Case study on Vulnerability and Marginalized Populations

How should public health professionals interact with families undergoing health crises?

How should public health professionals interact with the media in high profile cases?
How can understanding the experience of Louise Troh and her family help me become a better public health professional?

This week, instead of discussing a case study from your book, we are going to consider the experience of Louise Troh and her family. The goal is for you to work on your intellectual empathy give consideration to how you will interact with individuals who are vulnerable. Be sure to view the video news clips posted in this module for a sampling of the media coverage during the 2014 Ebola incident in Dallas.
Phase 1: Analyze Louise Troh’s experience
In the first part of your discussion board, you will address several questions about the Louise Troh’s memoir My Spirit Took You In: The Romance that Sparked an Epidemic of Fear. Id like for each member of the team to choose one question to address.  Let your team know early in the week which question you will be answering.
1.  What characteristics of this family indicate that they are members of a vulnerable population?
 2.  What stood out to you in Louises descriptions of Liberian culture?
 3.  What stood out to you in Louises description of her experience as an immigrant adapting to a new culture?
 4.  How did Louises employment and experience as a certified nurses aide impact her response to Mr. Duncans illness and hospitalization? Do you think she acted appropriately? Why or why not?
5.  Describe the role of the individual public health professionals who interacted with this family. In what ways did they do a good job? What could they have done better?
6.  Describe the response of the community (neighbors, church members, members of the Liberian community) to Mr. Duncans diagnosis of Ebola. Which responses were helpful?  Which responses were harmful? What could the community have done better?
7.  Describe the response of the media. Was it appropriate, helpful, or harmful? Why? How did the media reports impact the public?
Phase 2: How will this case impact your practice as a public health professional?
In the second part of your discussion board, use your analysis to reflect on how you will practice as a public health professional. Respond to these prompts. Each member of the team should respond to all four questions:
1.  Now that you have discussed the details of the case, engage your intellectual empathy.  Which member of the surviving family did you identify with the most? Imagine that you are that person.  Really take a few minutes to imagine what it would be like to be quarantined, how it would affect your work and personal life, what your grief would be like, and what it would be like to be treated with fear and bias by others. 
2.  Consider the experience of Kaci Hickox, RN and Public Health Professional. Do you think she responded appropriately to the call for mandatory quarantine? Why or why not?
3.  Based on these reflections, how will you as a public health professional interact with members of a vulnerable population?
4.  Based on these reflections, what ethical obligations do you have as public health professionals when communicating with members of the media about public health crises?