital.
Reducing the Costs of Health Care for the Minority Groups
The government and health sector have a lot to do to ensure health security for everyone
regardless of their economic status. For instance, the ministry should reduce the out-of-pocket
costs of treatment for the poor, doing away with direct care costs at the point of service. It can be
done by abolishing user fees for the less fortunate or expanding the health insurance coverage,
depth, and breadth for the poor citizens. Likewise, the government should increase the efficiency
of care to reduce the consumption of care. It can be adopted by reducing irrational drug
prescribing, generating rules that will strengthen patient referral systems, and improving the
quality of healthcare service providers at the lower levels.
Construction of Healthcare Facilities in All Areas
Government should focus on reducing inequalities when determining the health status or
healthcare utilization. As many people cannot access services due to the long distances they need
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to travel, providing those services closer to the poor is essential. It is recommended that the
construction of hospitals' inaccessible areas is done to ensure everyone can access those facilities
without additional costs of transport and accommodation. in doing so, however, they should seek
to improve the number and capacity of providers in underserved communities. It will help reduce
the queues to see a doctor. In many cases, many people end up dying in the queues due to a
limited number of hospital staff. If need be, the government should seek partnerships with
private organizations to change the well-being of citizens. They should also ensure the employed
team is very qualified to deal with many illnesses so that the patients do not need to be
transferred to distant hospitals. it will also help in cutting costs incurred in treatment.
Employing Ethically Trained Healthcare Providers
Many providers in health care lack ethics that are vital and should remain an inseparable
part of clinical medicine. Lack of these ethics means that the patients will suffer at the hand of
the providers. Therefore, they should be closely mastered to ensure they act as per the ethical
rules to ensure they do not harm the patients and respect the values and preferences of the people
they are dealing with (Burgess et al., 2019). In most cases when the providers lack ethics, they
become corrupt when providing services and may require to be corrupted to be able to give their
best to patients. In these cases, the poor and who lack capability to corrupt ends up suffering the
most.
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Conclusion
Health disparities are a big concern in America. Despite other factors, the poverty level is
one of the main factors leading to the same. Poor people cannot access health care services due
to a lack of enough money or due to discrimination available among healthcare providers.
Therefore, poverty brings about differences that need to be looked upon to ensure equality in the
healthcare field. Examples of these disparities include higher mortality levels due to lack of
treatment and early detection of dangerous diseases and a higher infant mortality rate, which
poor living habits may cause for expectant mothers. Likewise, chronic illness and lack of access
to care are health concerns facing the poor. The need to attain medication but lack of money to
facilitate the same becomes a traumatic condition that may develop into extreme mental health
conditions. However, these differences can be dealt with if the government and the ministry of
health join to make changes to accommodate everybody. Ways such as constructing medical
facilities across the country and employing ethically trained people are one way to curb the
health disparities. Likewise, be ensuring everyone gets expanded healthcare insurance is also
vital to ensure inclusion.
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References
Aboaja, A., Wahab, A., Cao, Y. Y., O'Higgins, M., & Torales, J. (2022). Mental health in the
republic of Paraguay.FBJPsych International,F19(1), 10-12.
https://www.cambridge.org/core/journals/bjpsych-international/article/mental-health-in-
the-republic-of-paraguay/D6438199DB2B6FC96A953A425746BFB8
Burgess, D. J., Bokhour, B. G., Cunningham, B. A., Do, T., Gordon, H. S., Jones, D. M., ... &
Gollust, S. E. (2019). Healthcare providers’ responses to narrative communication about
racial healthcare disparities.FHealth communication,F34(2), 149-161.
https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/10410236.2017.1389049
Hindorff, L. A., Bonham, V. L., & Ohno-Machado, L. (2018). Enhancing diversity to reduce
health information disparities and build an evidence base for genomic
medicine.FPersonalized medicine,F15(5), 403-412.
https://www.futuremedicine.com/doi/abs/10.2217/pme-2018-0037
Mikati, I., Benson, A. F., Luben, T. J., Sacks, J. D., & Richmond-Bryant, J. (2018). Disparities in
distribution of particulate matter emission sources by race and poverty status.FAmerican
journal of public health,F108(4), 480-485.
https://ajph.aphapublications.org/doi/abs/10.2105/AJPH.2017.304297
Zavala, V. A., Bracci, P. M., Carethers, J. M., Carvajal-Carmona, L., Coggins, N. B., Cruz-
Correa, M. R., ... & Fejerman, L. (2021). Cancer health disparities in racial/ethnic
minorities in the United States.FBritish journal of cancer,F124(2), 315-332.
https://www.nature.com/articles/s41416-020-01038-6
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Infection Control in a Care Home
Introduction and Background
Bradshaw et. al. (2012) The importance of care homes to residents and the staff.
