Burden of Chronic Diseases and the Factors Influencing Health and Happiness

Singapore’s Health Promotion Board
Student's Name
Instructor's Name
Course Code
Date
Introduction
Medical social workers help hospital patients and families. They help patients and families manage complicated healthcare systems and resources. Medical social workers face chronic sickness, end-of-life care, and ethical concerns. This essay will cover three hypothetical medical social worker situations and the tactics and ideas that may inform their decisions and actions. The first scenario will evaluate chronic illness load and sociocultural and psychological elements that affect health and well-being. The second scenario will examine medical social workers' interdisciplinary treatment of a kid with acute lymphoblastic leukemia. In the third case, a family requests intensive therapy against the patient's wishes. Medical social workers may use ethical concepts to navigate value-laden situations. These situations may help us appreciate the problems and possibilities medical social workers encounter and how they can best serve patients and families.
Question One: a) Understanding of the Burden of Chronic Diseases
A person's health may be affected by chronic illnesses over time. These conditions need ongoing therapy since genetic, environmental, and lifestyle factors often bring them on. Patients must manage the symptoms and effects of many chronic illnesses since they are not cured. Even though older individuals are more prone to have them, these medical disorders may affect anybody at any age (Healthy Aging Team, 2021). Though the signs and symptoms of chronic illnesses might vary, they often include fatigue, discomfort, difficulty breathing, and loss of appetite. Such symptoms make daily duties challenging and reduce a person's quality of life. The quality of life may be negatively impacted by chronic diseases and the serious medical problems that might arise from them, such as cardiovascular disease, kidney stones, and stroke. Others with chronic conditions worsen, while others have remission or stability. To fully understand the progression of a chronic condition, one must pay close attention to its manifestations and adverse effects.
b) Sociocultural and Psychological Factors Influencing Health and Happiness
Sociocultural Factors
Due to their views on health and wellness, some societies may choose traditional medicine over Western medicine. The risk of chronic illness and well-being are both significantly influenced by socioeconomic status. Access to health care, wholesome food, and secure housing is impacted by income, education, and employment, all of which affect health. Cultural norms and values have the power to influence both healthcare attitudes and practices. In managing chronic illnesses and stress, friends, family, and organizations can be extremely helpful emotionally and practically. To manage chronic diseases and advance general well-being, it is crucial to comprehend and address sociocultural elements.
Psychological Factors
Psychological factors significantly impact mental health and the likelihood of developing chronic diseases. Physical and psychological well-being are interdependent. Depression and anxiety can exacerbate preexisting medical conditions and diminish overall sat...