In my opinion there is a difference amongst both groups. Patients with chronic conditions such as diabetes more specifically type 2 for example. The reason being is that a good portion of diabetics have chosen a sedentary lifestyle coupled with obesity, which results in negative judgement being passed between healthcare professionals unfortunately. For the select few of individuals who lead a relatively healthy lifestyle judgement is not passed quite as bad as those who have other conditions that could be hindering their diabetes even more. Furthermore, for individuals with chronic conditions such as COPD that has been acquired due to their long history of smoking, those patients will not be treated quite as well as an individual with history alcoholism. I feel that in medicine prognosis has a huge part in determining how well healthcare professionals will treat you. For the example with the COPD patient cannot reverse or treat the alveoli that have been affected but for alcoholics they can reverse their complication they can solely maintain it and become healthier individuals with the support they need. Another example, they healthy type 2 diabetic may acquire more resources and much more support as to individuals with a chronic opioid addiction. Although opioid addiction can be reversed and this individual can also become a healthy individual the social determinants of health that each individual has chosen is different amongst both individuals. For the diabetic they are choosing to remain healthy and may have no issues that can prevent them from keeping compliant with their plan of care whereas, for the opioid addict they may have a multiple factor that have caused them to seek opioids and now that they are addicted the prognosis is relatively lower.

The healthcare system in general I feel looks at the amount of money it will take to each group of patients, which can cause fragmented care. According to Connecting care for patients, “Fragmented care wastes money. It is well documented that health care is a major drain on the U.S. economy and money wasted by inefficient health care could be used to improve the quality of life for all Americans” (2018). It is well known that the U.S. spends the most money on healthcare than any other country but it doesn’t seem to truly be effective at resolving a better way to treat chronic conditions or the substance use rise occurring. The similarity between both groups in the healthcare system is that they are continuing to cost more and more money due to the multiple readmissions rates that are occurring and the effectiveness of the approaches they are taking currently are not as effective as they could be. The difference between them both is the approach that is taken. With chronic conditions the approach is more so medically based focusing on a medication regiment but age appropriate education for each individual I feel is lacking, which leaves some or most patients unclear causing the readmissions. Whereas, with substance abuse the approach is more so focused on seeking help or providing resources for the individuals to independently go too. Substance use disorders should focus on a holistic approach such as focusing on mental health, being an advocate to help provide access to specialized mental health care, and the screenings should be just as important as it is with chronic conditions.

Overall, multiple factors I feel persuade someone to seek judgement and amongst chronic conditions and substance use disorders the similarity they have between them both is the aspect of prognosis. The main difference between both I feel is the social determinants of health that healthcare professional may or may not take into account.

Katz, B. (2018). Connecting care for patients. Retrieved from https://ebookcentral-proquest-com.proxy.lib.ohio-state.edu

I feel that the stigma between patients with a substance use disorder isn’t getting better. For those “frequent flyer” patients who are in and out of the hospital I feel that healthcare professionals try not to be judgmental but they are in some way. This hinders the quality of patient care they receive especially if they are aggressive, obnoxious, and overstimulating patients. The healthcare team especially the PCA’s and nurses take the brunt of the abuse from these patients, which can be a lot if you have more than one patient like that. As the opioid epidemic continues to worsen the stigma with patients has not gotten better. As mentioned in the lecture video society states things are a war against drugs but in reality, they are doing more damage to the health of these abusers instead of seeking out ways to better combat this epidemic. One way I feel we can combat this issue is having more long-term care facilities in Ohio dedicated to substance abuse. Awareness seems to always be an ongoing approach that can help in a sense but if individuals do not learn to be understanding and truly hear these substance abusers’ stories if they have one then they will not be able help them. I also feel that prescription regiments should be better tailored to prevent substance abuse. Some individuals become hooked onto these substances because they were removed suddenly or just continued to be prescribed heavy dose medications. Furthermore, in my opinion from what I’ve experienced in the clinical setting and what my friends’ experiences are who work on renal and liver units the stigma is very high because patients do not want to help themselves. They are chronic substance abusers and only a select few go on to try and become better. My other experiences are from old friends who have gotten into abusing substances and becoming dependent on those drugs. Unfortunately, this stigma that institutions have is concerning