Morens & Fauci (2018) Types of infectious diseases and their causes.
Hey (2015) History and practice of infectious diseases.
Methods of infection control
Planning, Implementation and Evaluation of the Activity
Planning
Introduce hand hygiene
Gordon et. al. (2020) Isolation and testing
Hashimoto et. al. (2016) Sterile instruments and device.
Use personal protective equipment, for example gloves, eyewear and masks.
Gershon et. al. (2000) Introduction of sharps safety with the assistance of engineering
and work practice controls.
Proper waste disposal management
Implementation
Pittet (2000) Improving compliance with hand hygiene in care homes.
Choi & Kim (2016) Predictors of respiratory hygiene and cough etiquette.
Ford (2014) Implementing AORN recommended practices for sharps safety with the
assistance of engineering and work practice controls.
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Pugliese et. al. (2010) Safe injection practices that is aseptic technique for parenteral
medications.
Chinn & Sehulster (2003) Effects of comprehensive infection control programs
Evaluation
Çiriş Yildiz et. al. (2022) Evaluation of user comfort and user attitude in personal
protective equipment, for example gloves, eyewear and masks.
Evaluation of use of sharps safety with the assistance of engineering and work practice
controls.
Evaluation of proper waste management.
Mozley et. al. (2017) Evaluation on inspection and testing.
Professional Development
Educating medical and public health professionals on infection prevention protocols to
facilitate emergency preparedness.
Wilder-Smith & Freedman (2020) Isolating and treating infected individuals to contain
the spread of infectious diseases.
Maintaining guidelines for infection control.
Owen & Meyer (2012) Promote future role and good practice
Evidence based practice
Greene et.al. (2018) Challenges team working. Implementation, enjoyable and
confidence.
Lanigan (2011) Presenting to community experience and information.
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Variation in Healthcare
Variation refers to the transformation of the performance process over time, the
fluctuations in the processes of activities in a given period. Change naturally occurs in all
processes and is to be expected since it is a consequence of the application or utilization of
specific materials, equipment, procedures, electronic systems, regulations, and practices. The
potential proponents of variations in the healthcare industry may impact the teamwork and
processes of a health care organization thus inhibiting its functionality. The healthcare industry is
experiencing rapid fundamental changes which possess implications which are not entirely
visible. The introduction of new regulations and laws are a source of the variations in the
healthcare industry, their effects have influenced the differences in healthcare volumes and
demographics. Healthcare providers are increasingly faced with the challenging and dynamic
changes in the healthcare industry which are as a consequence of the current uncertain economic
situations, availability of limited resources, constant shifts in the regulatory requirement, low
reimbursement for the medical services, and the costs of health care services. The variations in
the healthcare industry are also as a consequence of competition, lifestyle changes, innovations
in medical technologies, and demographic shifts thus affecting the delivery of high-quality
services. The adoption of strategic management approaches by health care organizations is very
instrumental when building a long-term framework to adequately address these dynamic changes
thus maintaining the smooth and standardized delivery of healthcare services. The management
of healthcare organizations must perform an evaluation of their business operations and
environment thus allowing them to monitor and make strategic decisions which address the
variations. The healthcare industry is driven towards the enhancement of the welfare and
wellbeing of the patients in their care by championing health and health services through the
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adoption of an effective organizational culture, teamwork, internal communication, and attitudes
towards learning (Borkowski, 2015).
Cycle time is the total time of a process; this is the entire time which a process goes through
before it is successfully completed. Cycle time includes the process times in which a unit is acted
upon thus bringing it closer to the completion; it also includes the delay duration in which a unit
of work is expended in wait for the next action. The sources of value added work in the
construction project are visible in processes one, six, seven, eight, and nine since the work in
these processes is valuable, and the results are visible in the finished product. The sources of
non-value-added work in the construction projected are found in processes two, three, four, five,
ten, and eleven. The main opportunities to improve the cycle time of this process on both actual
time used and the potential times can be met through cutting the time for all the tasks; this can be
achieved through monitoring and ensuring the teams are aligned and are focused on the primary
objectives of the process. The resolution of the open issues in step ten of the construction project
required a potential of 104 hours and an actual time of 106 hours. There was an opportunity for
improvement (OFI) in this step if the teams were properly aligned and focused on the goals of
the project, then their productivity would have been increased significantly. The elimination of
the unnecessary processing steps in the process will lead to an increase in the opportunities for
improvement. The most challenging and critical issues when designing a sound cycle time like
the construction project is felt in the management and the balancing of the value-added and the
non-value-added work. The scheduling and allocation of the time for each task or step is
challenging since the customer is willing to pay for products or services which add value to their
experiences.
