Please Reply To The Following 2 Discussion Posts:

Please Reply to the following 2 Discussion posts:

 

Requirement

 

APA format with intext citation

Word count minimum of 150 words per post, not including references

 

References at least one high-level scholarly reference per post within the last 5 years in APA format.

Plagiarism free.

Turnitin receipt.

 

DISCUSSION POST # 1 Reply to Ella

 

Discuss how providers can promote equitable care and employ strategies to avoid bias when caring for patients with chronic illnesses.

 

Equitable care is the concept of providing fair and just healthcare services to all individuals, regardless of their background, social status, ethnicity, gender, age, or any other characteristic that might lead to disparities in health outcomes.

As stated by Vela and colleagues (2022), while overt displays of bias have decreased in the United States over the years, latent biases persist. Numerous marginalized groups, such as racial and ethnic minority communities, individuals with disabilities, and gender and sexual minorities, continue to face negative implicit biases from healthcare providers.

For instant patients with chronic illnesses, such as those with HIV/AIDS who often face discrimination from their healthcare providers, it is crucial for providers to uphold certain principles, for example: Providers should offer a dignified and respectful approach to all patients, ensuring their sense of worth and value is upheld throughout the healthcare experience. Treating patients with empathy and compassion is essential.

In the pursuit of achieving health equity, it is essential for healthcare providers to possess a deep awareness of their conscious and unconscious biases. By understanding these biases, they can work towards ensuring fairness and inclusivity in healthcare services. This self-awareness is crucial because it enables providers to promote equitable care for all patients, especially those with chronic illnesses.

Unconscious biases are unnoticeable and instinctive inclinations or prejudgments that can impact our choices and actions without conscious awareness. As per Kateman’s (2023) definition, unconscious bias refers to favoring or disfavoring something, someone, or a particular group over another, typically in a manner deemed unfair.

These biases can inadvertently influence how healthcare providers diagnose, treat, and interact with patients. If left unexamined, these biases may perpetuate health disparities and hinder progress towards achieving health equity.

By acknowledging and addressing their biases, providers can take proactive steps to counteract any potential discriminatory actions or treatment disparities. They can strive to treat every patient with the same level of respect, compassion, and attention to ensure equitable care for everyone, regardless of their background, ethnicity, or health condition.

Providers should be capable of engaging in candid conversations with their patients about their prognosis and treatment options. Additionally, it is crucial for providers to educate patients, ensuring they are well-informed about potential treatment outcomes and any possible adverse effects. Furthermore, involving both the patient and their family in all medical decision-making processes is essential.

 

DISCUSSION POST # 2Reply to Alia

Equitable care refers to the promotion of healthcare services that are fair, just, and unbiased, ensuring that all individuals have equal access to high-quality care regardless of their personal characteristics, socioeconomic status, or other factors that may contribute to health disparities (CDC, 2022). Data reveals that the healthcare system in the United States is characterized by significant segregation and inequity. The underlying causes are multifaceted, including a pervasive culture of white supremacy in academia and research, implicit biases held by clinicians and employers, structural and color-blind racism in healthcare policies and practices, and a payment system that paradoxically provides lower reimbursements for patients with greater complexity and vulnerabilities (Manchanda et al., 2023). Practitioners can address social determinants of health, such as poverty, discrimination, education level, and access to healthcare services to provide tailored approaches that prioritize health equity. Flaubert et al. (2021) recommends the following:

• Cultivate a Culture of Competence
• Recognize Implicit Bias
• Promote Effective Communication
• Employ Shared Decision-Making
• Address Health Literacy
• Create a Safe and Inclusive Environment
• Advocate for Health Equity
• Stay Informed and Reflect

By implementing these strategies, healthcare providers can promote equitable care, reduce bias, and improve the overall well-being of patients with chronic illnesses. It may require additional resources and interventions for individuals or communities that have historically faced disadvantages or discrimination (Flabert et al., 2021). By leveling the playing field, practitioners have an opportunity to ensure that all patients are able to achieve their highest level of health. Providing equitable care means that management and treatment of chronic disease is not disproportionately influenced by factors such as race, ethnicity, socioeconomic status, etc. And by embracing new approaches, we have the power to make a positive impact and improve health outcomes.