1. In Dr. Pape’s video on Systems Theories, she discusses the fact that systems theories are a good way to approach the care of an individual or group in a complete or holistic way. This allows health care disciplines to work together for the good of the individual/group to create cohesiveness among the disciplines. Give an example of a situation in which systems theories have influenced a multidisciplinary approach in the area where you work? Humans, just like is the case with organizations, have their inherent complexities. In essence, systems theory could come in handy in seeking to find solutions to a myriad of problems in the healthcare setting. It is important to note that a system is made up of a number of components which ought to be taken into consideration because it is the interconnection of these components that comprises the entire system (Ziegler, 2005). The components, however, should not be considered in isolation, but as parts of the entire system. Essentially, systems theory has had an impact in the management and leadership of healthcare organizations, which comprise of structures, processes, as well as people. All these happen to be interconnected in some way. For healthcare leaders to not only initiate, but also sustain change, they ought to be systematic thinkers. They ought to be aware of the fact that the various specialties, departments, as well as related factors such as multidisciplinary teams, multidirectional objectives are all interconnected and may either be in conflict or in support of one another. An effective health care leader should have in place management approaches that view the entire health care organization as a whole, while at the same time seeking to optimize processes by amongst other things promoting common goals, efficiently allocating resources, etc.

2. How do you see Parson’s sick role theory impacting a person’s health and illness behavior? When have you taken care of a patient that “appears” to not want to get better or have not taken the necessary...

What type of care will you give or have given this patient? (You do not have to use the COPD example).
Due to the nature of disease and illness, those who are ill may not be in a situation to perform optimally. In that regard, they are expected to assume some roles, are exempt from some responsibilities and are owed some rights. This essentially means they are allowed to deviate from the normal societal dictates. A sick person could take advantage of the approved (or sometimes positively sanctioned) ‘deviance’ and abdicate duties or obligations that they could have otherwise performed even in their current state. For this reason, they could deliberately ‘advance’ their current health situation by engaging in behaviors that worsen their illness. I have been involved with several patients who seemed not to take their health and wellbeing seriously – to the extent of almost jeopardizing their full recovery. I once had a cancer patient who seemed to enjoy the affection and concern her husband was advancing to her. Prior to her health deterioration, her family was falling apart and her husband was openly dating another woman. She would routinely refuse treatment whenever she showed signs of improvement. In essence, a patient cannot be subjected to a treatment undertaking he or she does not want. With that in mind, I had deemed it fit to share my concerns and thoughts with her closest family members who took it upon themselves to remedy the situation. After reassurances from her husband that he would change his ways and become even more loving, and pleas from her children that they needed her, she started accepting clinical opinion and was eventually on the path to full recovery.

3. Describe all the stages of Kurt Lewin’s Change Theory. Give a hypothetical example or actual example you have encountered in the practice setting and describe each stage…