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Improving Patient Wait Times
The sustained reduction of the patient wait times in the emergency department is a
challenging issue in the healthcare industry. The improvement of patient wait times requires the
transformation of the processes of a health care organization; it also requires the implementation
of changes which lead to the transformation of the organizational culture. The transformation of
the organizational culture will enhance the skills and competence level of the healthcare
providers thus leading to better performance management and visible leadership. Reducing the
time people spend in the emergency department is a complex health system issue which cannot
be solved by focusing on the hospital emergency department alone since it requires the adoption
of new processes and redesign, this helps in the reduction of wait times in the emergency
department. The implementation of prompt emergency care can lead to the reduction of patient
wait times; it requires the management of a healthcare organization to make improvements
across the entire system. The delays in hospitals are as a result of mismatched supply and
demand, care and reimbursement complexities, the provider-focused approach towards
scheduling, and the financial and geographic barriers. Improving patient times can be achieved
through the revamp of the front-line scheduling processes thus effectively addressing the spike in
patient volume since the scheduling process takes into account the forces of supply and demand
(Khare, Powell, Reinhardt, and Lucenti, 2009). The management of a healthcare organization
need to adopt the reduction of patient wait times a part of their organizational culture, the
implementation of policies driven towards the reduction of patient wait times will adequately
address this issue. The management of the organization needs to evaluate its workflow and
integrate information technology systems into its processes. The management needs to
incorporate patient preferences in its scheduling process thus making the operations of the
23
healthcare organization focus on the patients, not the providers. The management also needs to
consider the alternative methods of healthcare delivery thus easing the burden of waiting.
References
Khare, R. K., Powell, E. S., Reinhardt, G., & Lucenti, M. (2009). Adding more beds to the
emergency department or reducing admitted patient boarding times: which has a more
significant influence on emergency department congestion?.FAnnals of emergency
medicine,F53(5), 575-585.
24
Peer Responses: Choose two peers to review their video. Make sure they are peers from
two different groups.
Peer Reviews
Each student must respond to two peers' posts by providing a short explanation
with an evidence-based rationale to the statement.
The student may use the required course materials or another scholarly resource.
However, the page number of any textbook must be included to receive full credit.
Students will receive full credit once they have 1) submitted their video
presentation and 3) responded to two other students using evidence-based
rationale.
Submission Instructions:
Upload your group's video into Canvas Studio and post it as your initial post. You
must post the video in order to view your peers' posts.
You should respond to at least two of your peers by reviewing their videos.
All replies must be constructive and use literature where possible.
Please post your initial response by 11:59 PM ET Thursday, and comment on the
posts of two classmates by 11:59 PM ET Sunday.
Late work policies, expectations regarding proper citations, acceptable means of
responding to peer feedback, and other expectations are at the discretion of the
instructor.
You can expect feedback from the instructor within 48 to 72 hours from the
Sunday due date.
Grading Rubric
Your assignment will be graded according to the grading rubric.
Discussion Rubric
Criteria Ratings
25
Peer Reviews
Distinguished -3 points
Identifies and demonstrates a
sophisticated understanding of the
issues, problems, and concepts.
Excellent - 2 points
Identifies and demonstrates an
accomplished understanding of most
issues, problems, and concepts.
Fair - 1 points
Identifies and demonstrates an
acceptable understanding of most
issues, problems, and concepts.
Use of Citations,
Writing
Mechanics and
APA Formatting
Guidelines
Distinguished -2 points
Effectively uses the literature
and other resources to inform
their work. Exceptional use of
citations and extended
referencing. High level of APA
precision and free of grammar
and spelling errors.
Excellent -1.5 points
Effectively uses the literature
and other resources to inform
their work. Moderate use of
citations and extended
referencing. Moderate level of
APA precision and free of
grammar and spelling errors.
Fair - 1 point
Ineffectively uses the literature and
other resources to inform their work.
Moderate use of citations and extended
referencing. APA style and writing
mechanics need more precision and
attention to detail.
Response 1
Despite the fact that Schizoaffective disorder is more common and has slightly harsh
symptoms in males as compared to female patients, it is surprising that when it comes to life
expectancy, male patients tend to score higher than females. Still on that, the disorder as of now
has no cure, which entails that patients are required to take long-term medication which will
improve the condition gradually as time goes by (Archibald et al, 2019). There is however
medication like antipsychotic drugs that respond effectively to patience in dealing the situations.
Without the right medication, the situation tends to advance to profound stages that could result
in mental illness that may take down the social functionality of the patients.
Schizoaffective clutter may be a complex mental wellbeing condition that combines highlights of
both schizophrenia and disposition clutters (such as bipolar clutter or major depressive clutter).
