Inadequate Support Systems for an African American Adult with Breast Ca

Description of the Problem A support system is defined as â€Å"a network of people who provide an individual with practical or emotional support† (Merriam-Webster’s, 2014). In the area of healthcare, a lack of adequate support system will negatively impact the health of an individual in multiple areas of care. This can include issues that arise not only from an individual aspect, but also through lack of support on social, emotional, instrumental, as well as informational levels. A lack of social support system means that one does not have close ties or strong relationships with family members, friends, colleagues, or members of the community. Social and emotional support is an essential part of health care involving all disease and illness, but even more so when chronic illness such as cancer is involved. This is evident in numerous studies which have found social and emotional support to be strongly correlated to â€Å"feelings of positivity, mutuality, and improved mental health outcomesâ⠂¬  among patients with cancer (Wenzel et al., 2012). Additionally, social support provides functional resources that affect a patient’s outlook on his or her health status. Instrumental support may include items such as the provision of financial assistance, while informational support might be receiving feedback from others to help patients motivate themselves to accomplish their goals (Ashing-Giwa et al., 2012). The term ‘support system’ affects many aspects of an individual’s health care which, when considered all together, compound to influence the patient most often on social and psychosocial planes of care. Problem The focus of this discussion is patient Regina, a 53-year-old African American woman who was diagnosed with breast cancer in Octobe... ...ificance in the healthcare plane. Wenzel, J., Jones, R. A., Klimmek, R., Krumm, S., Darrell, L. P., Song, D., Stearns, V., & Ford, J. G. (2012). Cancer support and resource needs among African American older adults. Clinical Journal of Oncology Nursing, 16, 4, 372-7. The purpose of this study was to obtain experiential data on cancer diagnosis and treatment, and gather recommendations from survivors regarding treatment-related needs, strategies, and psychosocial support. Results indicate that the need for cancer-specific education, importance of faith and spirituality, availability of support, and identifying financial needs were the main issues recognized as important needs for the cancer patient. This article was useful in providing additional strategies and resources to implement in encouraging the formation of strong social support in individuals with cancer.