Gibbs Reflective Cycle Assessment Answers

Gibbs Reflective Cycle

Description

Heart Research Institute (2015) revealed that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Island people are twice as likely to suffer from cardiovascular disease in comparison to non-indigenous Australian population. In addition, deaths due to heart disease are ten times more likely in indigenous population than non-indigenous population. It is also reported that such deaths occur at a younger age in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people than the non-indigenous population.

Feelings

When I read the statistics about cardiovascular disease incidence in indigenous population, I felt shocked. I had an immediate sense of concern regarding their suffering. Afterwards, curiosity took over and I started pondering about the reasons behind the higher incidence of heart diseases in this population. I believed that indicators like high cholesterol, smoking, and chronic conditions like diabetes and high blood pressure would be a cause of this high incidence. Indigenous people have remained isolated and aloof from rest of the world, and thus, have not developed equally. I thought this could be a social determinant of heart conditions in these people.

Evaluation

It was good that I had concern about health condition of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders people. Being a nurse, I should be compassionate towards people and their health. However, my lack of information about health and its determinants of this vulnerable population is a cause of concern. As a nurse, I can provide best patient care only when I am aware of the underlying factors of health issues. This made be aware of the gap in my learning. Another good aspect of my experience was that though I lacked knowledge, but I thought of learning about health challenges of indigenous people. This exemplifies willingness for personal growth and development.

Analysis

In 2015, Heart Research Institute has reported that smoking rate in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Island people is twice as much as non-indigenous Australian population. In Aboriginal community, smoking is a social norm. There is exposure to smoking at an early age. People have a culture of sharing tobacco products. Stress of social inadequacy, like poverty, unemployment, discontinuation of education, cause young population to take up smoking (NSW Government, 2018). According to findings of Australian Bureau of Statistics (2015), Aboriginal and Torres Strait Island people have three times more likelihood of diabetes and almost two times more likelihood of high triglycerides in comparison to non-indigenous Australian population.

Walsh and Kangaharan (2017) opined that indigenous people are reluctant to talk about their symptoms and have lack awareness about health conditions. The care provider needs to create a bonding with them and use indirect questions for correct diagnosis. Inclusion of local cardiac nurses in healthcare team is of benefit in educating indigenous people about health awareness. Continued patient care is possible if the same healthcare team visit the island for prolonged time. Walsh and Kangaharan (2017) also stated that early diagnosis of heart disease is hindered by distance from medical facility, and responsibilities of family and Aboriginal culture.

The cardiovascular disease incidence is affected by social and political conditions of indigenous people as well. Indigenous population has borne the punt of colonisation, dispossession, and racism. Since colonisation, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Island population has suffered from disparity of power and resources compared to non-indigenous people at hands of National, State, and Territory governments. Political disparity has given rise to social factors of cardiovascular disease risk in this vulnerable population. Societal deficiencies of housing, education, healthcare system, unemployment, poverty and family support contribute to heart disease risk (Smith, 2016).

In conclusion, I was correct that smoking, chronic diseases, and high cholesterol played a role in heart disease incidence in indigenous population like it would in any other population. I have this knowledge from my degree course. I used my general knowledge of geographical factors and Aboriginal cultures to predict them as factors in heart disease incidence. These premises have been justified by different scholars as described above. Nonetheless, I remained unaware that political and societal challenges faced by indigenous population impacted their health.

Action plan

Reflection apprised me about my ignorance of health conditions of indigenous Australian population. I have learnt that there is an inequality in provision of healthcare to indigenous and non-indigenous population. This is due cultural, social, political, and medical factors (Smith, 2016). With an intention to improve healthcare system for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Island people, I would like to be enrolled in an outreach program in their locations. Moreover, I will interact with my Professors to gain more knowledge about health systems of indigenous population.

References

Australian Bureau of Statistics. (2015). Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health survey biomedical results, 2012-13. Retrieved from http//www.abs.gov.au/ausstats/abs@.nsf/productsbytopic/AACCF293F30EA612CA257D4E001705CDOpenDocumentHeart Research Institute. (2015). Heart disease in indigenous communities. Retrieved from https//www.hri.org.au/about-heart-disease/aboriginal-and-torres-strait-islander-people.

NSW Government. (2018). Aboriginal communities and smoking. Retrieved from https//www.health.nsw.gov.au/tobacco/Pages/aboriginal-communities-smoking.aspx.

Smith, J. D. (2016).Australias rural, remote and Indigenous health. Queensland Elsevier Health Sciences.

Walsh, W. F., amp Kangaharan, N. (2017). Cardiac care for indigenous Australians practical considerations from a clinical perspective.Medical Journal of Australia,207(1), 40-45.

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