Whereas it is genuine that a few thinks about have recommended that schizoaffective clutter may
be somewhat more common in guys which male patients may display more extreme indications
26
in certain cases, it is critical to note that the introduction and course of the clutter can change
broadly among people.
With respect to life expectancy, it is fundamental to get it that schizoaffective clutter itself isn't
specifically connected to a shorter life expectancy. Be that as it may, like numerous mental
wellbeing conditions, people with schizoaffective clutter may confront challenges related to
physical wellbeing, pharmaceutical side impacts, and other variables that may affect by and large
well-being. Components such as get to to healthcare, way of life choices, and comorbid
conditions can also influence life anticipation in people with schizoaffective clutter.
As said, there's as of now no remedy for schizoaffective clutter. Treatment regularly includes a
combination of drugs, psychotherapy, and psychosocial back. Antipsychotic medicines are
frequently endorsed to oversee insane indications, whereas disposition stabilizers or
antidepressants may be utilized to address mood-related side effects. It is basic for people with
schizoaffective clutter to work closely with healthcare suppliers to discover the foremost
effective treatment arrange for their particular needs.
Long-term pharmaceutical administration is by and large fundamental for people with
schizoaffective clutter to assist oversee indications and avoid backslide. Be that as it may,
treatment plans can be custom-made to each person, and regular observing and alterations may
be made to optimize the benefits of pharmaceutical whereas minimizing side impacts.
Early and steady treatment, together with a comprehensive approach to care, can offer assistance
people with schizoaffective clutter accomplish way better results and keep up social usefulness.
Strong treatments, such as cognitive-behavioral treatment and social aptitudes preparing, can
27
moreover be profitable in making a difference people oversee the challenges related with the
clutter and progress their by and large quality of life.
Response 2
While cocaine and methamphetamine might be the most commonly abused stimulants,
prescriptive stimulants like Concerta are the most aggressive and widely abused with lethal
effects on the abuser. Stimulants speed up the central nervous systems, which explains the
increased temperatures and distracted sleep patterns as the body is overworked. Since the
disorder is not caused, but rather indicated, the effective way to treat is by therapy to convince
the patient to quit and lead a healthy life, they might, however, need some medications due to the
dependence on addictive stimulants. On life expectancy, regardless of gender, the stimulants
inflict significant damage making the victims die at a younger age due to damage by the drugs.
For daily consumption, they cut down to almost 20 years in the person’s lifetime (Ronsley et al,
2020).
It is fundamental to clarify a few mistakes within the information given. Concerta isn't an
unlawful or commonly mishandled drug like cocaine and methamphetamine. Instep, Concerta
may be a medicine pharmaceutical containing methylphenidate, a stimulant commonly utilized to
treat consideration shortfall hyperactivity clutter (ADHD). When utilized as endorsed and
beneath appropriate therapeutic supervision, Concerta can be secure and successful in overseeing
ADHD side effects.
In any case, like all medicines, abuse or mishandle of Concerta can lead to hurtful impacts and
indeed deadly results. When taken in higher measurements or without a medicine, Concerta can
28
lead to genuine wellbeing dangers, counting expanded heart rate, tall blood weight, sporadic
pulse, and mental reliance.
Compelling treatment for stimulant abuse or mishandle regularly includes a combination of
behavioral treatment and, in case fundamental, pharmaceutical administration. Behavioral
treatment makes a difference people get it the basic issues driving their substance utilize and
create adapting procedures to lead a solid life without depending on stimulants.
With respect to life anticipation, it is fundamental to recognize that the affect of sedate mishandle
changes broadly depending on different components, counting the individual's in general
wellbeing, the degree of medicate utilize, and the nearness of any co-occurring wellbeing
conditions. Whereas stimulant abuse can have unfavorable wellbeing impacts, it is challenging to
quality a particular lessening in life anticipation exclusively to medicate mishandle. Each case is
special, and person results can contrast essentially.
It is significant to depend on exact and evidence-based data when talking about substance abuse
and its impacts. Deception can propagate stigmatization and misconception of people battling
with substance use disorders. Looking for proficient direction from healthcare suppliers and solid
sources can give distant better;a much better;a higher;a stronger;an improved">a distant better
understanding of substance utilize and its treatment
References
Archibald, L., Brunette, M. F., Wallin, D. J., & Green, A. I. (2019). Alcohol use disorder and
schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder.FAlcohol research: current reviews,F40(1).
29
Ronsley, C., Nolan, S., Knight, R., Hayashi, K., Klimas, J., Walley, A., ... & Fairbairn, N.
(2020). Treatment of stimulant use disorder: a systematic review of reviews.FPloS
one,F15(6), e0234809.
