- End of semester reflection- Of the topics and information that we have covered this semester in the course, what has been the most impactful or interesting?
Of all the topics and information that we have covered this semester, I found 'access to health care as a right or a privilege' to be the most impactful. This topic was impactful to me because I am guilty of taking my vast access to health care for granted. Although, I have health care coverage, I seldom go to see my primary care physician unless I become extremely ill. It saddens me to know that there are many individuals who are unfortunate and do not and have not ever had access to health care. Many do not take advantage of the public health care access because they are uninformed of the services available to the general public and even those who seek public health care are still evaluated and exam to the extent they would be if they had a primary care provider. It is difficult to believe that with the vast amount of resources available in America that we have individuals who are suffering from preventable and treatable health diseases. But on a greater scale, I have learned this semester that women as a whole are suffering worldwide because of the negligence and all of the political interference with health care issues. Women suffering from mental illnesses are embarrassed to seek treatment because of the stigma that society has placed on the disease. As future health care educators we have an enormous task ahead of us, educating the community and those in the speer of our influence about simple preventive health care and the need to receive regular health care treatment from a physician who can follow their health care progress. I will start by being a better example and seek medical attention when I am ill instead of waiting until I am in dire need of medical treatment. I will also go in for my yearly well-woman exam in the month of my birthday instead of putting it off until I have time to go to the doctor...I will begin with me!
