Social Justice, Equality and Vulnerability in Health and Social Care Assignment Sample

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Introduction

The contextual information from case revealing that, John Smith; a 68-year-old male suffering from complex health and social challenges. Presented case study serving as a lens through which psychosocial, economic and physical environment can be explored along with identifying the ways in which these environment shapes vulnerability of an individual. From the medical history of John, it is evident that he has Type 2 diabetes [T2D], mild cognitive impairment, hypertension and he recently suffered from hip replacement surgery; these complications aggravating John’s vulnerability in diverse ways. He is facing psychosocial complexities involving limited support and there is potential risk of isolation and depression. The present essay will focus on exploring psychosocial, economic and physical environment along with its impact on John. Furthermore, a care plan will be prepared and role of social worker would be highlighted.

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Social Justice, Equality and Vulnerability in Health and Social Care Assignment Sample

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Main Body

Psychosocial environment

There is limited social support to John and this is leading to loneliness and further contributing in depressive symptoms for John; this is complicating recovery procedure. From the literature it has been evident that isolation leads to create negative influence on an individual’s health and further develops severe issues on physical health (Aveyard and Sharp, 2017). Mental and physical health are linked with each other and therefore, adverse impact on mental wellbeing influencing physical wellbeing of John. In current case emotional burden of isolation manifesting low morals and reducing John’s motivation for rehabilitation and self-care for disease management. Thus, as a result self-esteem in patient is reducing to higher extent and this is acting as a systematic barrier in his recovery procedure (Bjørlykhaug et al, 2022). In John’s case, cognitive impairment influencing his ability to navigate medical concerns and challenges associated with T2D and hypertension management. Hence, decline in cognitive abilities leading to create issues in understanding medical advice, identifying symptoms and following care treatment procedure. In current case, interrelation between cognitive function and emotional wellbeing underpinning the significance of resolving psychosocial dimension in care procedure.

Economic Environment

Economic status of John depicting about potential causes of his vulnerability; he has fixed pension income and thereby, he is not able to access quality healthcare services, medication, mobility resources and nutritious food. All of these domains are essential in undertaking type 2 diabetes management and hypertension. Whilst, economic condition of patient acting as a disruption in accessing quality services (Edwards and Best, 2020). Economic inequalities develop persistent health disparities and adversely impacts health outcomes of individuals by impacting their ability to receive care. Hence, inability of John in accessing transportation hindering his ability for accessing rehabilitation services and community resources.

Physical Environment

In context of physical environment, it is evident that recent hip replacement surgery developed mobility challenges for John. Thus, this is contributing in additional stress for him and making his situation vulnerable. Rehabilitation proves to be an essential component for recovery procedure as this aligns with physical therapy, aims to enhance mobility independence for John (Thompson, 2020). Nevertheless, there is no rehabilitation support observed near John’s house and further there is lack of support from community. Lack of assistive device at home restricting patient mobility and further increasing risk of falls. Thereby, safe and accessible environment is important for engaging John in rehabilitation procedure.

Multidisciplinary Plan of care

Based on the complexities of John, it is important to design a multidisciplinary plan of care that addresses his diverse needs. This plan supports in implementation of Multidisciplinary Team [MDT] that comprised with healthcare professionals, nurses, social workers, physicians, occupational therapist and dietitian accordingly, effective comprehensive approach will be followed for providing holistic support to John.

Goals and Outcomes

The primary goals are-

Encouraging physical rehabilitation and mobility for John
Management of T2D and hypertension
Providing emotional and social support for dealing with isolation
Improving safety at home and cognitive functioning
The enhanced health outcomes will be measured through improving physical mobility, improved management of T2D and hypertension, increase in social engagement and reduction in depressive symptoms.

Service user involvement

It is important to increase involvement of John in care plan; this will lead to ensure autonomy and further makes him aware about his condition. In this manner, John can be empowered and this often foster his morals and promotes adherence to treatment protocols (Ajibade, 2021). By undertaking regular check-ins, and discussion regarding John’s preferences related to dietary needs and social activities, plan will be aligned with personal needs and values of John. Hence, service user engagement in care procedure is essential as this supports in gaining effective outcomes and thereby, in current case prior focus implied in this area.

Rehabilitation and Mobility Support

In John’s case rehabilitation requires to be implemented immediately for facilitating support. By providing referrals of physiotherapist, John could be supported in maintaining independence and regaining mobility. Furthermore, adaptive mobility resources such as grab bars and walkers must be provided for developing a safe home environment (Atteberry-Ash, 2023). Moreover, occupational therapy supports in modifying John’s living space and often prepared him regarding daily tasks management. This leads to improve safety and independence for John. This is foremost requirement in John’s case as recent hip replacement surgery developed physical issues for him.

Disease Management

Tailored disease management plan for manging T2D and hypertension is important. By undertaking regular monitoring of blood sugar level and implementing dietary intervention, T2D and hypertension can be managed in John’s case. Furthermore, awareness regarding dietary modification for John is pivotal as this helps in effective management (Jolly et al, 2021).