Peer Posts For response:
Addiction is a worldwide issue that affects a large percentage of Americans. Examining the
statistics behind substance use in American, the America Addictions Centers, in 2017, states
that 19.7 million American adults battled a substance use disorder. A large percentage, 74% of
the 19.7 million American adults, struggled with alcohol use (Thomas, 2020). Almost half of the
population battling substance use, 8.5 million American adults, also suffers from a mental health
disorder (Thomas, 2020). Examining gender, men are more susceptible to develop a substance
use disorder by almost double when compared to women (Thomas, 2020). Comparing ethnicity,
American Indians and Alaska Natives have the highest incident of substance abuse at an
astonishing 12.8% of the population (Thomas, 2020). Caucasians are 3rdat a rate of 7.7%
followed by African Americans, Hispanics, Pacific Islanders and Asian Americans having the
lowest rate (Thomas, 2020). Assessing the costs, substance abuse ad addiction cost America
more than $740 billion annually inhealthcareexpenses and crim-related costs (Thomas, 2020).
The definition of addiction by Saddock, Saddock, and Ruiz (2015) states that, “addiction is
the repeated and increased use of a substance, the deprivation of which gives rise to symptoms
of distress and an irresistible urge to use the agent again which leads to physical and mental
deterioration. Although initial drug use may be voluntary or linked to trait impulsivity, drug
abusers gradually lose control which leads to compulsive behaviors such as drug seeking
(Stahl, 2013). The definitions states this as repeated drug use gives rise to symptoms of
distress and irresistible urge to use again. Neuroanatomically can explain a major reason
behind this impulsivity and compulsivity. The Thalamus to the ventromedial prefrontal cortex,
and to the ventral striatum is considered the top-down response for the circuitry of impulsivity
and reward (Stahl, 2013). When this top-down response is inadequate or is overcome by activity
from the bottom-up ventral striatum, impulsive behaviors result (Stahl, 2013). The initial
impulses to do drugs or perform certain behaviors give a “high” response that creates
satisfaction (Stahl, 2013). Another major pathway involved with addiction is the mesolimbic
dopamine circuit as use of the substance acts as a reward or increases dopamine in the ventral
striatum (Sthal, 2013). This repeated use progresses to compulsive use driven by reward and
desire to reduce distressing symptoms often is the process of addiction.
The objective physical and mental findings when examining a client with substance abuse
disorder can highly depend on the substance used. For example, objective findings for an
individual who uses stimulants such as amphetamine includes dilated pupils, restlessness,
hyperactivity, weight loss, and sweating (Volkow, Koob, & McLellan, 2016). Whereas an
30
individual who abuses alcohol may present with inappropriate behavior, impaired judgement,
slurred speech, impaired coordination, nausea and vomiting, or fatal seizures (Stahl, 2013).
First-line pharmacotherapy and psychotherapy interventions for opioid-use disorder
includes maintenance therapy with agonists or partial agonists such as methadone or
buprenorphine (Volkow, Koob, & McLellan, 2016). These agents are often used to help control
symptoms of withdrawal, cravings, targeting patients with mild to moderate physical
dependence (Stahl & In Grady, 2017). Two main pharmacological agents used to treat alcohol
use disorder is naltrexone and acamprosate (Stahl & In Grady, 2017). If alcohol use disorder is
severe, benzodiazepines are a first-line treatment to reduce the risk of alcohol withdrawal
(Volkow, Koob, & McLellan, 2016). Therapy for alcohol use disorder is often a combination of
cognitive behavioral therapy and the use of support groups such as alcoholics anonymous
(Volkow, Koob, & McLellan, 2016). Therapy for opioid use disorder is too a combination of
cognitive behavioral therapy and the use of support groups such as narcotics anonymous
(Volkow, Koob, & McLellan, 2016).
References
Thomas, S. (2020). America Addictions Centers: Alcohol and Drug Abuse Statistics. Retrieved
fromhttps://americanaddictioncenters.org/rehab-guide/addiction-statistics
Sadock, B. J., Sadock, V. A. & Ruiz, P. (2015). Kaplan and Sadock’s synopsis of psychiatry:
Behavioral sciences/clinical psychiatry (11th ed.). Philadelphia, PA: Wolters Kluwer
Stahl, S. M. (2013). Stahl's essential psychopharmacology: Neuroscientific basis and practical
applications. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.
Stahl, S. M., & In Grady, M. M. (2017). Stahl's essential psychopharmacology: Prescriber's
guide. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.
Volkow, N. D., Koob, G. F., & McLellan, A. T. (2016). Neurobiologic advances from the brain
disease model of addiction.New England Journal of Medicine,374(4), 363-371.
