Health, Culture, and Identity as Asthma Treatment Factors

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Table of Contents

Introduction
Grandmother’s Role
Different Perspectives
Influence of Lanesha’s Temperament
Healthcare Providers’ Responsibilities
Conclusion
References

Introduction

Approaches to medical care and interaction with patients as a whole largely depend not only on the characteristics of specific health problems but also on other significant aspects. In particular, such indicators as culture and identity are essential to take into account when complex cases are involved. The example of Lanesha Johnson proves that health perspectives may vary depending on the perception of a certain problem and the attitude of stakeholders to it.

Grandmother’s Role

From a cultural perspective, it is not unusual that Grandmother Marietta is the primary caregiver. She is the guardian of Lanesha and, despite raising another grandson and caring for her elderly mother, she is responsible for the health of the girl. According to the assurances of the latter, Marietta does not pay due attention to the control of her granddaughter’s asthma. This, in turn, is fraught with dangerous consequences since, as Monaghan and Gabe argue, the disease can impose significant restrictions on adolescents’ lifestyles. However, the grandmother is the only guardian, and her primary caregiver status is reasonable.

Different Perspectives

As the key stakeholders involved in the Lanesha case, the girl herself, her grandmother, and Hannah Healthcare, a medical provider, are involved. Their interpretations of the situation may differ, and in relation to each version, the participants find their justifications. Lanesha is confident that no one intends to provide real help to her, and she just correctly answers the questions that she is asked, thereby avoiding additional interaction with medical providers. Marietta is convinced that her granddaughter will not use the medicine properly; therefore, she sees no reason to tighten her asthma control regimen. Finally, Hannah Healthcare is sympathetic with the girl and tries to justify Lanesha, claiming that the latter is a victim of her hot temper. The multiplicity of versions complicates the process of solving the problem and establishing productive interaction.

Influence of Lanesha’s Temperament

Lanesha’s temperament exacerbates the situation and creates additional difficulties for both the girl and medical providers. Conflicts between Lanesha and her grandmother lead to the fact that asthma control is at a poor level, which, in turn, affects the health outcomes of the adolescent negatively. According to Jones, Frey, Riekert, Fagnano, and Halterman increased teen autonomy” and “risky decision-making” are dangerous behavioral patterns that are common to many teenagers. Despite being aware of her problem, Lanesha is not ready to change the situation for the better and does not intend to cooperate with either the health staff or her relatives. This approach makes any interventions ineffective and useless and hampers the treatment regimen.

Healthcare Providers’ Responsibilities

In relation to the case under review, healthcare providers are to be tolerant of the complex temperament of the teenager and help solve her problem exacerbated by challenging relationships with family members. In addition, given that Lanesha has difficulties with sleeping due to asthma, medical professionals should pay attention to this issue. Fidler et al. note that there is a direct correlation between teenagers’ sleep problems caused by asthma and their irritability. Therefore, providers can help the adolescent and contribute to her adapting to life in society.

Conclusion

On the example of Lanesha Johnson’s case, one can note how much the characteristics of treatment and care may vary if different aspects of culture and identity are manifested. The situation in which the teenager’s family found itself is difficult due to the girl’s challenging relationships with her grandmother and with medical providers, as well as her progressive illness. Healthcare professionals should be tolerant of Lanesha’s problems and do everything possible to make her life easier.

References

Fidler, A., Lawless, C., LaFave, E., Netz, M., McConville, A., Turner, E., & Fedele, D. (2019). Anxiety among adolescents with asthma: Relationships with asthma control and sleep quality. Clinical Practice in Pediatric Psychology, 7(2), 151-156. doi:10.1037/cpp0000267

Jones, M. R., Frey, S. M., Riekert, K., Fagnano, M., & Halterman, J. S. (2019). Transition readiness for talking with providers in urban youth with asthma: Associations with medication management. Journal of Adolescent Health, 64(2), 265-271. doi:10.1016/j.jadohealth.2018.08.026

Monaghan, L. F., & Gabe, J. (2016). Embodying health identities: A study of young people with asthma. Social Science & Medicine, 160, 1-8. doi:10.1016/j.socscimed.2016.05.013

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