Shared Decision Making, Coursework Example

In response to the “Shared Decision Making” article, recovery as a cultural process is a critical component of mental health treatment that is not always taken seriously by field experts; therefore, it is essential to examine culture and it significant impact on the recovery from and management of mental illness (Warren).  This statement conveys the importance of recognizing culture as essential to treatment and recovery, as all patients possess unique characteristics and require specific attention, based upon cultural needs (Warren). Training and education for mental health workers must be aligned with these objectives and recognize that mental health has a number of important social implications for its patients (Pescosolido, Boyer, & Medina, 2013). Self-identity with a specific culture must be taken seriously and may influence the level of stress that patients experience that contributes to chronic illness and exacerbation of mental health symptoms (Thoits, 2013).

The 2013 National Healthcare Disparities Report addresses some of the key disparities that exist across a wide range of conditions, including mental health and chronic illness, thereby demonstrating the importance of new strategies that will promote greater awareness of underserved populations, including women with mental health issues who also have one or more chronic illnesses (AHRQ, 2013). Healthcare professionals must be apprised of specific community-based services that are available to address cultural needs and their impact on mental health objectives (Zeidler, 2011). Healthcare providers must recognize their own priorities in treating patients and if they possess any level of bias towards specific patients or cultures, this bias must be minimized or eliminated as best as possible (Halvorsen, Forde, & Nortvedt, 2008).

Finally, healthcare professionals must be educationally and culturally diverse in order to provide cross-cultural care and treatment to patients in this capacity, and this includes an acceptance of healthcare workers from different cultures and who possess proficiency in other languages (Spetz, Gates, & Jones, 2014). This will enable professionals to be effective communicators and care providers to all patients, regardless of their cultural identity, including those facing mental health challenges (Spetz et.al, 2014).

References

Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (2013). National healthcare disparities report. Retrieved from http://www.ahrq.gov/research/findings/nhqrdr/nhdr13/2013nhdr.pdf

Halvorsen, K., Forde, R., & Nortvedt, P. (2008). Professional challenges of bedside rationing In intensive care. Nursing Ethics, 15(6), 715-728.

Pescosolido, B. A., Boyer, C. A., & Medina, T. R. (2013). The social dynamics of responding to mental health problems. In Handbook of the sociology of mental health (pp. 505-524). Springer Netherlands.

Spetz, J., Gates, M., & Jones, S.B. (2014). Internationally educated nurses in the United States: Their origins and roles. Nursing Outlook, 62, 8-15.

Thoits, P. A. (2013). Self, identity, stress, and mental health. In Handbook of the sociology of mental health (pp. 357-377). Springer Netherlands.

Warren, B.J. Shared decision making: a recovery cultural process. SLACK Incorporated. doi:10.3928/02793695-20121107-05

Zeidler, D. (2011). Building a relationship: perspectives from one first nations community. Canadian Journal of Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology, 35(2), 136-143.