Discussion
Disucuss about the Professional pathways in Health science.
Health professionals or healthcare providers refer to individuals who adopt a systematic way, to provide curative, preventive, rehabilitative, or promotional health care services to patients, their family members and the entire community. Healthcare professionals operate between several branches of healthcare that includes medicine, dentistry, pharmacy, psychology, nursing, and other allied health professions (Boellinghaus, Jones & Hutton, 2014). Healthcare professionals have been recognised to play a critical and central role in bringing about an improvement in the quality and access to healthcare services for the global population. In addition to working across hospitals and healthcare centres, they are also found in jobs that pertain to healthcare research, academic training, and healthcare administration.
Such professionals are categorised according to their levels of skills and specialization, within the field of clinical expertise. This report is based on an interview with two healthcare professionals working in the areas of therapeutic recreation and health services management, respectively. An analysis of the responses from the interview will provide a sound understanding of the area of their work, and will also help in identification of the theoretical models and/or frameworks that are implemented for their effective practice. Upon completion of the report the abilities and skills that are required in both the identified healthcare professionals will be recognised.
Areas of work and institutions
One of the healthcare professional works in the field of therapeutic recreation and has the role of offering recreational therapy that refers to a systematic process which utilizes leisure or recreation, in the form of interventions, for addressing the needs of individuals suffering from disability or a range of illnesses. Her work differs from other professionals with the use of leisure activities to meet goals of overall health and wellbeing, which in turn is enhanced by an improved functioning of the motor social and cognitive faculties (Dorstyn, Roberts, Kneebone, Kennedy & Lieu, 2014). A recreational therapist works in a variety of settings as nursing homes, hospitals, abuse centres, rehabilitation centres and residential care facilities.
The other healthcare professional works in the field of health services management that makes individuals responsible for the financial and strategic running of the hospital, or community health service. This job is associated with management leadership and administration of hospitals, healthcare systems and public health facilities, to ensure attainment of specific outcomes (Ozcan, 2014)
Theoretical models and frameworks
Areas of work and institutions
The ‘self-determination theory’ (SDT) in recreational therapy is concerned with the inherent growth tendencies and psychological needs of an individual and emphasizes on the motivation that allows people make choices, without any interference or external influence. Research studies have established the fact that this theory focuses on intrinsic motivation, which encompasses initiation of an activity, owing to its interest and satisfaction, as perceived by an individual that facilitates in accomplishing intended goals (Ryan, Huta & Deci, 2013). The interview of the healthcare professional showed consistency with these findings by the fact that she also focuses on utilisation of this theory, and supports the needs of relatedness, autonomy, and competence for fostering health and wellbeing of her patients.
‘Organisation theory’ has been identified imperative for management of healthcare services, owing to the fact that the theory provides a way of describing visualizing, understanding, analysing, and improving organisations, based on patterns of behaviour and design (Shafritz, Ott & Jang, 2015). The ever increasing rates of fatal medical errors, treatment delay, and shortage of staff makes it imperative that these theories are implemented for the operations management. However, the health care professional contradicted this fact by suggesting that she focuses on utilisation of ‘attribution theory’ that helps in assessing the failure and success of the healthcare system, with the aim of creating a safer environment for all patients (Hareli, 2014)
Professional skills
Some of the major skills and attributes for a recreational therapist include having compassion and leadership capabilities. Adopting a gentle and sympathetic approach towards supporting patience and their families help in alleviating emotional stress. Appropriate leadership qualities also facilitate the planning, development and implementation of leisure based intervention programs, in an effective manner (Sylvester, 2015). The healthcare professional also suggested that having active listening skills while caring for patients is imperative, for determining an effective course of therapy.
The health service manager suggested that she is capable of handling budgets and scheduling, in addition to processing adequate mathematical skills that helps in identification of errors. Health service management is largely based on leadership, in relation to facility management, strategic planning, and policy development (Hebert et al., 2014). Presence of appropriate leadership skills would facilitate selection of goals, and their supervision without micromanaging. The professional has skills of analysing cost of certain treatment alternative, conducting inspections of medical facilities and ensuring compliance to hospital regulations.
