Psychology of Hospital Culture and Patients

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Questions and Answers

What defines an inpatient in a hospital setting?

A patient who receives treatment in emergency circumstances

A person receiving treatment for less than 24 hours

A person registered for outpatient therapy

A patient undergoing a procedure requiring overnight admission (correct)

What is the primary psychological reaction experienced by patients during hospital visits?

Increased autonomy in decision-making

Immediate compliance with treatment plans

Loss of control over their situation (correct)

Heightened trust in medical personnel

What does the term 'deference' refer to in a hospital context?

Humble submission to powerful others (correct)

The refusal to comply with medical advice

The tendency to criticize medical staff

The avoidance of seeking medical treatment

What does psychological reactance refer to in a healthcare setting?

Responses to threats against personal autonomy Signup and view all the answers

Which patient category includes those who may be admitted overnight or discharged the same day?

Emergency patients Signup and view all the answers

What is a chronic illness?

A health condition that requires ongoing medical attention for one year or more Signup and view all the answers

What percentage of deaths in the USA is attributed to smoking annually?

20% Signup and view all the answers

Which factor is identified as a fundamental cause of obesity?

Energy imbalance between calories consumed and calories expended Signup and view all the answers

According to the WHO, what has been a significant trend regarding obesity since 1980?

Worldwide obesity has nearly doubled Signup and view all the answers

What was the percentage of overweight Canadians according to the 2004 Canadian Community Health Survey?

36% Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary focus of emotion-focused coping in response to a disease?

Avoiding confrontation with the disease Signup and view all the answers

Which type of support can help alleviate emotional distress for cancer patients?

Practical support such as financial assistance Signup and view all the answers

What is a potential risk associated with the use of antidepressants in cancer patients?

Possible interactions with cancer treatments Signup and view all the answers

How is psychotherapy, particularly cognitive-behavioral therapy, useful for cancer patients?

It promotes a problem-focused approach to coping Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following best describes the relationship between physical pain and psychological pain in cancer patients?

They are correlated, with one affecting the other Signup and view all the answers

Which group is likely to experience higher reactance according to the study?

Educated individuals living in autonomous environments Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary benefit of providing information to patients regarding their care?

It empowers patients and reduces uncertainty Signup and view all the answers

What correlation exists between nurse burnout and patient ratings of care?

Strong negative correlation between burnout and patient care ratings Signup and view all the answers

Which experience tends to yield higher patient satisfaction?

Patient-centered experience involving decision-making Signup and view all the answers

What psychological effect can arise from learned helplessness?

Belief that nothing can be done to improve a situation Signup and view all the answers

Why is the colonoscopy underutilized despite its effectiveness?

Barriers such as no-shows for appointments Signup and view all the answers

According to Leiter et al. (1998), which factor showed a strong correlation with nurse burnout?

Emotional exhaustion experienced by nurses Signup and view all the answers

What is one reason for the importance of nurses in healthcare settings?

They greatly influence patient experiences due to direct contact Signup and view all the answers

What is closely associated with increased fear in patients experiencing negative symptoms?

Inadequate management Signup and view all the answers

What percentage of diabetics is affected by depression, compared to non-diabetics?

10% Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT a focus of health psychologists concerning cardiovascular diseases?

Lifestyle behavior changes Signup and view all the answers

What condition is indicated by the statistic that one in every three deaths in Canada is due to cardiovascular disease?

Heart disease Signup and view all the answers

What effect does anxiety and fear of future attacks have on patients with cardiovascular disease?

Cardiac invalidism Signup and view all the answers

What type of treatment is indicated by the phrase 'exercise at least as effective as some drugs' in relation to stroke and heart disease?

Proactive treatment Signup and view all the answers

Which demographic is noted to experience worse outcomes relating to depression and cardiovascular health?

Women and people over 65 Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following statements about coping strategies for diabetic patients is accurate?

Adherence to medical advice is crucial for effective coping. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Hospital Culture

Hospitals have their own culture, with unique interaction patterns, rules, and rituals.

Empathy

Understanding a person's perspective from their frame of reference, not your own.

