Advance Theoretical Perspectives for Nursing

For children or those who are unable to talk for themselves, healthcare providers typically use proxy subjective health status or evaluation methods. But it’s vital to evaluate the underlying assumptions and potential outcomes of this tactic. The proxy, such as a parent or caretaker, is assumed to be aware of the person’s health status or care experiences and to be able to report them honestly. The proxy might not completely understand the person’s position, might not be able to effectively convey the person’s experiences, or might be influenced by their own preconceptions and viewpoints, therefore this assumption might not always be true.

The disadvantage of using proxy measures is that they could not accurately reflect the person’s real health status or healthcare experiences. This might lead to subpar outcomes, inefficient therapy, and incorrect diagnosis. For instance, a parent can underestimate their child’s level of discomfort if they are not completely aware of the severity of their child’s condition. As a result, the child can endure needless suffering as a result of poor pain management. Additionally, the use of proxy measures could not take into account the individual’s unique preferences, which might lead to a lack of patient-centered care.

Adoption of proxy measures may unintentionally weaken the individual by denying them a voice in their own healthcare. Children may not have all of their needs met as a result of not always being able to or being given the opportunity to speak for themselves. This might be really unsettling. The fact that children are individual creatures with distinct preferences and needs, and that their healthcare should take this into account, must be understood.

The power imbalances in the healthcare system can also be maintained through proxy methods. If the proxy is a parent, for example, their own biases and experiences may influence how they report on the child’s health. As a result, the impression of the child’s health status by the medical staff may become skewed, which may ultimately have an impact on the care provided. This may be particularly troublesome for marginalized groups since their needs might not be met and their opinions might not be heard.

In conclusion, even though proxy subjective health status or evaluation measures may be necessary in some situations, it is vital to carefully evaluate the underlying assumptions and potential effects of this method. When assessing the person’s health and the standard of their care, it is critical to involve them as much as possible and to make sure that their thoughts and voices are heard. This may be achieved by including the patient as much as possible in their care as well as by ensuring that proxy reports are validated and their data is triangulated with information from other sources.