Social Support

Social support references the emotional and practical help individuals receive from others in their network. This includes but is not limited to friends, family, peers, and even larger community networks. Unlike the typical biomedical perspective, which involves emphasis on physical symptoms and disease recovery, the social support model recognizes the importance of human connection and empathy in the context of well-being. Social support refers to a relational form of care that allows others to feel seen and understood. The model serves as a reinforcement that mental well-being is as helpful as any other form of clinical intervention.

Through this project, a variety of themes relating to social support systems will be discussed. One focus will be the neurodevelopmental aspects of healthcare. The home a child is raised in, their health habits, and how they view well-being shape their lives as adults. Cultural backgrounds and family dynamics influence the healthcare children receive and their interactions with doctors. The limited access to healthcare in communities is a concern, with rural areas having fewer options and less funding for their medical institutions. Families and friends often supplement this lack of support from hospitals and practices by acting as informal caregivers. While familial networks are essential, strong institutional patient support is significant to health outcomes. Patients want stability with consistent medical providers who will get to know them and address their needs. Building connections with patients forms a relationship of trust, leading to open communication and better overall patient satisfaction. As the world continues to rely more on technology, it plays a vital role in making healthcare effective and efficient. Using technology as a tool to facilitate social support can improve patient care by allowing for more intentional, personalized treatment.

In conclusion, social support systems are vital to the recovery and support of a patient. This project will seek to understand the myriad of ways in which communities rely on systems other than the standard healthcare system of hospitals, doctors, nurses, etc. By exploring the effect of neurodevelopmental aspects of healthcare, rural limitations of healthcare, cultural backgrounds, family dynamics, and consistency in patient care, this project will uncover alternative ways in which patients and their support systems develop and aid their patients.