Health illness continuum is a graphical representation of a well-being concept that incorporates the mental and emotional well-being. It shows a progressive decline in health and the movement towards high level of well-being.
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Health illness continuum1 Health illness continuum Authors name Institutional affiliation
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Health illness continuum2 Perspective of Health illness continuum Health illness continuum is a graphical representation of a well-being concept that was proposed by John Travis in 1972. The presentation supports the world health organization definition of health as not just the absence of physical illness (Crowe & Averett, 2015).It also incorporates the mental and emotional well-being. It draws a connection between the treatment paradigm and the wellness paradigm. The middle point is the neutral point. Movement to the left, that is, away from the neutral point is interpreted as to be the towards premature death. It occurs in three sequential steps; signs, symptoms and disability. It shows a progressive decline in health. Movement to the right is interpreted as the movement towards high level of well-being. It is a step beyond the level of absence of an illness. It is achieved through awareness, education and growth (Cooper & Gosnell, 2018). It is a deliberate effort to improve the level of health beyond absence of an illness. It requires a high level of intrinsic motivation from the patient and commitment by the nurses. According toTownsend and Morgan (2017) it presents an optimistic perspective of an individual towards improvement of their health despite their state. This perceptive in health is important to consider as it incorporates the willingness of a patient to promote their well-being. The treatment model is highly dependent on the effort and intervention of the healthcare providers. It just eliminates the illness. The wellness model suggests an initiative beyond the absence of an illness (Schwarzer, Lippke & Luszczynska, 2011). It relies heavily on the motivation anddetermination. A viable example will be where a patient is being managed for hypertension. In the treatment model, the aim of the process is to lower the blood pressure and maintain it within manageable levels. Antihypertensive medication will be the center of the process. The wellness model goes beyond the neutral point where the signs of hypertension do not exist. It involves making the patient aware of their condition
Health illness continuum3 through education and motivating them to take steps to preventing such an occurrence. The growth phase is seen when they decide to take actual steps. In the case of a hypertensive patient, changing their lifestyle, such as avoiding smoking and doing exercise will be the patient’s own initiative. These are step beyond a manageable blood pressure. It concentrates on the prevention rather than waiting for the disease to occur in order to cure it. In a public health perspective, this is the best way to avoid the unnecessary and expensive curative processes (Pandita, Sharma, Pandita, Pawar, Tariq & Kaul, 2016).Healthcare services are very expensive and are known to impoverish patients once the patient is in dire need for them. The patient has an opportunity influence the state of their health. It is the best kind of control that the patient can get. Reflection A reflection into my own life places me at the neutral point. Despite having all the knowledge and education pertaining the wellness illness continuum, I still find it hard to implement the strategies towards high level of wellness. I totally understand that I should always eat healthy and nutritious food and exercise to improve my health and avoid lifestyle diseases. However, in many situations I find myself eating junk foods and not even doing any kind of exercise. I live a sedentary life. However, when I just suspect that am gaining weight I am quick to check on my diet and enroll to an exercise program. It works out well and I lose weight and soon my bad habits creep in again. My motivation to live a healthy lifestyle is the signs of an undesirable body state. I lack the intrinsic motivation and self determination to adopt a healthy lifestyle.
Health illness continuum4 Strategies on improvement To improve my perspective towards my health, the surrounding should be customized to boost my willingness to practice a healthy lifestyle. For instance, the gym is far away from my house, thus I find it hard to visit it frequently. If the facility is brought closer, I would be able to access it immediately after work or before work. I had tried going to the gym but I end up either getting late to go to work or to go home. The restaurant at the work place should at least provide healthy diet not just junks. I should work on promoting individual growth as I already have the awareness and education. Planning my day’s activities and what I will eat will help me manage my state of health and move it towards high level of wellness. Being in a group of people with whom we share our anticipations will also influence my adherence to the plan. Having an instructor will also help increase my self-determination (Izumi & Fromme, 2017). It will help me not wait till when I feel uncomfortable with my appearance but act before this happen. My physical health will be managed. In addition, I will move towards wellness by developing a habit that will maintain my health.
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Health illness continuum5 References. Cooper, K., & Gosnell, K. (2018).Foundations and Adult Health Nursing E-Book. Elsevier Health Sciences. Crowe, A., & Averett, P. (2015). Attitudes of mental health professionals toward mental illness: A deeper understanding.Journal of Mental Health Counseling,37(1), 47-62. Izumi, S., & Fromme, E. K. (2017). A Model to Promote Clinicians' Understanding of the Continuum of Advance Care Planning.Journal of palliative medicine,20(3), 220-221. Pandita, A., Sharma, D., Pandita, D., Pawar, S., Tariq, M., & Kaul, A. (2016). Childhood obesity: prevention is better than cure.Diabetes, metabolic syndrome and obesity: targets and therapy,9, 83. Schwarzer, R., Lippke, S., & Luszczynska, A. (2011). Mechanisms of health behavior change in persons with chronic illness or disability: the Health Action Process Approach (HAPA).Rehabilitation psychology,56(3), 161. Townsend, M. C., & Morgan, K. I. (2017).Psychiatric mental health nursing: Concepts of care in evidence-based practice. FA Davis.