31
Reply 2 Eric-Paul Olsson
I acknowledge that substance use disorder is a crisis in the United States. Over the past, the
topic has received increasing attention in the United States. Statistics show that close to 19.3
million people in America are affected with substance use disorder. A breakdown of this is that
14.4 million are struggling with alcohol use, 7.4 million Americans are struggling with illicit
drugs, and 2.5 million individuals are struggling with both illicit drugs and alcohol. However, the
often use of drugs can deliver diverse sensations for individuals.
It is true that substances that are used or abused are generally agents that provide desirable
and pleasant effect to individuals. Sure, the positive reinforcement at times becomes a negative
reinforcement scenario. Research shows that, approximately 50% of individuals with substance
issues have diagnosable mental illness. Nevertheless, addiction and substance abuse come with
unpleasant side effects. Individuals begin to have unpleasant withdrawal experience and adapt
having the agent. Utilizing the examples of heroin and opiates, it is evident that the substance is
quiet dangerous and can cause direct harm to the body.
Treatment for this issue can be costly, the best treatment option for an individual suffering
with substance abuse are mainly consistent of psychotherapeutic and pharmacologic
intervention. Most importantly, the use of support groups, psychotherapy for talks, and
motivational interviewing is fundamental for those with substance used disorder.
References
Kimura, D. (1967). Functional asymmetry of the brain in dichotic listening. Cortex, 3(2), 163-
178.
32
Hugdahl, Kenneth. “12 Dichotic Listening in the Study of Auditory Laterality. The asymmetrical
brain.
Bryden, M. P., Munhall, K., & Allard, F. (1983). Attentional biases and the right-ear effect in
dichotic listening. Brain and language, 18(2), 236-248.
Bonanno, G. A., Davis, P. J., Singer, J. L., & Shwartz, G. E. (1991). The repressor personality
and avoidant information processing: A dichotic listening study. Journal of Research in
Personality, 25(4), 386-401.
The nursing care has evolved from disease- centered to the phase centered on human
health. The earliest phase was disease-centric. At this phase, nursing is perceived as a specialized
occupation, and nurses must undergo specialized training before they start their careers. Another
feature of this phase is that nursing is subordinate to medical treatment, and nurses are doctor's
assistants and nursing work. The main content is to implement doctor's orders and various
nursing technical operations, and gradually form a set of more standardized disease nursing
routines and nursing technology operation routines in the practice of long-term disease care.
Lastly, at this phase, nursing only helps doctors eliminate local symptoms of patients, But it
ignores human integrity (Institute of Medicine 2011a).
Then came the Patient-centered nursing stage. This stage emphasize that nursing is a
specialty, and the knowledge system of nursing is gradually formed. On the one hand, nursing
science absorbs relevant theories of related disciplines as its own theoretical basis, such as the
concept of health, the concept of environment, general system theory, and adaptation theory; on
the other hand, nursing staff through their own practice and research, Many nursing models have
been established, such as Oren's self-care model and Roy's adaptation model (Institute of
Medicine 2011a). All these have formed the theoretical framework and knowledge system of
33
nursing. In addition, this stage take patients as the center, and carry out overall nursing of various
aspects including physiology, psychology and society. Nursing staff apply the working methods
of nursing procedures to solve the health problems of patients and meet the health needs of
patients. The workplace of nurses is mainly confined to hospitals, and the service targets of
nursing are mainly patients, who have not yet been involved in group health and national health.
Then there is phase centered on human health. The characteristics of nursing at this stage
are: First, nursing has become an independent applied discipline that integrates knowledge of
nature, society, and human sciences in the modern scientific system and serves human health.
Second, the task of nursing changed from nursing disease to promoting health; the working
object expanded from the original patient to all human beings; the workplace went from the
hospital to the community (Institute of Medicine 2011a).
Practice competencies between associate and baccalaureate education
The first similarity between associate and baccalaureate education is that they all have the
same background. The difference is attributable to extend and nature of training and
specialization. As revealed by Davis-Martin (1990) baccalaureate nurses seems to have better
experience and possesses a wide range of nursing competencies. Unlike associate nurses,
baccalaureate specializes in their areas of profession. On the other hand, associate can specialize
and at the same time perform other duties such as leadership which they did not specialize in.
Nursing care differences between BSN nurse and ADN nurse
The way BSN-prepared nurse would manage a patient differ significantly from the way AND-
nurse would do. First, BSN nurse is likely to display better professionalism in terms of
communication. On the other hand, AND nurse would be more formal. BSN would tend to offer
34
more information to patient’s relatives, offer more patient-centric services than AND nurse. This
is because BSN nurse have more on-field experience. The purpose of their training is to expand
practical experience, together with obtaining deep theoretical knowledge on the problem of their
specialty, is realized in educational and research activities and helps to ensure the quality of
nursing care.
