Examine the Health-Illness Continuum and Discuss Why this Perspective is Important to Consider in Relation to Health and the Human Experience When Caring for Patients
Examine the Health-Illness Continuum and Discuss Why this Perspective is Important to Consider in Relation to Health and the Human Experience When Caring for Patients
Examine the Health-Illness Continuum and Discuss Why this Perspective is Important to Consider in Relation to Health and the Human Experience When Caring for Patients
The World Health Organization describes health as a state of complete physical, mental, and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease. Health is determined by factors such as environment, education, genetics, and interpersonal relationships (GCU, 2018). This paper seeks to discuss the health-illness continuum and its relevance to patient care and describe a perspective of my current state of health with respect to the wellness spectrum.
Health-Illness Importance to Health and Patient Care
The Health-Illness Continuum, proposed by Ryan and Travis, illustrates health and illness along a continuum. The continuum is a diagrammatic representation with high-level health and wellness at the extreme right and high levels of illness and poor health and premature death at the extreme left (Ali et al., 2018). The middle of the continuum is regarded as the neutral zone since there is neither health nor illness. High levels of wellness are achieved through three steps, which are awareness, education, and growth (Ali et al., 2018). Signs, symptoms, and disability manifest in the left direction that leads to premature death.
Nurses must consider the health-illness continuum when caring for patients to enable them to move along the continuum towards high health levels. For instance, when they understand that health is achieved when a patient is effectively managed, the nurse will strive to provide quality, comprehensive care (GCU, 2018). Besides, when nurses understand that poor health is caused by trauma and infections, they take interventions to promote patient safety (Svalastog et al., 2017). According to the continuum, persons moving towards high-level wellness are usually optimistic and have a positive view regardless of their existing health condition (Ali et al., 2018). On the other hand, persons in the left direction towards premature death are generally pessimistic and have negative perceptions of their health condition.
Relation of Human-Illness Continuum to Value, Dignity, and Promotion of Human Flourishing
The health-illness continuum enables me as a nurse to promote the value and dignity of people and groups and to serve individuals in a manner that promotes human flourishing. The continuum has made me understand that an individual passes through various states of health and illness. These states range from good health and usually fluctuate to disability and death across the human lifespan (Svalastog et al., 2017). I have learned that health is a recurring change process, and individuals must constantly adapt to these changes to maintain good health and general well-being.
As a health provider, I will apply knowledge from the health-illness continuum to help individuals positively respond and adapt to changes in their health and well-being. For instance, I can help a patient diagnosed with a chronic disease function effectively by training them on the appropriate adaptation strategies and enabling them to flourish (Taylor, Lynn & Bartlett, 2018). High wellness levels can only be achieved when a patient’s mental and emotional aspects are incorporated into the treatment plan. Consequently, all health aspects must be included through holistic care to promote their general well-being (Taylor et al., 2018). I can uphold individuals’ values and dignity by supporting them psychologically, emotionally, and socially. Furthermore, the health education and promotion I provide to individuals, and the community should aim at empowering them to make informed health decisions and support them to flourish.
Reflection on Personal State of Health and the Health Illness Continuum
I would describe my state of health as unremarkable and moving towards the right side of the health-illness continuum. I have no physical or psychological symptoms and no history of a chronic illness. My BMI is currently at 22.8, which is within the normal weight range. There is a family history of chronic illnesses such as diabetes, hypertension, and colorectal cancer, which puts me at risk of developing similar conditions. Personal behaviors that support good health and well-being include taking three balanced meals a day with a variety of fruits and taking lots of water, more than the recommended eight glasses a day.
I attend annual health checkups and take advantage of free community screenings to have my blood pressure and blood sugar screened. I also ensure I have adequate rest with at least 6 hours of sleep a day and attend Yoga classes for my mental health. These personal behaviors make me move towards a high level of health and wellness on the right side of the continuum. Nevertheless, some behaviors detract me from achieving a high level of health, including lack of adequate physical exercises. My physical exercises entail mostly walking and swimming on weekends. I feel that these are not adequate exercises, and I need to increase the intensity and duration. Besides, I take alcohol about 3-4 beers about four days a week, which could put me at risk of hyperlipidemia, diabetes, and cardiovascular diseases. Lack of adequate exercise and alcohol consumption detracts me from reaching high levels of health.
