An Analysis of Teaching Experience and Observations

My teaching practice intended to address the issue of common Urinary Tract Infections among older patients, particularly ladies over the age of 70 and males over the age of 60. UTI has recently emerged as a substantial source of mortality and morbidity, with 10-30% of seniors dying as a result of bacteria. UTI is characterized by poor urine elimination and a constricted urethral sphincter as a result of pus collection. The presence of pus cells in the urine determines the status following urinalysis. Urine leakage may potentially be an indication of UTI. The disease has various signs and symptoms such as acute pain due to visceral urinary structures inflammation depicted by patient verbalization pain during urination. Disturbed sleep pattern coupled with an increase in the frequency of urinating also indicates the presence of the condition. In my teaching practice, I was looking forward to educating the community on these issues. According to various studies, insufficient knowledge on UTI has been the cause for the delayed search for treatment options. The practice also involved determining the readiness to learn among the students who are adults of senior ages. The students, thus, needed the reassurance of respect and confidence through establishing trust. At the same time, they required creating interest by showing the importance of the topic on UTI and how the condition is prevalent in old age with its unwanted effects resulting due to inadequate preventive measures. Also, the teaching practice involved the organization of the session based on complexity from the basic concepts down to what is specific to individuals. The exercise also included the establishment of goals such as Healthy People 2020 (HP2020) and objectives which address the explanation of the condition, risk factors, preventive measures, treatment options, and potential complications as a result of the disease. The process involved introducing the concept of UTI concerning morbidity and mortality among the elderly and engaging them to learn, ask questions, and showcase their understanding while sharing experiences with the conditions regarding treatment options and their regular sexual health practices.

Epidemiological Rationale for UTI in Elderly Patients

The UTI condition is prevalent among the old population members preferably from 60 years and above. The epidemic occurs due to bacteria in the urethra sphincter denoted by pus cells present in the urine. Through urinalysis, a nurse can detect the pus cells in the urine and diagnose a patient with the UTI condition. The epidemiology rationale for the UTI may involve the signs and symptoms, risk factors, treatment options, and preventive measures associated with the disease.

Risk Factors

Firstly, UTI occurs due to poor dental hygiene. Poor genitals hygiene may involve practices such as wearing same undergarments for a long time resulting in accumulation of dangerous bacteria near the sexual organs. It may also be as a result of poor practices of washing or handling the reproductive organs. Secondly, use of dirty or wet undergarments results in the occurrence of UTI. Wet garments may result in bacteria introduction in the sex organs. Bacteria are related to the emergence of UTI.

Signs and Symptoms

UTI comes with a couple of signs and symptoms which are easy to denote even before the condition reaches the acute stages. Firstly, the patient suffers from painful urination. This pain may be seen by how a patient takes a long duration of time while trying to ease the urine out. Secondly, a patient experience increased frequency urination. This symptom occurs due to a narrowed urethra sphincter allowing due to pus accumulation. Thus, the urethra enables the passage of a small volume of urine in frequencies. Therefore, a patient feels the urge to urinate for many times especially during the night. Thirdly, there is pus drainage from the genitals. Pus accumulates in the urethra sphincter due to the presence of bacteria. Therefore, during urination, a patient deposits the discharge together with the urine. Lastly, a patient also experiences sleep disturbances while trying to deal with the recurrent urge to urinate.

Treatment Options

Unlike the generations in the population, the elderly seem to be opposed to finding treatment options in the healthcare settings. Instead, they attempt to treat the condition using traditional practices. However, this only results in increased complications especially if the situation lacks timely treatment. Therefore, the teaching practices aim at discouraging UTI patients from using traditional methods and instead link them with the healthcare treatment for practical and appropriate treatment.

Preventive Measures

Preventing the occurrence of UTI especially in older age is the most effective control of its prevalence. Prevention of the condition aims at limiting the contamination of the sexual organs by the bacteria which causes the disease. Firstly, use of dry and clean undergarments limits the possibility of bacteria to find their way to the genitals. Therefore, this reduces the chances of contracting UTI. Secondly, frequent screening through the process of urinalysis may also aid in the prevention of the condition. Testing may take place after the detection of early signs such as the urge to urinate or sleep disturbance. Where screening takes place in early stages, prevention and treatment of the condition become easier.

Evaluation of Teaching Experience

Through determining the level of effectiveness in my teaching practice, I was able to evaluate the teaching experience. The effectiveness of teaching appeared by the deep understanding of the topic and by having the audience asking questions and discussing various concepts of the condition. Firstly, through asking the audience a few questions regarding the UTI condition, signs and symptoms, treatment, and prevention I was able to learn more about the audience. The questions session provided me with a clear indication of the level of understanding by the audience. Secondly, the audience’s engagement in group discussions addressing the objectives of the teaching session was also a proof of broad knowledge among the students. Thirdly, a detailed follow-up of the previously UTI infected patients helps in the evaluation of the teaching experience. This process involved assessment of the condition and the progress of these patients with the UTI. Positive development indicated that the learning experience benefitted the patients as opposed to negative progress.

Community Response to Teaching

The community involved in the learning experience had much to learn about UTI and its prevention and treatment. Firstly, the population appreciated learning the misconceptions associated with UTI. These misconceptions include the use of traditional practices to treat and prevent the condition. Also, it consists of the conventional sexual beliefs that associate genitals with sacredness. The community learned that effective treatment involves urinalysis for screening and treatment of the condition. Secondly, the community responded to the learning practice through engaging in critical discussions concerning signs and symptoms, risk factors, prevention strategies, and treatment options of the UTI. Many community members appreciated the insight learned concerning the condition as a significant cause of the mortality and morbidity in the senior ages. Lastly, through the follow-up of the patients suffering from the disease, I learned that many of them responded by deploying the practices taught in the teaching sessions. By then, many patients had already considered practicing hygiene for the prevention of the condition. Some of the hygienic practices adopted by the community included prevention of genitals contamination through the use of clean and dry undergarments. In the follow-up process, I also noted that might patients who had the UTI condition ditched the traditional prevention and treatment practices in favor of the healthcare system as a way to ensure adequate treatment.

Areas of Strengths and Improvement

The teaching practice provided me an opportunity to interact with the community and learn more about healthcare concerning the treatment and prevention of various conditions. Throughout the exercise, I encountered multiple experiences that indicated my strengths as a health practitioner engaging in community education. At the same time, I noted several areas that I need to improve to become more efficient in delivering education and training to the community.

Strengths

Firstly, I was active in creating an environment that supports trust, acceptance, and confidence. Since I was dealing with senior members of the community, I needed to reassure them that they will receive respectful treatment during the process. I ensured respect through allowing volunteers to contribute in answering questions and explaining concepts. I also treated complex cases individually and not in groups. Secondly, through the use of goals and objective, I was fortunate in the evaluation of the entire teaching process. The goals and objectives addressed the understanding of the community members and their response through adopting hygiene practices and seeking medical services for treatment and screening.

Areas of Improvement

However, despite having a successful practice in educating the community, I noted a couple of areas where I needed to improve. Firstly, I need to use visual and hearing aids to increase the effectiveness of teaching process. While addressing the seniors, visual and hearing aids are vital for making illustrations. Secondly, I need to improve my ability to create a friendlier classroom environment with more fun and interaction. This step may be possible through increasing my level of confidence. Lastly, I also require spending more time to make lesson plans and to go through the materials to be presented. Thus, I will be able to address them to the audience entirely without overly relying on the notes or teaching materials.