Comprehensive Health Assessment for Patients and Populations – C350

Comprehensive Health Assessment for Patients and Populations
C-350
Sherri Bailey
Western Governor's University
August 30, 2020
Comprehensive Health Assessment for Patients and Populations C-350
A. Reflect on the comprehensive health assessment you preformed on the virtual patient Carolyn Cross in iHuman Patients by doing the following:
1. Discuss four evidence-based interview techniques you used to assess Carolyn's social determinants. Include a scholarly source in your discussion.
"Interviewing is both a skill and an art." (Bickley, 2016, p. 65). During my iHuman comprehensive health assessment of Carolyn, I utilized four evidence-based interview techniques. First and foremost, I introduced myself, my role, asked her how she would like to be addressed, explained what to expect and the time frame in which to expect completion of the interview, and finally advised her our interview would be confidential. Once we were settled in a private area, she was comfortable, and I made sure there would be no interruptions, I proceeded to the next interview technique, active listening. I was being present, at the moment, actively listening to her responses. I noted her body language, as well as her verbal responses to my questioning, and encouraged her to expand on her symptoms and circumstances related to any symptoms she may have.
Third, I acknowledged and validated her concerns by letting her know she was heard and helped her realize what she was feeling was normal. I provided empathetic responses and reassured her I would address her problems and concerns.
Lastly, I made sure to summarize her responses to indicate I understood and allowed her to correct anything I may have missed. Followed by, a summarization of our conversation, thus hoping to impress upon her my commitment to our professional relationship.
"High-quality patient-clinician communication has also been shown to improve patient outcomes, decrease symptoms, and improve functional status, reduce litigation, and decrease errors" (Bickley, 2016, p. 65).
* Justify the questions you used to assess each of the five social determinants of Carolyn, and include her responses.
Economic Stability
To identify Carolyn's economic stability I would ask: Are you employed? What type of work do you do? Are you married? Is your husband employed? These questions are to determine if Carolyn can afford healthcare and if she has income to afford her copay, deductibles, prescriptions, and other healthcare-related items.
Carolyn answered she is married and has two sons. She is employed full-time as a learning specialist at a local middle school, and her husband is employed full time as an accountant at a local firm. Both have healthcare and retirement benefits. Their combined incomes afford Carolyn and her family a socioeconomic status above the poverty level, with disposable income after their monthly expenses are met. Carolyn lives in a single-family home in a middle-class neighborhood not far from her. She relays no difficulty making the monthly mortgage payments on her home and has enough money to pay other bills as well. Carolyn's ability to meet her expenses and provide for her family along with her husband determines her economic stability.
Education