Resources Supporting Wellness
Resources that would significantly help me move toward wellness on the health-illness continuum include GCU’s Health and Wellness clinic. The GCU clinic provides top-notch healthcare services to its students and staff, including wellness promotion, TB skin tests, weight management, health education, and smoking cessation. Clients benefit from various wellness clinic services, including physical exams, treatment of illnesses, and holistic and individualized care. Therefore, I can benefit from the GCU wellness clinic services by having routine physical exams and screening services. I can also seek counseling on cessation of alcohol, maintaining a healthy weight, and preventing chronic illnesses. Lastly, I can use the GCU library to access health articles on the prevention of diseases and achieving higher levels of health.
Conclusion
The health-illness continuum is a diagrammatic representation representing a high level of health and wellness on the right and poor health and premature death on the left. The continuum is important in patient care since health providers can understand that people move along the continuum from poor health toward health when they are successfully treated. On the other hand, they move along the continuum from good to poor health due to factors such as infection or trauma. The continuum can be used to promote human value, dignity, and flourishing by promoting the mental and social well-being of individuals and providing health education that empowers them to make informed health decisions.
References
Ali, T., Hussain, M., Afzal, M., Khan, W. A., Hur, T., Amin, M. B., Kim, D., Kang, B. H., & Lee, S. (2018). Clinically harmonized wellness concepts model for health and wellness services. IEEE Access, 6, 26660-26674. https://doi.org/10.1109/ACCESS.2018.2834391
Grand Canyon University (Ed). (2018). Health assessment: Foundations for effective practice. Retrieved from https://lc.gcumedia.com/nrs434vn/health-assessment-foundations-for-effective-practice/v1.1/
Svalastog, A. L., Donev, D., Jahren Kristoffersen, N., & Gajović, S. (2017). Concepts and definitions of health and health-related values in the knowledge landscapes of the digital society. Croatian medical journal, 58(6), 431–435. https://doi.org/10.3325/cmj.2017.58.431
Taylor, C., Lynn, P., & Bartlett, J. (2018). Fundamentals of Nursing: The Art and Science of Person-Centered Care. Lippincott Williams & Wilkins.
Research the health-illness continuum and its relevance to patient care. In a 750-1,000 word paper, discuss the relevance of the continuum to patient care and present a perspective of your current state of health in relation to the wellness spectrum. Include the following:
Examine the health-illness continuum and discuss why this perspective is important to consider in relation to health and the human experience when caring for patients.
Explain how understanding the health-illness continuum enables you, as a health care provider, to better promote the value and dignity of individuals or groups and to serve others in ways that promote human flourishing.
Reflect on your overall state of health. Discuss what behaviors support or detract from your health and well-being. Explain where you currently fall on the health-illness continuum.
Discuss the options and resources available to you to help you move toward wellness on the health-illness spectrum. Describe how these would assist in moving you toward wellness (managing a chronic disease, recovering from an illness, self-actualization, etc.).
You are required to cite a minimum of three peer-reviewed sources to complete this assignment. Sources must be published within the last 5 years, appropriate for the assignment criteria, and relevant to nursing practice.
Prepare this assignment according to the guidelines found in the APA Style Guide, located in the Student Success Center. An abstract is not required.
This assignment uses a rubric. Please review the rubric prior to beginning the assignment to become familiar with the expectations for successful completion.
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Benchmark Information
This benchmark assesses the following competency:
RN-BSN
5.1. Understand the human experience across the health-illness continuum.
Attachments
NRS-434VN
-R-IndividualHealthHistoryandExaminationAssignment-Student.docxNRS-434VN-R-Functional-Health-Pattern-A
Benchmark – Human Experience Across the Health-Illness Continuum – Rubric
Collapse All Benchmark – Human Experience Across The Health-Illness Continuum – RubricCollapse All
Health-Illness Importance to Health and Patient Care (C5.1)
20 points
Criteria Description
Health-Illness Importance to Health and Patient Care (C5.1)
5. Excellent
20 points
A discussion on the importance of the health-illness continuum in relation to health and the human experience in patient care is presented. The discussion demonstrates that the health-illness continuum is important to patient care. Strong rationale is offered for support.
