Human Experience Across The Health-Illness Continuum
Human Experience Across The Health-Illness Continuum
Benchmark – Human Experience Across the Health-Illness Continuum
Understanding changes in health and illness over time is fundamental to establishing and assessing healthcare interventions for individuals, families, and communities. Health is a product of various factors that operate in embedded biological, genetic, behavioral, cultural, social, environmental, economic, and political contexts that vary as an individual move across the lifespan (Svalastog et al., 2018). Individuals experience health as changes over time. The purpose of this paper is to explore the health-illness continuum and its significance in patient care and describe my current health state with regard to the wellness spectrum.
The Health-Illness Continuum
The health-illness continuum is a graphical illustration of a concept proposed by John Travis in 1972. The continuum demonstrates the process of change wherein people go through various health and illness states ranging from excellent health, which fluctuate throughout one’s life, to death (Ali et al., 2018). Travis explained that individuals move back and forth within the continuum day by day. The graphical illustration of the continuum has two arrows pointing in opposite directions and connected at a neutral point. The right arrow moves toward a high level of wellness and equates to an increasing level of health and wellbeing. A high level of wellness is attained in three stages: Awareness, Education, and Growth (Ali et al., 2018). On the other hand, the left arrow moves towards premature death and equates to a gradually declining state of health. Premature death is attained in three stages: Signs, Symptoms, and Disability.
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It is important to consider the health-illness continuum in patient care by first understanding the direction a patient is facing on the continuum. The nurse should be aware that a patient heading towards a high level of health and wellness has a positive attitude regardless of their health status (Swan et al., 2019). On the other hand, a patient moving towards premature death has a negative attitude about their health status. Thus the nurse should consider interventions necessary to help move the patient in the left direction towards the positive direction (Swan et al., 2019). In addition, the nurse can identify interventions that will help the client in the right direction to improve their health status further.
Relation of Human-Illness Continuum to Value, Dignity, and Promotion of Human Flourishing
The health-illness continuum has helped me understand that individuals need awareness, education, and growth to attain the desired high level of wellness. I have also realized that medication and physical treatment only moves patients’ health to a neutral point with no evident signs of illness. However, after getting to the neutral point, the choice to move to the left or right direction depends on an individual’s actions to move to optimum health (Koskinen, 2020). Besides, I have learned that peoples’ attitude towards health affects their overall health and wellbeing. Consequently, when interacting with patients, I endeavor to promote a positive attitude in them so that they can move toward achieving good health. When conducting patient assessment, I evaluate a patient’s position at continuum (Koskinen, 2020). I also examine the risk factors causing a decline in the patient’s health and help them avoid premature death by creating awareness and providing education, which promotes human flourishing.
Reflection on Personal State of Health and the Health Illness Continuum
I am in overall good health based on the absence of chronic diseases, recurrent infections, or disability. Behaviors that support my health include healthy eating habits, engaging in regular physical exercise, and maintaining high personal and environmental hygiene levels. The healthy diet and regular exercises are inspired by the wish to maintain a healthy weight and prevent NCDs. However, I observed that I have poor health-seeking behaviors, which might detract me from achieving the desired high level of health and wellness. For instance, I hardly attend annual well check-ups despite my insurance covering for such services. Besides, I do not adhere to the immunization schedule and have not had a flu shot in the past three years. I am also reluctant to take the COVID-19 vaccine, and I have never received the second dose, although the vaccine is readily available. I currently fall on the right side of the continuum.
Available Options and Resources
Resources available to help me move towards a high level of wellness include health clubs, health education materials from organizations’ websites, and community wellness centers. The health clubs will offer facilities to help me improve my fitness levels and maintain a healthy weight. Health education materials are important in creating awareness and educating me on approaches to take towards higher levels of wellness (Svalastog et al., 2018). Lastly, community wellness centers offer access to wellness check-ups and receive health education about improving my overall health.
Conclusion
Health can be defined in the context of a continuum, which implies something that changes progressively without any clear points. The health-illness continuum is a visual illustration of an individual’s wellness, which moves either toward a high level of wellness or premature death. Health providers should understand that for patients to achieve a high level of wellness; they need to go through stages of awareness, education, and growth. Nurses can use the continuum in disease prevention and health promotion by first identifying a person’s position on the continuum and identifying interventions to help them move towards a high level of wellness.
References
Ali, T., Hussain, M., Afzal, M., Khan, W. A., Hur, T., Amin, M. B., … & Lee, S. (2018). Clinically harmonized wellness concepts model for health and wellness services. IEEE Access, 6, 26660-26674.
Koskinen, V. (2020). Building skills for lifelong wellness: An empirical study on the wellness-oriented lifestyle. JYU dissertations.
Svalastog, A. L., Donev, D., Jahren Kristoffersen, N., & Gajović, S. (2018). 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
Swan, B. A., Haas, S., & Jessie, A. T. (2019). Care coordination: roles of registered nurses across the care continuum. Nursing Economics, 37(6), 317-323.
