1

Diversity Awareness in Health Assessments: TJ Case Study

Student’s Name

Institutional Affiliation

Course Number and Name

Instructors Name

Due Date
 2

Diversity Awareness in Health Assessments: TJ Case Study

Competency in cultural assessments entails the transformation and assimilation of

knowledge of certain groups of individuals or a person regarding particular attitudes, practices,

policies, and standards. This competency is vital as it aids a practitioner to provide the best

healthcare quality, ultimately generating better results. Some factors that can influence a person's

perspective about health include lifestyle, sexual orientation, beliefs, and culture. These factors

should not be ignored when carrying out a health assessment to ensure appropriate care. This

discussion intends to assess the bearing of diversity and cultural consciousness in health

evaluations.

In TJ’s case, multiple aspects need to be taken into considerations to evaluate her health

history and susceptibilities. Moreover, the approach used needs to be sensitive and non-

discriminatory. Cultural knowledge should also be exploited in developing more probing and

constructive questions to avoid stereotyping the patient (Jarvis, 2018). No physiological

differences between heterosexual and lesbian females exist; therefore, being a lesbian has no

impact on a person's health status. Regardless, the risk factors or behaviours that have been

associated with most lesbians can be consequential (Kates et al., 2020). These risk factors can

help practitioners to formulate centered questions for enhanced health evaluation. Thus, diversity

and cultural distinctions are vital in determining a patient's health needs, in this case, JP's health

needs.

Typically, being a pregnant lesbian can be very uncommon. Even though she planned her

pregnancy and has been taking good care of it, it is essential to acknowledge that some risk

factors may implicitly or explicitly affect both the child's and the mother's heath statuses.
 3

Afterward, these factors need to be recognized. Lesbians often come across obstacles to

receiving good healthcare, which incorporates concerns disclosure and confidentiality, narrow

access to insurance and healthcare, discriminatory treatment, and prejudiced attitudes (Nama et

al., 2017). Due to these barriers, it is likely that TJ may not have discussed some of her health

practices and history.

As a healthcare practitioner, I must embrace a thoughtful strategy of attending to her

medical needs. Despite her prior visits to the obstetrician during her early pregnancy, there is a

chance that she is affected by either one or more of the risk factors mentioned above.

Additionally, there is a probability that she did not discuss these factors with any practitioner

before. Other than that, I must assess her family history of diabetes since it can result in adverse

and preventable effects on the child and mother. Lastly, I must evaluate her beliefs, attitudes, and

practices to note any additional risk factors to her pregnancy.

During the assessment, I will incorporate the recognized factors and risks alongside the

presented scenario to form focused inquiries. These inquiries will aim to obtain the most patient-

focused info needed to effectively address TJ's health needs while taking her diversity into

consideration. These queries will be: How is your mood today? How do you feel about your

condition? Are there any worsened or new symptoms since your last visit to the obstetrician?

When was this visit?Would you explain your lifestyle in terms of activities and diet? Are you

sexually active? What is your current marital status? Has anyone in your bloodline ever had a

complicated pregnancy? Have you had any adverse medical issues since you were young? Do

you have any concerns about your pregnancy? Is there anything you feel I need to know?

Overall, if answered correctly and in detailed information, I believe that these questions will tell
 4

me what I really need to know about the patient. Most importantly, I will be able to provide her

with the best patient-centered healthcare.

 5

References

Jarvis, C. (2018). Physical Examination and Health Assessment-Canadian E-Book. Elsevier

Health Sciences.

Kates, J., Ranji, U., Beamesderfer, A., Salganicoff, A., & Dawson, L. (2015). Health and access

to care and coverage for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) individuals in

the US. Kaiser Family Foundation. Retrieved February 16, 2020.

Nama, N., MacPherson, P., Sampson, M., & McMillan, H. J. (2017). Medical students’

perception of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) discrimination in their

learning environment and their self-reported comfort level for caring for LGBT patients:

a survey study. Medical education online, 22(1), 1368850.