Care of Marginalized Persons Reflection

In a thoughtful, two- to three-paragraph post, reflect on the following: 

1. Describe individual, environmental, and societal factors influencing the health of vulnerable and marginalized populations. 
2. Examine the historical, social, cultural, political, and economic forces that influence vulnerability and marginalization. 
3. Discuss strategies for resolving health and healthcare disparities and improving the health of vulnerable and marginalized populations. 
4. How will you apply what you learn about care of marginalized persons to enhance the care of diverse populations? 

After this week’s insightful class meeting with Bob Fowler, the Portland Maine Public Health Director, he shed light on the various public health initiatives and efforts that the city offers for the community. For those of vulnerable and marginalized populations in any area or specifically in the Portland, Maine area they could experience deficits in their everyday life because of unfair treatment. One specific example that is prevalent right now is someone possibly not being able to have the chance to register for a COVID-19 vaccination due to being in a marginalized population. Many things can affect a person such as: not fluent in English or any offered languages of a facility, not being literate, not having access to technology, not having consistent living situations or an address to write on forms, not having healthcare or an income. Often the initial forces that influenced marginalization and vulnerability for populations goes back to gender and race, favoring Caucasian males. This historical perspective continued forward throughout decades and can still be seen in the economy and social movements in today’s culture. This way of thinking is: being anything out of the ‘norm’ puts a target on you and you can be seen as different and not deserving of the same treatment or pay. No matter the amount of traction or support that movements going against this POV, not much has changed and vulnerable populations still exist. 

To improve the health of these populations, healthcare facilities can expand on the amount and quality of interpreters and options for communication that are available, having a well-diversified staff to welcome and treat these patients, connecting and having community resources available if-needed could be a start for strategies. Not all these strategies can be implemented overnight but admitting that it is a goal and making progress over time would be beneficial. To enhance the care of these populations I will ensure to: prioritize all patients and treat all with the same respect that I would expect to have for myself, utilize motivational interviewing techniques throughout all encounters, build therapeutic relationships, work inter-professionally to connect my clients with resources and make them feel involved and supported throughout their care. Learning more about the community that we reside in can be an important step for when starting a new-graduate nursing job and be able to work towards these goals.