Vulnerable Populations: Interview and Reflection Assignment

Instructions and Rubric

Instructions: Each student will identify an individual that is representative of a selectedvulnerable population. (Note: children are excluded from interview selection for this assignment). Obtain consent to conduct an interview. Inform the interviewee that their identity will remain anonymous, and no identifying information will be shared or published. The intent of the interview is for the student to learn how to conduct an interview to learn more about the individual’s perspective, experience of health care, in order to improve nursing practice and health care delivery for members of a selected vulnerable population. Students may utilize patient interviewing resources posted in the Supplemental Materials course Folder as a guide to conducting the interview. After conducting the interview, review the reflection questions provided and submit a document via the Assignment link on BlackBoard (two pages maximum) that summarizes the interview highlights and reflection.

Reflection Questions

In a few sentences, discuss any highlights, perspective, questions, and new insight that came about as a result of your conversation with the interviewee. How might what you learned result in a change in your nursing practice?

Grading Rubric

Interview information

Subject:  75-year-old man

Diagnosis:  chronic diabetic foot ulcer, cellulitis, osteomyelitis and DVT

Patient came to the ED because of increasing pain in lower left extremity.  There was purulent drainage and odor from wound.  Left leg was also swollen, red and tender above area of wound.  Patient stated he ran out of his blood thinning medication months ago and was not able to obtain a new prescription.  Patient feels he has adequately managed his diabetes with diet and insulin use.  Chronic wound has been treated on an outpatient basis until recently when patient was unable to obtain transportation to the wound care clinic.  Patient felt his experience in the emergency department was demeaning.  He felt shamed for his recent health condition and talked down to as a result of his chronic illnesses.  The patient felt his problem started when he was unable to renew a prescription for xarelto.  He felt the medication was effective at managing clots from developing and feels the new clot in his leg is a result of not taking the medication and that in turn has complicated his chronic foot wound.  His current condition has made it difficult for him to walk and he has spent much of his time in bed or a recliner.  Recently the patient stated he has developed a fever and chills and extreme pain in his left lower leg.  The patient believes he has an infection and believes with some antibiotics it will resolve.  He stated that he has had infections at the same site and has taken other antibiotics at home and in the hospital to resolve the problem and he is not concerned.  The patient does fear that if his chronic ulcer is not addressed once and for all that he may have to have toes or part of his foot amputated.  Patient states that he has had concerns about his treatment in the past but that no one has listened to him.