Human Experience across the Health-Illness Continuum
Student’s Name
Institution Affiliation
Human Experience across the Health-Illness Continuum
The World Health Organization defines health as “a state of complete physical, mental, and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity” (Swanson et al., 2019). Human health is a broad concept that involves many factors at play. The health-illness continuum, originally conceived by John W. Travis in 1972, is an illustration that creates an association between the human wellness paradigm and treatment paradigm (Swanson et al., 2019). People create different meanings on the concept of health. For some, health is just the absence of illness. Health care providers must care and guide their patients towards a state of wellness; a health-illness continuum is a critical tool that can help them in this process.
It is critical to understand what motivates people to be healthy, strong, and active as they can be. There is no definite answer to this question. What is important is that, whatever the motivating factor, people should Figure 1always harness their motivation and strive to keep moving in the right direction. As illustrated in, the wellness paradigm cuts across the entire continuum, while the treatment paradigm leads patients to a non-illness state, represented as the neutral point (Capponi, 2019). As healthcare providers, we have to help patients discover their inspiration and driving force to put them on the path of wellness. The health-illness continuum is one tool that healthcare providers can use to guide patients in the right direction.
In the modern health care environment, a harmonious continuum of care is essential, and health care providers must ensure better follow-up care and strive toward smooth transitions. Nurses hold a critical position in the delivery of continuum care, aiding patients to view their well-being as a long-term issue that involves their families, caregivers, and other healthcare professionals. The broad perspective of health means that professionals specializing in case management are essential to the healthcare environment because they can connect the dots and formulate effective transitional care plans (Rutherford, 2017).
The health-illness continuum perspective is critical in health care because it includes all the aspects that characterize human health, from wellness-related death to a state of high-level illness. It consists of internal and external variables affecting individual wellness, such as emotional well-being, cultural practices, and perceptions towards health care measures (Mariano, 2017). The continuum also looks at socio-economic factors within a patient environment that contribute to the wellness status. When healthcare providers understand all these concepts, they are better positioned to create transition strategies. Health-illness continuum allows healthcare professionals to look at patient care as more than diagnosis and drug administration, but rather a broad concept that should be approached through interdisciplinary collaboration.
There are various aspects in my life that either compromise or serve to support my well-being. As human beings, we tend to engage in activities, some of which consciously or unconsciously compromise our well-being. Failure to strictly adhere to a healthy diet has been significantly affected by well-being. I am currently overweight, and I fear this is a risk to my health. Being overweight can increase the chances of getting illnesses such as heart disorders, kidney diseases, type 2 diabetes, and high blood pressure. My diet is always made of high cholesterol foods with little inadequate portions of elements such as vitamins that boost immunity. I still consume an excess of other items such as caffeine and sugar that have adversely affected my well-being. Another behavioral trait that is contributing to my overweight status is the lack of physical exercise. Spending too much time on my desk is not working well for me.
There are many factors, both internal and external, that support my well-being. Having healthy relationships is one of the factors I consider to have contributed immensely to my well-being. My family and friends have mainly been supportive, which is critical in maintaining mental and emotional wellness. Having a supportive network of people improves one’s overall well-being. Another factor contributing to my well-being is that I do not smoke and avoid alcoholic beverages. These two habits drive one towards the right of the health-illness spectrum, as shown in Figure 1.
I also have health insurance that allows me to access quality health care. The ability to access quality care is crucial as it provides good countermeasure against any health issues. It also reduces the mental stress that follows when one is ill and unable to access health care. I have always ensured my health insurance is up to date and covers a range of conditions. We all value our health, and the imagination of being ill is traumatizing. What is worse, the thought you will not be able to access quality healthcare.
Besides being overweight and the challenges associated with being overweight, I do not have any other health issues. However, I take the matter with utmost seriousness, and I am working towards restoring my weight to acceptable limits. Looking at my well-being against the health-illness continuum illustrated in Figure 1, I believe I am at the extreme left of the neutral point towards the left. The issue of being overweight is contributing to the progressive worsening state of my health and well-being.
I have various options and resources on my disposal that can help move towards wellness on the health-illness spectrum. One critical thing is strictly adapting to a healthy diet. A healthy diet is essential in managing my weight and critical for my overall wellness. I can also combine enrolling in a fitness center and doing physical exercises on my own. A fitness center will allow me to track my progress. Working under a professional is also essential because they have extensive knowledge and experience managing different conditions.
A health-illness continuum is very critical for health care providers. It provides a broad perspective of the different factors contributing to patient health. Understanding the health-illness continuum enables nurses and other professionals to apply measures that promote the dignity and value of individuals and serve patients in ways that promote wellness. From a personal perspective, understanding the continuum makes one stay on course and focused toward achieving high-level wellness.
References
Capponi, N. (2019). Meaning and Use of the Transitions Concept in Healthcare. i-Manager’s Journal on Nursing, 9(4), 34.
Mariano, C. (2017). Holistic nursing. Clinicians’ and Educators’ Desk Reference on the Integrative Health and Medicine Professions, 169.
Rutherford, M. M. (2017). Enhanced RN role in behavioral health care: an untapped resource. Nursing Economics, 35(2), 88-95.
Swanson, C., Thompson, A., Valentz, R., Doerner, L., & Jezek, K. (2019). Theory of Nursing for the Whole Person: A distinctly scriptural framework. Journal of Christian Nursing, 36(4), 222-227.
Appendix A
Illness-Wellness Continuum
Figure 1 Source: Google.com