How the setting in which you see the patient may impact your recommendations for medications
Address the following questions: Consider how the setting in which you see the patient may impact your recommendations for medications, treatments, or follow-up care. How would your recommendations have changed for this patient if she was underinsured? What about if the encounter had occurred at a mobile clinic for unhoused clients? Include the following components:
I. answer all questions in the reflection prompt
II. demonstrate clinical judgment appropriate to the patient scenario
III. cite at least one relevant scholarly source as defined by program expectations. Must be APA within 5 years
IV. communicate with minimal errors in English grammar, spelling, syntax, and punctuation
The patient you are referring to is a 65-year-old female that presented with lower back pain for two weeks to the emergency room. An MRI of the lumbar spine and Xray. The conclusion is that she has sciatica. So the treatment would include an NSAIDs or Tylenol. Refer to physical therapy, pain management doctor, and or consider an epidural steroid injection.
You are to read the scenario above and answer the questions asked appropriately. You are to answer this question as if you are a medical professional treating this patient.
Sample Solution
Impact of Setting on Recommendations
The setting in which a patient is seen can significantly impact recommendations for medications, treatments, and follow-up care. In the case of a 65-year-old female with lower back pain presenting to the emergency room, the following factors may influence treatment decisions:
- Resource Availability: If the emergency room has limited resources or a long wait time, the initial treatment may focus on pain management and referral to a specialist for further evaluation.
- Social Determinants of Health: The patient's socioeconomic status, access to healthcare, and living situation can affect treatment adherence and outcomes. For example, if the patient is unhoused, access to medications and follow-up care may be challenging.
- Generic Medications: Prescribe generic alternatives to brand-name medications to reduce costs.
- Cost-Effective Treatments: Consider less expensive treatment options, such as physical therapy or over-the-counter pain relievers, if appropriate.
- Patient Assistance Programs: Explore patient assistance programs offered by pharmaceutical companies to help reduce medication costs.
- Community Resources: Refer the patient to community resources that can provide financial assistance or support services.
- Limited Resources: The mobile clinic may have limited access to diagnostic imaging and specialized care. Therefore, the initial assessment and treatment may be more focused on pain management and symptom relief.
- Social Determinants of Health: Address the patient's social needs, such as housing, food, and transportation, as these factors can significantly impact their health outcomes.
- Follow-Up: Develop a plan for follow-up care, considering the patient's mobility and access to healthcare resources.