Patient Categories

Inpatients: Receive diagnostic or therapeutic procedures requiring overnight hospital stay.
Outpatients: Non-invasive procedures that don't require overnight admission, may be done outside the hospital.
Emergency: Unexpected hospital visit due to urgent circumstances. May be admitted overnight or released the same day.

Psychological Reactions to Hospitalization

Perceived loss of control is common.
Deference to authority figures increases during hospital visits, particularly for surgical procedures.

Loss of Control

Less patient autonomy leads to poorer health outcomes.
Psychological reactance occurs in response to threats to autonomy, leading to noncompliant behavior.
Reactance is higher in educated individuals, those with high socioeconomic status, men, and those prone to hostility.
Learned helplessness is the belief that nothing can be done to improve a difficult situation.

Countering Loss of Control

Providing information to patients empowers them and reduces uncertainty and worry.

Nurses and Hospital Culture

Nurses have the most direct contact with patients and significantly influence their hospital experiences.
Nurses are enculturated into specific practices, therapeutic rituals (medicating, bathing), and occupational rituals (uniforms, hierarchy, jargon).

Nurse Burnout Impact

Nurse burnout strongly correlates with patient satisfaction regarding nursing care, physician care, information provision, and overall hospital experience.

Striking a Balance

Healthcare systems must find a balance between a total institutional experience (quick, simple care but less autonomy) and a patient-centered experience (patient-family involvement, but potentially slower, complex care).

Psychology of Colonoscopy

Colonoscopy effectively reduces colorectal cancer mortality risk but has low utilization.
Barriers include anxiety and fear of the procedure.

Chronic Illness/Disease

Health conditions lasting one year or longer requiring ongoing medical attention and limiting daily activities.

Smoking

Contributes to 20% of deaths in the USA annually.
Smokers live 10 years less, but quitting before age 35 eliminates the difference in death rates.

Overweight and Obesity

Caused by an energy imbalance between calories consumed and calories expended.
Contributing factors include eating patterns, physical activity, sleep, genetics, and medications.
Major risk factors for cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes, musculoskeletal disorders, and some cancers.
Prevalence is increasing, especially among children.

Cancer and Coping Style

Patients respond to cancer diagnosis with different coping styles:
- Emotion-focused coping: Focuses on reducing emotional impact, often through avoidance.
- Problem-focused coping: Focuses on addressing stressors, typically through action (compliance, seeking information).

Provides informational, emotional, and practical assistance.
Support groups offer empathy, shared experiences, and knowledge.
Educational and informational resources alleviate distress.
Practical support includes transportation and housing.

Medications and Psychotherapy for Cancer Patients

Antidepressants: Alleviate depression, but potential interactions with other treatments exist.
Psychotherapy: Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) helps patients adopt a problem-focused coping approach.
Psychotherapy also helps manage pain and supports family caregivers.

Diabetes

A metabolic disease where the body can't produce insulin efficiently.
Type 1 diabetes requires continuous management, while type 2 diabetes can often be managed or reversed.

Fear in Diabetes

Patients experiencing negative symptoms experience more fear, which, in turn, leads to more symptoms.
Fear stems from concerns about self-efficacy in managing the disease and potential long-term consequences.

Depression in Diabetes

Depression is twice as common in diabetics compared to non-diabetics.
Depression can hinder communication and acceptance of help.
Coping strategies: Ensure patient adherence to medical advice, address psychological issues using medication and CBT.

Cardiovascular Diseases

A leading cause of death worldwide.
Health psychologists focus on conditions such as myocardial infarction, coronary artery bypass surgery, and angioplasty.

Fear and Depression in Cardiovascular Disease

Anxiety and fear of future heart attacks can lead to cardiac invalidism, limiting activity levels beyond what's necessary.
This impacts quality of life, encourages unhealthy sedentary lifestyles, and increases risk of future heart attacks.
Depression is common and worsens in women and individuals over 65.

Proactive and Reactive Treatment of Cardiovascular Disease

Includes surgery, medication (blood thinners), and exercise.
Exercise has proven as effective as some medications in reducing the risk of death in stroke and heart-disease patients.

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Description

Explore the unique culture within hospitals, including interaction patterns, patient categories, and psychological reactions to hospitalization. This quiz delves into concepts like empathy, loss of control, and patient autonomy, highlighting their impact on health outcomes.