Hello Robin, great job on your post. You really opended my eyes with your post. I feel like you went in a different direction than most of us did with your post. In your post you mentioned the dying proceess. Sometimes, the things that occur durig this process is too much for family members or programs to handle. So, being admitted to the hospital is where patient can feel the most comfortable in such a short amount of time. Unfortunately, it is common for family members to argue during times like these about what is best for the patient. As a nurse, a healthcare provider, it is vital that we advocate for the patient and stand by the patient and do what the patient wishes despite of what family members are saying. It is a nurse’s responsibility to advocate adn support the patient despite the situation and what others may believe or say.
Benchmark – Human Experience Across the Health-Illness Continuum
View RubricDue Date: Apr 07, 2019 23:59:59 Max Points: 100
Details:
The benchmark assesses the following competency:
Benchmark: 5.1. Understand the human experience across the health-illness continuum.
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.
- 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.).
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.
You are required to submit this assignment to LopesWrite. Refer to the LopesWrite Technical Support articles for assistance.
Benchmark – Human Experience Across the Health-Illness Continuum
1
Unsatisfactory
0.00%
2
Less than Satisfactory
75.00%
3
Satisfactory
79.00%
4
Good
89.00%
5
Excellent
100.00%
80.0 %Content
30.0 %Health-Illness Importance to Health and Patient Care (Benchmarked: 5.1. Understand the human experience across the health-illness continuum.)
A discussion on the importance of the health-illness continuum is not presented.
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.
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.
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.
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.
30.0 %Refection on Personal State of Health and the Health Illness Continuum
Reflection on personal overall state of health is omitted.
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.
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.
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.
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.
20.0 %Resources Supporting Wellness
Options and resources available to help the author move toward wellness on the health-illness continuum are omitted.
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.
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.
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.
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.
15.0 %Organization and Effectiveness
5.0 %Thesis Development and Purpose
Paper lacks any discernible overall purpose or organizing claim.
Thesis is insufficiently developed or vague. Purpose is not clear.
Thesis is apparent and appropriate to purpose.
Thesis is clear and forecasts the development of the paper. Thesis is descriptive and reflective of the arguments and appropriate to the purpose.
Thesis is comprehensive and contains the essence of the paper. Thesis statement makes the purpose of the paper clear.
15.0 %Organization and Effectiveness
5.0 %Argument Logic and Construction
Statement of purpose is not justified by the conclusion. The conclusion does not support the claim made. Argument is incoherent and uses noncredible sources.
Sufficient justification of claims is lacking. Argument lacks consistent unity. There are obvious flaws in the logic. Some sources have questionable credibility.
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.
Argument shows logical progressions. Techniques of argumentation are evident. There is a smooth progression of claims from introduction to conclusion. Most sources are authoritative.
Clear and convincing argument that presents a persuasive claim in a distinctive and compelling manner. All sources are authoritative.
15.0 %Organization and Effectiveness
5.0 %Mechanics of Writing (includes spelling, punctuation, grammar, language use)
Surface errors are pervasive enough that they impede communication of meaning. Inappropriate word choice or sentence construction is used.
Frequent and repetitive mechanical errors distract the reader. Inconsistencies in language choice (register), sentence structure, or word choice are present.
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.
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.
Writer is clearly in command of standard, written, academic English.
5.0 %Format
2.0 %Paper Format (use of appropriate style for the major and assignment)
Template is not used appropriately or documentation format is rarely followed correctly.
Template is used, but some elements are missing or mistaken; lack of control with formatting is apparent.
Template is used, and formatting is correct, although some minor errors may be present.
Template is fully used; There are virtually no errors in formatting style.
All format elements are correct.
3.0 %Documentation of Sources (citations, footnotes, references, bibliography, etc., as appropriate to assignment and style)
Sources are not documented.
Documentation of sources is inconsistent or incorrect, as appropriate to assignment and style, with numerous formatting errors.
Sources are documented, as appropriate to assignment and style, although some formatting errors may be present.
Sources are documented, as appropriate to assignment and style, and format is mostly correct.
Sources are completely and correctly documented, as appropriate to assignment and style, and format is free of error.
100 %Total Weightage
it is true that aging is associated with changes in dynamic biological, physiological, environmental, psychological, behavioral, and social processes. Unfortunately, older population is exposed to various health complications due to the age (Kojima et al., 2019). Besides, various biological, psychological, behavioral, and emotional processes in human bodies of older people increase their vulnerability to multiple health problems. Besides, older adults struggle to conduct their daily routines. As a result, these individuals rely on family members, friends, communities, and caregivers. Many changes that take place through the aging process dictate that older people should have reliable healthcare services (Cristea et al., 2020). Therefore, households and government use significant part of their budgets to take care of the older population that is prone to health problems such as dementia and other related cognitive impairment conditions. Treating geriatric patients demands healthcare professionals to consider various factors such as the issue of polypharmacy. Geriatric patients are also exposed to social isolation and loneliness.
References
Cristea, M., Noja, G. G., Stefea, P., & Sala, A. L. (2020). The impact of population aging and public health support on EU labor markets. International journal of environmental research and public health, 17(4), 1439. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph17041439
Kojima, G., Liljas, A. E., & Iliffe, S. (2019). Frailty syndrome: implications and challenges for health care policy. Risk management and healthcare policy, 23-30.
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