4. Good
17.8 points
A discussion on the importance of the health-illness in relation to health and the human experience in patient care is presented. The discussion demonstrates that the health-illness continuum is important to patient care. Some rationale is needed for clarity.
3. Satisfactory
15.8 points
A general discussion on the importance of the health-illness in relation to health and the human experience in patient care is presented. The discussion generally establishes that the health-illness continuum is important to patient care. There are some inaccuracies. More information or rationale is needed.
2. Less than Satisfactory
15 points
A partial summary on the importance of the health-illness continuum is presented. The summary does not fully include the relation of the continuum to health and the human experience in patient care. There are significant inaccuracies. More evidence or information is needed.
1. Unsatisfactory
0 points
A discussion on the importance of the health-illness continuum is not presented.
Relation of Human-Illness Continuum to Value, Dignity, and Promotion of Human Flourishing
20 points
Criteria Description
Relation of Human-Illness Continuum to Value, Dignity, and Promotion of Human Flourishing
5. Excellent
20 points
A thorough explanation of the relationship between the health-illness continuum and the ability of a health care provider to promote the value, dignity, and flourishing of patients is logically and convincingly presented. The explanation draws clear connections between the role of the health care provider and the promotion of human flourishing. Strong rationale is offered for support.
4. Good
17.8 points
An explanation of the relationship between the health-illness continuum and the ability of a health care provider to promote the value, dignity, and flourishing of patients is presented. The explanation demonstrates that the health care provider does play a role in promoting human flourishing, but some additional rationale is needed for clarity.
3. Satisfactory
15.8 points
A general explanation of the relationship between the health-illness continuum and the ability of a health care provider to promote the value, dignity, and flourishing of patients is presented. There are some inaccuracies, and more information or rationale is needed to support the response.
2. Less than Satisfactory
15 points
A partial explanation of the relationship between the health-illness continuum and the ability of a health care provider to promote the value, dignity, and flourishing of patients is presented, but the connection is tenuous and key elements are omitted, incomplete, or left unexplained.
1. Unsatisfactory
0 points
An explanation of the relationship between the health-illness continuum and the ability of a health care provider to promote the value, dignity, and flourishing of patients is not presented.
Refection on Personal State of Health and the Health Illness Continuum
20 points
Criteria Description
Refection on Personal State of Health and the Health Illness Continuum
5. Excellent
20 points
A well-developed discussion of personal state of health is included. The discussion demonstrates strong personal insight into behaviors supporting or detracting from health and well-being. The author clearly establishes where personal health falls on the health-illness continuum.
4. Good
17.8 points
A discussion of personal state of health is included. The discussion demonstrates personal insight into overall behaviors supporting or detracting from health and well-being. The author establishes where personal health falls on the health-illness continuum.
3. Satisfactory
15.8 points
A general discussion of personal overall state of health is included. Overall the discussion demonstrates some insight into some behaviors supporting or detracting from health and well-being. The author does not clearly establish where personal health falls on the health-illness continuum.
2. Less than Satisfactory
15 points
A partial summary of personal overall state of health is included. The summary is not informative. Behaviors supporting or detracting from health and well-being are omitted or incomplete.
1. Unsatisfactory
0 points
Reflection on personal overall state of health is omitted.
Resources Supporting Wellness
20 points
Criteria Description
Resources Supporting Wellness
5. Excellent
20 points
Options and resources available that would be extremely helpful to help the author move toward wellness on the health-illness continuum are presented. The author clearly establishes how these will assist in moving toward wellness. Insight into wellness as it pertains to the health illness continuum is demonstrated.
4. Good
17.8 points
Options and resources available that would reasonably help the author move toward wellness on the health-illness continuum are presented. The author establishes how these resources will assist in moving toward wellness.
3. Satisfactory
15.8 points
General options and resources available that would help the author move toward wellness on the health-illness continuum are presented. More information is needed to establish how this will assist in moving the author toward wellness.
