Please write response to below discussion. Thanks
In the clinical practicum setting of internal medicine, the population commonly served includes children and adults of all ages, with a focus primarily on those aged 18 and older. According to the US Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) and HealthyPeople 2030, two key preventative care screenings recommended for this adult population include hypertension screening and lipid disorder screening, given the prevalence of cardiovascular disease and its risk factors in this demographic.
The guidelines for determining which screenings to offer are based on evidence-based recommendations from bodies such as the USPSTF, which provides age-specific and risk-specific guidelines. For example, hypertension screening is recommended at least once every two years for adults aged 18 and older, while lipid disorder screening is recommended starting at age 20, particularly for those at increased risk for coronary heart disease.
Observations from the clinical practicum site reveal that the quality of preventative care is generally high, with systematic approaches to ensure routine screenings are conducted. However, there are occasional disparities in care, particularly affecting populations with socioeconomic challenges, limited health literacy, or cultural barriers. These disparities can manifest in reduced access to screenings or delayed care.
To address these challenges, providers present screening recommendations in a manner tailored to individual patient needs, considering health literacy and cultural factors. This approach aligns with the National Standards for Culturally and Linguistically Appropriate Services (CLAS) in Health and Health Care, ensuring communication is effective, and information about screenings is accessible and understandable to diverse patient populations.
Despite these efforts, vulnerable populations still face barriers to accessing preventive screenings. To increase the frequency of preventative screenings within these groups, I recommend implementing community-based outreach programs and mobile screening units to provide accessible care in underserved areas. Furthermore, enhancing patient education programs to focus on the importance of preventive care and creating partnerships with local organizations can help bridge the gap in access to health services.
Integrating evidence from scholarly sources, such as the findings of Bello et al. (2019) on the effectiveness of community-based approaches in increasing preventive screening rates, supports these recommendations. These approaches highlight the necessity of targeted interventions to improve access to preventive health services for vulnerable populations.
In conclusion, while preventive care in the internal medicine setting adheres to established guidelines and aims to be inclusive, there is a need for ongoing efforts to eliminate disparities and improve access to preventive screenings, particularly for vulnerable populations.
Reference:
Bello, J. K., Adkins, K., Stulberg, D. B., & Rao, G. (2019). Barriers to preventive care in a non-elderly urban population. American Journal of Preventive Medicine, 56(2), e41-e50.
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Disease Prevention and Health Promotion. (n.d.). Healthy People 2030: Objectives and Data – Populations. Retrieved from https://health.gov/healthypeople/objectives-and-data/browse-objectives#populationsLinks to an external site.
U.S. Preventive Services Task Force. (n.d.). Home. Retrieved from https://www.uspreventiveservicestaskforce.org/uspstf/Links to an external site.
