As we head into week 8 of this course and I complete some reflection I find that not only have I learned new information, but I have also learned to connect things I previously knew in what I have learned thus far. When I was choosing a health issue to focus on for my assignments, I wanted to choose something that not only I was interested in, but something that needs health promotion to improve the care and health of individuals. I chose cardiac disease education because I have numerous friends and family members who have been impacted by the negative outcomes related to heart disease, but also because Newfoundland and Labrador have some of the highest rates of cardiac disease (and numerous other chronic disease) in the country. As noted by Bailey, P., & Callaghan, J. (2015), Newfoundland's population has a higher risk of mortality due to cardiac events than the rest of Canada, as well as a very high number of modifiable risk factors including diabetes and high blood pressure.
I have learned that access to education and resources is a huge component of health promotion that is still an issue. This is very concerning given the expansion of virtual care that happened during the pandemic but, unfortunately, not surprising given the shortage of primary health care providers that is happening in Canada. (Tasker, J., 2024, February 27). In ICU we often see people’s acute illness exacerbated by their chronic disease and a lot of education happens after the fact.
I would like to learn more about support for patients and families as they navigate the healthcare system, particularly around education in relation to health promotion. WHO (2012) stated that the intent of health education is to positively influence the health behavior of individuals and communities as well as the factors that influence their health overall.
Bailey, P., & Callaghan, J. (2015). Heart disease. The Canadian Encyclopedia. https://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.ca/en/article/heart-disease#:~:text=The%20provinces%20and%20territories%20have%20different%20rates%20of,high%20blood%20pressure%2C%20than%20the%20overall%20Canadian%20population.
Tasker, J. (2024, February 27). Massive new survey finds widespread frustration with access to primary health care. CBC. Retrieved June 17, 2024, from https://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/primary-care-canada-10-000-canadians-report-1.7125990.
World Health Organization: Regional Office for the Eastern Mediterranean. (2012). Retrieved 2024, from https://iris.who.int/bitstream/handle/10665/119953/EMRPUB_2012_EN_1362.pdf.
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