Health Improvement Plan

By: Monica Mendoza

Client Overview

Patient: John SmithAge: 37Gender: MaleEducation: 8th GradeProfession: LandscaperChief Complaints: Having a hard time

protecting ones self from the sun, keeps getting sun-burned.

Overview Health History

Weight: 191Height: 5’6Adult Illnesses: Type 2 Diabetes, Bipolar

DisorderSurgical History: sinus infection surgery on

March 21, 2012Family Health History: High Blood Pressure,

Prostate Problems, ArthritisMethods of Relaxation: watching soccer,

talking walks, working, and visiting his son.

Research

People who live in areas with bright sun light year-round or at high altitudes have a higher risk of developing skin cancer, as do those who spend a lot of time outside during the midday hours or in a tanning bed (cancer.net, 2014).

The summer is not the only time you are at risk for damage from the sun. There are 365 days a year, and you need protection much of that time to reduce your lifetime sun exposure total. Everyday counts (skincancerfoundation.org.,2014).

Research Continued

Detrimental effects caused by UVR include acute sun damage in the form of a sunburn and chronic sun damage leading to photo ageing and possibly cutaneous malignancies (R.M. Mackle).

The incidence of skin cancer is increasing worldwide. Protecting the skin from the sun by wearing protective clothing, using a sunscreen with appropriate sun protection factor, wearing a hat, and avoiding the sun are recommended as primary preventive activities by cancer agencies (Stanton, W. R).

Target Behavior

To learn the importance of skin care protection from the sun.

Theory (HBM)

Perceived Susceptibility: higher risk of getting skin cancer by being under the sun everyday and doesn’t think over exposer to the sun cause anything serious.

Low Perceived Severity: he wore at least some sunscreen and a hat.

Perceived Barriers: doesn’t think skin protection is very important.

Self-efficacy: is willing to have an open mind and if the client has to change he’s habits he’s willing to do so in order to protect and better himself.

Goal

The goal that was selected to be worked on for the next 3-4 weeks was, to become educated about the importance of sun protection and, the ways to protect oneself from harming ultraviolet radiation caused by the sun that causes sun burns and skin cancer.

Every appointment was spent learning about sun protection, making sure that the client understood, and making sure the client put what he learned to use.

Intervention Highlights

Seeing the eagerness of the client to learn was really encouraging.

There was two and a half weeks were the client had no signs of being burned from the sun because of what he learned at the appointments.

Results

The client has learned all he needs to know about skin care protection, and is now making it a habit to protect his skin from the sun.

Personal/Professional Analysis

The client was ready and eager to learn the whole way though.

The client was easy to work with and never complain.

Using the articles to teach him with really helpful because he wanted proof that sun protection is

important.Overall the intervention was fairly simple and it was

smooth sailing all the way. I think the client really learned about sun protection

and is going to use everything he learn and incorporate it in his everyday life.

References

Skin Cancer Foundation. (2014, January 1). <i>Year-Round Sun Protection</i>. Retrieved May 15, 2014, from http://www.skincancer.org/prevention/sun-protection/prevention-guidelines/year-round-sun-protection

Protecting Your Skin From the Sun. (n.d.). Cancer.Net. Retrieved May 19, 2014, from http://www.cancer.net/navigating-cancer-care/prevention-and-healthy-living/protecting-your-skin-sun

Stanton, W. R. Primary prevention of skin cancer: a review of sun protection in Australia and internationally. Health Promotion International, 369-378. Retrieved May 28, 2014, from http://heapro.oxfordjournals.org/content/19/3/369.abstract

MacKie, R. Radiation Protection Dosimetry. Effects of Ultraviolet Radiation on Human Health. Retrieved June 3, 2014, from http://rpd.oxfordjournals.org/content/9 1/1-3/15.abstract