2. Less than Satisfactory
15 points
Partial options and resources available that would help the author move toward wellness on the health-illness continuum are presented. It is unclear how this will assist in moving the author toward wellness.
1. Unsatisfactory
0 points
Options and resources available to help the author move toward wellness on the health-illness continuum are omitted.
Thesis Development and Purpose
5 points
Criteria Description
Thesis Development and Purpose
5. Excellent
5 points
Thesis is comprehensive and contains the essence of the paper. Thesis statement makes the purpose of the paper clear.
4. Good
4.45 points
Thesis is clear and forecasts the development of the paper. Thesis is descriptive and reflective of the arguments and appropriate to the purpose.
3. Satisfactory
3.95 points
Thesis is apparent and appropriate to purpose.
2. Less than Satisfactory
3.75 points
Thesis is insufficiently developed or vague. Purpose is not clear.
1. Unsatisfactory
0 points
Paper lacks any discernible overall purpose or organizing claim.
Argument Logic and Construction
5 points
Criteria Description
Argument Logic and Construction
5. Excellent
5 points
Clear and convincing argument that presents a persuasive claim in a distinctive and compelling manner. All sources are authoritative.
4. Good
4.45 points
Argument shows logical progressions. Techniques of argumentation are evident. There is a smooth progression of claims from introduction to conclusion. Most sources are authoritative.
3. Satisfactory
3.95 points
Argument is orderly but may have a few inconsistencies. The argument presents minimal justification of claims. Argument logically, but not thoroughly, supports the purpose. Sources used are credible. Introduction and conclusion bracket the thesis.
2. Less than Satisfactory
3.75 points
Sufficient justification of claims is lacking. Argument lacks consistent unity. There are obvious flaws in the logic. Some sources have questionable credibility.
1. Unsatisfactory
0 points
Statement of purpose is not justified by the conclusion. The conclusion does not support the claim made. Argument is incoherent and uses noncredible sources.
Mechanics of Writing (includes spelling, punctuation, grammar, language use)
5 points
Criteria Description
Mechanics of Writing (includes spelling, punctuation, grammar, language use)
5. Excellent
5 points
Writer is clearly in command of standard, written, academic English.
4. Good
4.45 points
Prose is largely free of mechanical errors, although a few may be present. A variety of sentence structures and effective figures of speech are used.
3. Satisfactory
3.95 points
Some mechanical errors or typos are present, but they are not overly distracting to the reader. Correct sentence structure and audience-appropriate language are used.
2. Less than Satisfactory
3.75 points
Frequent and repetitive mechanical errors distract the reader. Inconsistencies in language choice (register), sentence structure, or word choice are present.
1. Unsatisfactory
0 points
Surface errors are pervasive enough that they impede communication of meaning. Inappropriate word choice or sentence construction is used.
Paper Format (use of appropriate style for the major and assignment)
2 points
Criteria Description
Paper Format (use of appropriate style for the major and assignment)
5. Excellent
2 points
All format elements are correct.
4. Good
1.78 points
Template is fully used; There are virtually no errors in formatting style.
3. Satisfactory
1.58 points
Template is used, and formatting is correct, although some minor errors may be present.
2. Less than Satisfactory
1.5 points
Template is used, but some elements are missing or mistaken; lack of control with formatting is apparent.
1. Unsatisfactory
0 points
Template is not used appropriately, or documentation format is rarely followed correctly.
Documentation of Sources
3 points
Criteria Description
Documentation of Sources (citations, footnotes, references, bibliography, etc., as appropriate to assignment and style)
5. Excellent
3 points
Sources are completely and correctly documented, as appropriate to assignment and style, and format is free of error.
4. Good
2.67 points
Sources are documented, as appropriate to assignment and style, and format is mostly correct.
3. Satisfactory
2.37 points
Sources are documented, as appropriate to assignment and style, although some formatting errors may be present.
2. Less than Satisfactory
2.25 points
Documentation of sources is inconsistent or incorrect, as appropriate to assignment and style, with numerous formatting errors.
1. Unsatisfactory
0 points
Sources are not documented.
Total 100 points
