Gaps in Healthcare Analysis
Explain why the chosen topic is a gap in healthcare and analyze the specific population impacted by the issue.
Specifically, you should address the following:
• Describe a specific gap in the delivery of healthcare.
• Briefly describe the history of this gap in access to healthcare. Has this been an issue historically, or is it a modern issue?
• Explain the impact that the socioeconomic background of the population has on their access to healthcare.
• Describe how the healthcare delivered to the population is affected by the gap in access. • Predict any potential implications if this gap in access is not addressed.
Gaps in Healthcare
SOLUTION
A gap in equity related to mental health access for veterans
Describe a specific gap in the delivery of healthcare. Include the specific population affected by the gap.
Veterans are at high risk to experience conditions that may have affected their mental well being. They fight largely unseen enemies and face casualties. Several are injured and maimed by unseen foes. They often ended up coming home with severe physical and mental injuries from fighting with unclear objectives. According to studies, several number of veterans experience depression, loss of purpose present, and sometimes an overwhelming family crisis. The rate of suicidal deaths are significantly high among this population. They lack of access to critical mental health services and their efforts to gain quality psychological health services after multiple deployments are often challenged creating a gap in equity.
Gaps in Healthcare
Briefly describe the history of this gap in access to healthcare. Has this been an issue historically, or is it a modern issue?
Mental health issues are a global problem. It affects alarming large figures of people which reflects the wider prevalence of mental ill health. Although it may considered a modern issue because we gave attention to mental health just recently but it trace back to the root problem of health insurances of the veterans. This often stem from the lack of mental health coverage in employment-based health insurance plans.
Explain the impact that the socioeconomic background of the population has on their access to healthcare.
Receiving a mental health treatment is expensive for it requires constant follow ups and frequent visit to your health care provider. Many low wagers or those who have low income cannot afford a supplemental health insurance plan that would cover a comprehensive mental health care to address certain illnesses such as PTSD (Post Traumatic Stress Disorder), depression, anxiety, etc. In results, this may worsen the current situation of the patient which also affects the families.
Describe how the healthcare delivered to the population is affected by the gap in access.
Accessible mental health services to this specific population is absolutely important. This is to address the gap in equity and prevent further complications of mental health illness. In some states, a new mental health law was established to enable veterans and families to gain access to emergency mental health services and even temporary detention for those who are impaired with mental illness. This type of program addresses the gap and gain the help needed by the veterans to have access to mental health treatment services.
Predict any potential implications if this gap in access is not addressed
- If this gap will not be addressed properly, increasing number of veterans may become homeless due to their untreated mental health illness.
- Veterans may experience substance abuse problems and gambling addiction which may lead to suicidal ideation.
- Existing Mental health conditions may further intensified due to combat stress and post traumatic stress disorder.
Explanation
Early interventions and developing strategies to prevent further complications of mental health illness are important. Addressing this gap would help in lowering the suicidal rates among veterans population. Providing the assistance that they need and to conduct a psychiatric evaluation for them are the first step for a crisis intervention. This efforts would also cover identifying several signs and symptoms that veterans may manifest prior to attempting suicide such as depression, poor sleeping habits, feeling like a burden to their family, drugs abuse, and drinking too much. It is also important to collaborate with some mental health organizations to offer proper interventions and create programs which aim to create a community outreach support groups to address mental health problems.
Reference
Hester R. D. (2017). Lack of access to mental health services contributing to the high suicide rates among veterans. International journal of mental health systems, 11, 47. https://doi.org/10.1186/s13033-017-0154-2