Recreational therapists serve a plethora of clients, having special needs that includes both children as well as adults, with autism spectrum disorders, traumatic brain injury, cerebral palsy, post-surgery rehabilitation, and the elderly population (Hesselmark, Plenty & Bejerot, 2014). On the other hand, health service managers or healthcare administrators are responsible for directing, coordinating, and planning medical and health care services. Their clients include the entire facility, or a specific clinical department or area that is composed of a group of physicians and allied healthcare professionals. The aspects of transcultural health refers to the ability of organisations and healthcare providers to effectively delivery services that are able to meet the cultural, social and linguistic needs of all clients.
Theoretical models and frameworks
Transcultural health provides recreational therapist with a better understanding of cultural nuances that improves interaction of the clients, from diverse backgrounds. It also helps in identification of rationale, for improving the competencies and skills, while working with different racial groups (Douglas et al., 2014). The interview also helped to identify that specific cultural and ethnic groups have important historical dates and cultural customs, which might create an impact on the recreational practices that have been planned for a service user. Displaying cultural competency in the healthcare management helps in reducing disparities, and promotes diversity in the governance and leadership of the organization (Delgado, Ness, Ferguson, Engstrom, Gannon & Gillett, 2013).
Interprofessional healthcare
Interprofessional and multidisciplinary collaboration is integral for delivery of a holistic approach, to rehabilitating patients with the use of leisure activity. The recreational therapists collaborate with nursing professionals, and their clients, with the aim of developing sustainable strategies that will improve the overall quality of life of the patients, by bringing about an active engagement (King, Curran & McPherson, 2013).
This collaboration provides the patients with the appropriate leisure services that they need, and also creates the place and time for them to gather and have fun, in addition to developing deeper connections. Interprofessional collaboration is also regarded as key for health service management, because it helps in forming an effective teamwork that creates the potential for allowing more comprehensive cost-effective, and population based patient care services, and also increases the emphasis on disease prevention and maintenance of the organization (Supper, Catala, Lustman, Chemla, Bourgueil & Letrilliart, 2015). Interprofessional healthcare also helps in ensuring presence of adequate staffing and equipment, thereby reducing chances of medication errors, burnout and fatigue.
Sustainable development goals and health
Human rights can be addressed by recreational therapy due to the fact that a participation and leisure activities has been recognised as a fundamental human right, and also plays an important role in ensuring optimal quality of life. Leisure has been identified as a crucial and primary contributor to flourishing the life goals of human beings (Soffer & Almog-Bar, 2016). The interview response also suggested that the recreational therapists most often display a sound knowledge on the UN Convention on the Rights of People with Disabilities that focuses on ensuring equal access for participation in recreation, leisure and sports activity, to children who suffered from disabilities (Griggs et al., 2013). Moreover the right to healthcare is also fundamental human right that draws on the principle that every individual has the right to access highest attainable standards of mental and physical health care. Interview of the health service manager elaborated on the fact that all individuals are capable of accessing available medical services, food, decent housing, and safe working conditions, sanitation, and a clean environment. Hence, efforts must be taken to prevent corruption in the management of healthcare organization, to address the human rights (Buse & Hawkes, 2015).
Professional skills
The major challenges faced by the healthcare professionals in attaining sustainable development goal at the local level include water and sanitation. Lack of safe drinking water and toilets result in the development of several diseases, thereby lowering the economic productivity of the society. Major challenges encountered at the national level includes presence of poverty, gender inequality, lack of education, and inequitable access to healthcare services. Efforts must be taken to eliminate these challenges, for achieving sustainable goals, in the context of health and social care.
Conclusion
Thus, it can be concluded that recreational therapists focus on implementation of a cost effective intervention that uses active treatments, in the form of leisure, recreations, sports and community participation, for increasing the functional outcome and well-being of individuals, who experience several health abnormality or disabilities. The recreational therapists offer treatment services for restoring and rehabilitating the optimal levels of functioning and independence of the affected individuals, and also reduce or eliminate restriction for activity limitations in their life situation. On the other hand, health service manager in charge of the entire clinical organization, or specific departments, and have the task of determining organisational goals, hiring staff, creating budgets, and controlling the operational duties of the medical hospital setting. However, there is a need to demonstrate cultural competency, identify the basic human rights of all clients and address sustainable development goals, for ensuring an enhancement in the health and well-being of all patients.
References
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