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Critical reflective journals are solutions provided by nursing homeworks help to reflect coursework activities. They are personal records that mirror the learning experiences of nursing students.
Instructors often ask nursing students to record experiences related to their learning during or after class sessions.
Entry prompts for reflective journals and learning logs may relate to nursing theory, clinical practice, assessments, examinations, or students' own reflections about their thinking and actions during a particular class or clinical session.
The journals are then submitted to instructors who review and provide constructive feedback. Written or electronic reflections depending on course requirements may be submitted prior to or after class, clinical placements, or at other designated times.
Features of Nursing Reflective Journals
They resonate with a student's curriculum and coursework projects.
They meet the needs of a student's level, whether it is BSN, MSN, or PhD level.
Experts use nursing terminologies and templates to meet university guidelines.
All journal assignments are prepared by human experts to comply with quality standards and ensure excellence.
No AI is used to reflect real-life academic environments. Hence, all theoretical claims and evidence align with real-world scenarios.
All reflective journals are critically relevant to infuse all nursing theories with real-life practice and demonstrate theoretical applications in nursing contexts.
They answer PICOT Questions by showing how specific evidence is used in nursing practice.
Critical Reflection Journal 1 – Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM)
Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM) refers to clinical practices different from standard medical prescriptions yet equally beneficial to patients (Agarwal, 2018). Often, CAM therapies are used alongside Western medicine to increase the effectiveness of certain drugs or to lessen the side effects of strong medications such as those used on cancer patients. However, sometimes, CAM practices are utilized independently. Each of the CAM therapies is used differently based on the patient’s condition, preference, availability and the projected effectiveness of treatment.
Evaluation
In reference to the incident where a university lecturer accompanied one of his students to visit a traditional Chinese herbalist, it is clear that CAM therapies are still somewhat unpopular as people are yet to embrace them over western medicine (Ernst, 2015). Although the lecturer was permitted into the back room, he was not allowed to buy some of the herbal products. According to the herbalist, just like any other medical product, a prescription is necessary before the purchase of CAM therapies. For this reason, he took the time to prepare new concoctions tailored explicitly for the lecturer. Nevertheless, there were several other customers in the shop, indicating that CAM is slowly becoming more tolerated and accepted by patients. Currently, CAM therapies are yet to thrive across nations, but considering the associated advantages of safety and effectiveness, individuals are easing into the idea of trying out these practices.
However, contrary to popular opinion, the natural options used in CAM do not necessarily mean they are healthier or safer than standard prescriptions (Ernst, 2015). While some are safe and effective, others are ineffective and sometimes cause either direct or indirect harm to the user. Critical thinkers and researchers have also been keen to notice and point out the problems and contradictions in the field of CAM. Firstly, many forms of CAM rely on obsolete theories that lack reference to the principle of biological plausibility. Moreover, herbalists and other CAM providers such as homeopaths promote the notions of detoxification and dilution of toxins in a manner that does not correspond to the medical and scientific comprehension of these processes (Ernst, 2015). Overall, according to this argument, the implementation of CAM therapies relies much on fallacious thinking, which misleads both the provider and the patient.
Feelings
In my opinion, when used appropriately and alongside standard medical prescriptions, CAM practices are effective. Besides, approximately 80% of the populations in low and middle-income nations rely on CAM mainly for their primary healthcare needs (Agarwal, 2018). They continue to enjoy the benefits of these therapeutic modalities. However, a plausible contradicting argument is that CAM therapies are more prevalent in less developed nations not due to their effectiveness but because of the high cost of standard medical prescriptions (Gray, Steel & Adams, 2019). Either way, I think further research is necessary to clear the controversies regarding some CAM practices.
Analysis
The growing popularity of CAM has had significant impacts on the professional roles and career development of healthcare providers. Such is not only regarding their attitudes towards CAM but also the knowledge on how best to complement standard medicine with these modalities (Gray, Steel & Adams, 2019). Currently, the factors that impede successful implementation of CAM therapies include socio-cultural barriers, physician preferences, and patient anxiety. Therefore, according to Agarwal (2018), open communication between patients and healthcare providers regarding CAM use is imperative to enhance medical safety, patient satisfaction and efficacy of care. Medical professionals also need to be flexible in such a manner that allows them to consider the requests of patients who are more inclined towards CAM.
Conclusion
Comprehensive scientific research on CAM is necessary to evaluate the safety and effectiveness of different prescriptions in-depth. Such information is likely to increase patients’ preference for CAM over standard medications. Besides, CAM providers such as the Chinese herbalist will no longer need hidden rooms to carry out business as they will be more open with their operations.
Action Plan
According to Agarwal (2018), giving CAM providers a voice in the healthcare landscape can help improve illness prevention and health promotion measures following the full range of therapies and diversified knowledge of these experts. In support of this argument, Gray, Steel & Adams (2019) mentioned that introducing CAM in educational institutions can also help to increase its popularity, let alone preference in the modern world. All in all, safety is of paramount importance when considering treatment options for patients; therefore, combining traditional medicine with contemporary alternatives is likely to reduce the risks associated with CAM therapies.