Significance of evidence based practice to nursing care
Any professional decision-making should be derived from scientific evidence, and
nursing is no exception. Evidence-based nursing (EBN) has become a focus of current nursing
development and it must become the only way to promote the development of nursing
specialization. EBN refers to the process by which caregivers carefully, explicitly, and wisely
combine scientific conclusions with their clinical experience and patient wishes in the process of
planning their nursing activities to obtain evidence and make clinical nursing decisions
(Finkelman & Kenner, 2013a). Evidence-based questions are clearly structured: Evidence-based
questions are a structured arrangement and analysis of clinical problems, which follow the PICO
principle, namely, research objects (population), interventions / exposure factors (intervention /
exposure) ), Control measures and outcomes. For example: For patients with PU, how to
alleviate abdominal pain is a problem that needs to be solved, so the following evidence-based
questions are raised according to the PICO principle: For patients with PU abdominal pain (P),
music therapy ( I) Is it more effective than non-music therapy (C) in alleviating pain scores (O)
in PU patients? (2) Systematic retrieval of nursing evidence: The retrieval of evidence includes
clinical nursing practice guidelines and original research (quantitative or qualitative research),
etc. First determine the clear search terms according to PICO, formulate the search strategy, and
then look for evidence from the evidence-based resource database, if not, then look for the
35
original research database. Nursing evidence-based resource database generally includes:
Cochrane Library / OVID Database All EBM Review module, National Guideline Clearinghouse
(NGC), Australia's JBI Evidence-Based Healthcare Center website (Joanna Briggs Institute, JBI),
and Ontario Canada Registered Nurses Association of Ontario (RNAO), etc. If the search results
of the above secondary research resources do not answer the clinical care questions raised, you
need to search the database based on the original research resources, such as Medline
(Brownson, Colditz & Proctor, 2012).
In February 2004, IAF developed forecasts that were essential in stimulating the thinking
of quite a number of healthcare leaders. On that note, IAF used the findings to come up with
three different scenarios for patient-centered care. First, excellent systems coverage is a crucial
scenario created by IAF. A remarkable scientific knowledge with public understanding has a
positive impact in transforming U.S healthcare. Based on the latest evidence, patients understand
and expect high-quality patient-centered care. Sure, the large investment in excellent systems
coverage by Americans is paying off in fundamental health gains for everyone.
Secondly, collaboration in health fosters a best contribution to the health sector. I mean,
the motive transforms limited resources into significant health outcomes. Professionals and
patients share basic knowledge and responsibility for practices and decisions that stimulate
evidence-based medicine and safety. Web relationships has made it easy to navigate processes,
access to open information, and above all acquiring of the right support and coaching. Next,
consumers have become informed and exercise their clout. Today, United States health sectors
boasts a remarkable medical advances for consumer to acquire by paying. Although there is a
basic tier of healthcare, anyone can acquire or purchase multiple tiers available up to concierge
36
care. Lastly, the most affluent Americans get to enjoy patient-centered healthcare that has been
made to many.
Link of nurses with interdisciplinary team
The ability to communicate effectively is an art that everyone should own. In our
turbulent information and technological time, the role of communication is incredibly growing.
Medical workers in the course of their production activities spend from 50 to 90% of their time
communicating. In order not to infringe on the rights of the patient, this process should be based
on the principles of morality, ethics, deontology and contribute to the satisfaction of human
health needs. One of the most important conditions for effective cooperation of a nurse with a
patient is the presence of psychological contact between them. A way to establish such contact is
through communication. In addition, when communicating with a patient, the nurse must create
an atmosphere of trust between the doctor and the patient, help increase the credibility of the
doctor and medical staff, and observe medical secrecy.
37
References
Brownson, R.C., Colditz, G.A., & Proctor, E.K. (2012). Dissemination and implementation
research in health: Translating science to practice. New York: Oxford University Press,
Inc.
Davis-Martin S. (1990). Research on the differences between baccalaureate and associate degree
nurses. NLN Publ. 1990 15-2339):109-45.
Finkelman, A & Kenner, CA. (2013a). (3rd Ed). Teaching IOM: Implications of the IOM reports
for nursing education. Washington, DC: American Nurses Association.
Institute of Medicine. (2011a). The future of nursing: Leading change, advancing health
[prepared by Robert Wood Johnson Foundation Committee Initiative on the Future of
Nursing]. Washington, DC: National Academies Press.
38
PEER POST FOR RESPONSE:
Does treatment for ADHD depend on the persons weight, severity of the ADHD, or gender?
