Question

Public health class:

Do you agree with the IOM's report (2002) that recommends adopting a population health approach that considers the multiple determinants of health within an ecological framework? Why/why not. (200 words)

Answer 1

IOM (2002)

I agree with the IOM and its recommendation as I observed the following

Institute of Medicine reported that minorities receive unequal medical treatment when compared to white counterparts even though they have a medical insurance and coverage similar to the white’s counterparts.

IOM called the report Unequal treatment, example a black women with breast cancer is less likely than white women to receive progesterone-receptor assays, less likely to receive radiation therapy in combination with radical/modified mastectomy, and less likely to receive rehabilitation support services following mastectomy.

This type of ill treatment or unequal treatment is because of bias, stereotyping, prejudice, and may contribute to racial and ethnic disparities in health care. It is there and it exists saliently among the health care workers.

The IOM (2002) was a wakeup call for health care professionals. This committee of IOM   recommends adopting a population health approach that considers the multiple determinants of health within an ecological framework, to reduce this disparity is an approach of privilege to the minorities.

It is a fact that the patient’s culture comes right to his bed side, it is important to identify the needs based on the minorities’ cultural needs. The instances of minority group people refusing the treatment was because of

a. Lack of knowledge

b. Treatment choices given to them compared to white counter parts

c. Racism in medicine

d. Health parity

e. Communication barrier

f. Lack of resources

g. Institutional priorities

h. Interpretation / translation services

i. Medical decisions under time pressure and limited information

j. Patients mistrust towards doctors and refusal for treatments

Steps to be taken to solve this

a. Legal, regulatory and policy intervention

b. Defragmentation of health and finance

c. Strengthening doctor patient relationship

d. Strengthening care providers / nurses - patient relationship

e. Representing the under represented

f. Enrol and utilise the health and medi-care facilities

g. Financial incentives to health sector

h. Community health worker strengthening

i. Patient education and empowerment

j. Cross cultural acceptance and adoption

k. Increase health care providers awareness towards disparities and educate about how to prevent them