Related Nursing Reading
Critical Reflection Journal 2 – Culture and Health
In the past, before the introduction of Western medicine, people relied on cultural beliefs to inform their health practices. While some of these beliefs were realistic, others were not. Even so, the overall influence of traditions on health is still significant as it affects viewpoints on illness, death, and treatment preferences (Foege, 2019). For a long time, there have been conflicts between culture and health. Despite the rise in popularity and preference of Western medicine across the globe, today, some cultures hold on to detrimental beliefs making it difficult for healthcare providers to fulfill their responsibilities.
Evaluation
Cultural concepts are dynamic, diverse, and can be passed on through several generations. The concept of ‘air’ is a traditional Italian belief which argues that moving air causes irritation, cold, and, consequently, pneumonia. For this reason, patients, especially elderly individuals with cancer, should not go through surgery because their inner bodies will be exposed to moving air causing them to die faster (Cavallo, S. (2016). Healthcare professionals working with patients and families who hold this belief are likely to have a hard time convincing them on the most favorable course of action. Nevertheless, it is up to them to help the patients rise above the cultural bias by creating new awareness and incorporating it into the plan for diagnosis and treatment (Foege, 2019). In such a case, cultural competence and patient-centered care become crucial skills as they will not only ensure the healthcare provider is conscious of the traditional beliefs of the patient but will also facilitate open, meaningful and respectful negotiations.
Feelings
In my opinion, the concept of ‘air’ should be taken into consideration only depending on the context. While fresh air is necessary for the maintenance of health, Italians hold a contradictory belief by labeling it as a cause of illness (Cavallo, S. (2016). Therefore, whereas it is vital to keep indoor places well ventilated to alleviate disease, the Italian belief about cold moving air and pneumonia should also be considered since it can be scientifically proven. Although the ‘air’ does not always cause pneumonia as the belief suggests, it is a risk factor that increases the susceptibility of exposed individuals to the illness. On the contrary, the concept of ‘air’ regarding its detrimental value during surgeries is erroneous and does not hold any medical truth. According to Romeo, Gallo & Tagarelli (2015), for a long time, Italians have shared the belief that culture, spirituality, and medicine are interrelated. For this reason, the basis of their strong belief in the concept of ‘air’ is justifiable.
Analysis
Jia, Gao, Dai, Zheng & Fu (2017) argue that culture influences the thinking and behavior of individuals. A country that values health should not discredit the culture of its people but instead use it as an appeal aimed at improving the social determinants of health in society. Besides, the role of health culture has become incredibly pronounced in recent days (Jia et al., 2017). Unlike in the past, when people did not have much choice regarding healthcare options, nowadays, there is a wide range of alternatives. As people intentionally decide the lifestyle they can sustain, part of that decision entails conditionally determining the most appropriate use of healthcare resources. In the process, the impact of traditional beliefs becomes evident since people often behave as they are conditioned to by their upbringing.
However, it is essential to note that sometimes, cultural differences are not accompanied by visible markers such as language and skin color but by distinctive beliefs, values, and rules of behavior (Romeo, Gallo & Tagarelli, 2015). For instance, it is very likely that some of the individuals who hold onto the traditional Italian belief are of a different ethnicity or speak dissimilar languages. The likelihood of such instances calls for utmost care by health providers to avoid cultural bias on the grounds of physical attributes.
Conclusion
Striking a balance between culture and health is challenging; yet, achievable. With the right attitude and skills, healthcare providers can navigate any cultural perspectives to provide safe and quality care. However, even when one thinks they have mastered one culture and its view on health, the traditions may have evolved or developed certain exceptions with time.
Action Plan
It is essential for everyone, especially health professionals, to keep learning. Lessons should not only touch on diverse traditions but also about cultural competence. Differentiating between beneficial and non-beneficial traditional ideas is the key to making an informed choice of whether to uphold or discard them.
References
Agarwal, V. (2018). Complementary and alternative medicine provider knowledge discourse on holistic health. Frontiers in Communication, 3(15), 1-12. https://doi.org/10.3389/fcomm.2018.00015
Cavallo, S. (2016). Health, air and material culture in the early modern Italian domestic environment. Social History of Medicine, 29(4), 695-716. https://doi.org/10.1093/shm/hkw029
Ernst, E. (2015). Critical reflections about current ‘CAM’ research and advocacy. Focus on Alternative and Complementary Therapies, 20(3-4), 132-134. https://doi.org/10.1111/fct.12203
Foege, W. H. (2019). Positive and negative influences of religion, culture, and tradition in Public Health. American Journal of Public Health. 109(3), 378. https://doi.org/10.2105/ajph.2018.304921
Gray, A. C., Steel, A., & Adams, J. (2019). A critical integrative review of complementary medicine education research: Key issues and empirical gaps. BMC Complementary and Alternative Medicine, 19(1), 1-20. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12906-019-2466-z
Jia, Y., Gao, J., Dai, J., Zheng, P., & Fu, H. (2017). Associations between health culture, health behaviors, and health-related outcomes: A cross-sectional study. PloS one, 12(7), 1-13. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0178644
Romeo, N., Gallo, O., & Tagarelli, G. (2015). From disease to holiness: Religious-based health remedies of Italian folk medicine (XIX-XX century). Journal of Ethnobiology and Ethnomedicine, 11(1), 1-23. https://doi.org/10.1186/s13002-015-0037-z