According to Yearwood, Pearson, and Newland (2012) treatment for ADHD can be dependent on
the age of the child and the severity of symptoms. Another factor that can effect the treatment is
family stability and support.Symptomsof ADHD may present differently in boys andgirls. Research
hasshown that boys with ADHD usually show externalized symptoms, such as running and
impulsivity(Kinman, 2012). Girls with ADHD typically show internalized symptoms. These symptoms
include inattentiveness and low self-esteem. Boys also tend to be more physically aggressive, while
girls tend to be more verbally aggressive(Kinman, 2012).
2. What are CAM therapies and who would be appropriate for using them?
Complementary and alternative medicine is defined as a group of diverse medical
andhealthcaresystems, practices, and products that are not presently considered to be part of
conventional medicine (Drews, 2019). Some possibilities for CAM therapy include cognitive training,
neurofeedback, dietary therapy (such as restricted elimination diet), polyunsaturated fatty acids,
amino acids, minerals, herbal therapy, homeopathy, and physical activity. According to Catala-Lopez
et al. (2017), more research is needed before recommending CAM therapies to children and
adolescents with ADHD. However, a healthy, balanced diet and regular exercise should be stressed
for all children and adolescents.
3. What are some complications for adulthood if ADHD is not properly recognized and treated
early?
39
Untreated ADHD can pose a tremendous amount of psychological, financial, academic, and social
burden to the individual. Untreated ADHD during childhood is a risk factor for later adult mental
health issues, which extend beyond deficiencies in academics. According to Hamed, Kauer, and
Stevens (2015), untreated ADHD also impairs social and occupational functioning and increases the
risk of developing comorbid disorders like anxiety, depression, personality disorders, antisocial
behaviors, and substance use disorder.
References
Catalá-López, F., Hutton, B.,Núñez-Beltrán, A., Page, M. J.,Ridao, M.,MacíasSaint-Gerons, D., …
Moher, D. (2017). The pharmacological and non-pharmacological treatment of attention deficit
hyperactivity disorder in children and adolescents: A systematic review with network meta-analyses
ofrandomizedtrials.PlosOne,12(7).https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0180355
Drews, R. E. (2019).Complementary and alternative medicine treatments. UpToDate. Retrieved
fromhttps://www.uptodate.com/contents/complementary-and-alternative-medicine-treatments-cam-
for-cancer-beyond-the-basics
Hamed, A. M.,Kauer, A. J., & Stevens, H. E. (2015). Why the diagnosis of attention deficit
hyperactivity disordermatters.Frontiers inPsychiatry,6, 168.doi:10.3389/fpsyt.2015.00168
Kinman, T. (2012). Gender differences in ADHD symptoms. Healthline. Retrieved
fromhttps://www.healthline.com/health/adhd/adhd-symptoms-in-girls-and-boys
Yearwood, E.L., Pearson, G.S., & Newland, J.A. (2012).Child and adolescent behavioral health.
Sussex, UK: Whiley-Blackwell.
40
Reply 2 Julia MCVay
It is true that the scores of age, sex and weight serve a continuous measure for ADHD
treatment. In the same way, family stability and support is another essential factor that can affect
the treatment of ADHD. I concur, that symptoms of ADHD tend to avail differently in girls and
boys. Sure, boys with ADHD suffer from symptoms such as running and impulsivity
characterized to be external. Another thing, it is true that girls with ADHD present internalized
symptoms such as low self-esteem and inattentiveness. Some of the symptom symbolized by
boys is that they are often physically aggressive whereas girls are always more verbally
aggressive.
Complementary and Alternative Medicine is a treatment that is often used along with
standard treatments. It usually include practices such as tai chi, acupuncture, drinking green tea,
and massage. Equally, the possibility of CAM therapy feature cognitive training, dietary therapy,
homeopathy, and herbal therapy. Complementary therapies typically take holistic approach in
children and adolescents. This means that, more research is essentially needed before
recommending CAM therapies.
ADHD can have severe complications to adulthood if not recognized and treated early. Sure,
it can cause an exceptional amount of academic, financial, and psychological burden to an
individual. Untreated ADHD increase the risk of developing disorders such as depression,
41
anxiety, and personality disorders. Likewise, it also impairs occupational and social functioning
of an individual.
References
Weiss, G., & Hechtman, L. T. (1993). Hyperactive children grown up: ADHD in children,
adolescents, and adults. Guilford Press.
DuPaul, G. J., Power, T. J., Anastopoulos, A. D., & Reid, R. (1998). ADHD Rating Scale
IV:
Checklists, norms, and clinical interpretation. Guilford Press.
Castle, L., Aubert, R. E., Verbrugge, R. R., Khalid, M., & Epstein, R.S.(2007). Trends in
medication treatment for ADHD. Journal of attention disorders, 10(4), 335-342.