Social support

In order to combat isolation and depressive symptoms, social support is important for John. By connecting him with community support services and support groups his social interaction can be improved. Hence, there is need to involve social worker who can look upon the requirement of John and further ensures consistent support to him. Thus, social worker is at the central of this care plan as consistent interaction with John will be undertaken by social worker. Social workers playing essential role in promoting social justice particularly, for vulnerable individuals as presented in case John. They advocate service user about their rights and further allocates mandatory resources for them (Biswas and Nautiyal, 2023). Prior motive of social worker is removing systematic inequalities existing in society, they empower individuals while respecting their autonomy and enhances their engagement. In John’s case social worker can imply principle of equity and diversity for ensuring that requirements of John are met despite of lower economic status and lack of social engagement. Social justice theory works on the principle of equitable society in which everyone concerned with equal rights and has equal access towards resources and opportunities (Lak et al, 2020). Similarly, social worker focuses on this aspect and they bridge gap in society by supporting vulnerable individual like John and helps them in accessing services.

Follow-up and Evaluation

Structured follow up schedule is important for assessing the progress in John’s health. The effectiveness of plan will be evaluated regularly and further periodic assessment will be undertaken for reassessing the requirement of John. Consequently, modification in the intervention will be done.

The above-mentioned care plan significantly focusing on John’s requirements and accordingly steps are considered. Hence, involvement of social workers facilitates better support for John and support him accessing quality healthcare and community services. Thus, this results in reducing stigma that comprehends with aging and promotes an inclusive approach while acknowledging diversity. Social worker rooted in the principle of social justice and thereby, in John’s case emphasis imply on equality and inclusion (Calhoun et al, 2022). This ensures that fairness in services is promoted and significant support to John is ensured. Further social worker in accountable for driving social change and contributes in developing equitable society (Calhoun et al, 2022). Including social workers in John’s case leading to develops effectual outcomes as consistent interaction with social worker develops sense of belongingness in John and further boost his morals and contributes in his recovery procedure. Social worker advocates service user about their rights and the services they can access from communities and this manner they are promoting social justice within society. They are performing important role in maintaining equality and diversity.

Conclusion

Conclusively; this can be said that John’s vulnerability is significantly shaped through the connections exists among physical, economic and psychosocial environment. It is important to understand the contextual factors aligning with environment and impacting John’s conditions. Furthermore, multidisciplinary care plan has been prepared by considering John’s condition and requirement, holistic approach has been followed for ensuing support to John. Thus, by adopting holistic approach John’s quality of life can also be improved. Prior focus implied on engaging John in his care procedure. Moreover, role of social worker in dismantling barriers and influencing vulnerable individuals was highlighted. Hence, it can be said that social workers playing essential role in supporting vulnerable individuals and promoting social justice. Social worker focuses on empowering John and advocate him about available community resources and support; further his autonomy is prioritised.

References

Books and Journals

• Ajibade, B. 2021. Assessing the patient’s needs and planning effective care. Available at: https://www.britishjournalofnursing.com/content/clinical/assessing-the-patients-needs-and-planning-effective-care/ Accessed: 24/10/24
• Atteberry-Ash, B. 2023. Social work and social justice: a conceptual review. Social Work, 68(1), 38-46. https://doi.org/10.1093/sw/swac042
• Aveyard H., Sharp, P. 2017. A Beginner’s Guide to Evidence Based Practice in Health and Social Care, 3rd Edition (UK Higher Education OUP Humanities & Social Sciences Health & Social Welfare) UK. Open University Press. 
• Biswas, S. and Nautiyal, S. 2023. A review of socio-economic vulnerability: the emergence of its theoretical concepts, models and methodologies. Natural Hazards Research, 3(3), 563-571. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.nhres.2023.05.005
• Bjørlykhaug, K.I., Karlsson, B., Hesook, S.K. and Kleppe, L.C., 2022. Social support and recovery from mental health problems: A scoping review. Nordic social work research, 12(5), pp.666-697.
• Calhoun, C.D., Stone, K.J., Cobb, A.R., Patterson, M.W., Danielson, C.K. and Bendezú, J.J., 2022. The role of social support in coping with psychological trauma: An integrated biopsychosocial model for posttraumatic stress recovery. Psychiatric Quarterly, 93(4), pp.949-970.
• Edwards, D., Best, S. 2020. The textbook of Health and Social Care. London: Sage.
• Jolly, P.M., Kong, D.T. and Kim, K.Y., 2021. Social support at work: An integrative review. Journal of organizational behavior, 42(2), pp.229-251.
• Lak, A. Rashidghalam, P. Myint, P.K. Baradaran, H.R. 2020. Comprehensive 5P framework for active aging using the ecological approach: an iterative systematic review. BMC Public Health. 20(1) 33. Available at: Comprehensive 5P framework for active aging using the ecological approach: an iterative systematic review - PMC (nih.gov) (Accessed on 30.06.23)
• Thompson, N 2020. Anti-discriminatory practice, 7th Edition, Basingstoke: Bloomsbury.