Nursing Bias and the Obese Patient, Coursework Example

Introduction

The prevalence of obesity in the modern era is representative of challenging behaviors that impact many cultures and population groups. The reality of these circumstances is that many children and adults face significant health risks that are difficult to overcome and that require significant support and guidance in order to prevent long-term complications that will impact and perhaps shorten the life span. Therefore, it is important to develop an understanding of why obesity poses so many risks to these populations and how they influence health outcomes for many people. It is important for nurses to identify the risks associated with obesity and how it directly impacts their patients, particularly when patient care and treatment methods are influenced by these characteristics. Most importantly, it is necessary to evaluate the context of patient needs when specifically addressing obesity in order to determine the best possible methods of addressing the problem in an effective manner. Since obesity is a significant health disparity, it important to identify the different factors of this health disparity and how it influences length of stay, the level of treatment that is required, and other factors. The following discussion will address obesity in greater detail and will consider how it influences nurse decision-making and other issues in the workplace environment, including but not limited to pharmacological agents to treat obesity, education, and cultural factors that influence this condition and the barriers to preventing obesity that often exist.

Body

Obesity is a problem of epidemic proportions throughout the world; however, nurses are primarily concerned with its impact on patient care. Nurses face critical challenges in this area because they must be able to examine the different areas of care and treatment that impact the lives and wellbeing of patients; therefore, they require expert knowledge and resources in order to determine the best possible strategies that influence the life span and demonstrate the importance of shaping outcomes for patients through effective treatment strategies for consideration (Phillips, Wood, & Kinnersley, 2013). It is important to recognize the level of knowledge and experience that nurses must have in order to treat these patients effectively and to be proactive in identifying strategies that will have a positive impact on obese patients (Phillips et.al, 2013). It is also necessary for nurses to be recognized for their efforts to work with obese patients and are likely to have an impact on the treatment that is received, while also recognizing the surrounding environment and how it impacts the different decisions that are made (Phillips et.al, 2013). Some patients’ experience with obesity is very difficult and requires further consideration so that patients receive the best possible treatment under the conditions that exist (Phillips et.al, 2013).

Nurses must be able to identify areas where obesity may pose a serious threat to a given patient population and to be proactive in meeting the needs of this population in an effective manner through enhanced communication regarding the obese state, particularly if patients possess cultural challenges or low literacy skills (Faruqi et.al, 2015). In this context, nurses must be able to identify possible treatment methods of the pharmacological variety and provide education to patients in a consistent manner to achieve the desired results (Faruqi et.al, 2015). Communication with these patients must be effective and timely in order to meet expectations and to identify areas of need and greater focus (Faruqi et.al, 2015). In this context, nurses must be able to work collaboratively with patients in an effort to recommend possible goals and objectives that should be met with respect to potential weight loss and improved health (van Dillen et.al, 2015). This practice also requires nurses to be proactive in meeting patient care needs and in evaluating the conditions under which patients might be able to address obesity and achieve their goals effectively (van Dillen et.al, 2015).

Cultural needs and expectations must also be considered as part of a larger framework to achieve success in treating patients with obesity. In this contest, these variables must be well understood and accounted for when working with an obese population of patients so that there are sufficient opportunities for growth and development in treating these patients (Lee & Calamaro, 2012). Therefore, patient education must be comprehensive and appropriate in order to meet patient needs and to better understand the context of patient care and treatment (Lee & Calamaro, 2012). This process is instrumental in shaping the overall direction of the treatment strategy and in evaluating the conditions under which patients are able to manage their obese condition more effectively (Lee & Calamaro, 2012). Most importantly, nurses must be able to educate patients regarding these challenges and aim to be proactive in meeting patient needs in an effective and consistent manner (Lee & Calamaro, 2012). Education for all patients is an essential component of this process and requires nurses to be proactive as they aim to educate patients regarding the needs of this population (Lee & Calamaro, 2012).

Conclusion

Patient care outcomes for obese patients depends on a number of critical factors, such as treatment options, communication skills, education, and cultural expectations. These tools represent a means of acknowledging the obesity epidemic and how it impacts patients across all age groups. These factors require nurses to educate patients and to promote greater awareness of the risks of obesity and its impact on health and wellbeing. This process will enable nurses to  recognize their support of obese patients and the steps that are required to improve patient care in this area.

References

Faruqi, N., Stocks, N., Spooner, C., el Haddad, N., & Harris, M. F. (2015). Research protocol: management of obesity in patients with low health literacy in primary health care. BMC Obesity, 2(1), 5.

Lee, S. H., & Calamaro, C. (2012). Nursing bias and the obese patient: The role of the clinical nurse leader in improving care of the obese patient. Bariatric nursing and surgical patient care, 7(3), 127-131.

Phillips, K., Wood, F., & Kinnersley, P. (2013). Tackling obesity: the challenge of obesity management for practice nurses in primary care. Family practice, cmt054.

van Dillen, S. M., Noordman, J., van Dulmen, S., & Hiddink, G. J. (2015). Setting goal and implementation intentions in consultations between practice nurses and patients with overweight or obesity in general practice. Public health nutrition, 1-9.