Final Paper: Social Implications of Medical Issues

W1_DQ2_SOC313_Introduction_to_the_Miller_Family.pdf

To complete this assignment, read through
the scenario below and address the specific questions and issues indicated.
Review the “Introduction to the Miller Family” document for specific
information on each member of the family.

Grandmother Ella has been dealing
with cancer for years now and has tried alternative remedies and juicing. 
She went into remission for some time, but now the cancer has returned and she
is in the hospital.  Her husband, of American Indian descent, has his
ideas about what needs to be done as Ella comes to the end of her life. 
Ella has her preferences, though she is now so weak that she has given up in
many ways.  The family members are each experiencing their own fears and
are grieving as they face the loss that will occur as Ella’s life comes to a
close.  Ella prefers to die at home and has felt stressed by the discord
and discomfort of family members since being hospitalized. 

You are the social worker for this
case.  You meet this family in the hospital setting as they are
considering whether the patient will remain there for her final days or whether
hospice and palliative care will be provided for her in her home. 

For this assignment, you will:

1. Synthesize the current research that is relevant to
   this scenario.
2. Discuss the cultural or traditional issues that could
   arise at this time.  Consider how the integration of alternative and
   complementary medicine and beliefs, mainstream medical practices, and
   cultural/traditional rituals and practices might create issues and what
   they might include.

• Describe how the family might react to the following
  possible scenarios:
• Ella wishes to stick with
  alternative and complementary practices.
• Ella is coerced into
  following mainstream medical advice.
• Ella’s husband insists that,
  as father and husband, his family traditions should be adhered to.
• Examine the biological basis for care and describe how
  the choices for care might affect the other family members with respect
  to their individual problems, if at all.
• Son Sam, the alcoholic
• Daughter Lila, with diabetes
• Grandson Josh, starting to
  have drug problems
• Granddaughter Lucy, bipolar
  with more entrenched drug problems
• Daughter-in-law, Sarah’s
  stress related to her family’s medical issues (nephew with leukemia,
  brother with HIV, and her father’s perspective that they are all
  “crazy!”)

Discuss the micro, mezzo, and macro influences
affecting both the patient and the diverse family members in this scenario
as impacted by Ella’s medical condition and prognosis.

• What are the pertinent and likely family (micro)
  conflicts and differences, and concerns that could be encountered? 
• How is the neighborhood and extended family (mezzo)
  reacting to the situation?
• If she returns home, what considerations need to be
  taken into account as part of her discharge plan? Using your local area,
  research and present the needed or preferred community resources (macro)
  that would be available to them.  Critique the ability of these
  community resources to adequately meet the needs of this diverse family’s
  circumstances.

Discuss the relevant medical issues and the advantages
and disadvantages of hospital versus home.  When discussing medical
issues in this case, use appropriate medical terminology. 

Discuss the psychological and social issues that are
present and will possibly be more pronounced at this stressful time. 
How has the fact that this illness has been ongoing (chronic) impacted the
family?

Analyze the current scenario as it pertains to
diversity, as well as to cultural, psychological, and social perspectives
and influences, taking into account the stories that you have been
discussing throughout the course.

Discuss the impact of lifespan development on the
perspectives of the various members of the family (i.e., their intellect,
cognitive abilities, insight, and judgment) as well as their sociocultural
perspectives, preferences, understandings, and positions on the situation.

Writing the Final Paper

The Final Paper:

1. Must be eight to ten double-spaced pages in length, and
   formatted according to APA style as outlined in the Ashford Writing
   Center.
2. Must include a title page with the following:
1. Title of paper
2. Student’s name
3. Course name and number
4. Instructor’s name
5. Date submitted
3. Must begin with an introductory paragraph that has a
   succinct thesis statement.
4. Must address the topic of the paper with critical
   thought.
5. Must end with a conclusion that reaffirms your thesis.
6. Must use at least three scholarly sources.
7. Must document all sources in APA style, as outlined in
   the Ashford Writing Center.
8. Must include a separate reference page, formatted
   according to APA style as outlined in the Ashford Writing Center.