Concept of Health

Biomedical Concept:
• Based on the “germ theory of the disease”.
• Health means “absence of disease”.
• The human body is a machine and disease is an outcome of the breakdown of
the machine.
• Developments led to the conclusion that the biomedical concept of health was
inadequate.
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Ecological Concept
• Health is a dynamic equilibrium between man and his environment.
• Disease is a maladjustment of the human organism to environment.
Psychosocial Concept
• Health is also influenced by social, psychological, cultural, economic and
political factors of the people concerned.
• These factors must be taken into consideration in defining and measuring health.
Holistic Concept
• Holistic model is a synthesis of all the above concepts.
• Health is multidimensional process involving the wellbeing of the person as a
whole.
 ● World Health Organization, 1947 “State of complete physical,
mental, and social well-being, not merely the absence of disease or
infirmity”.

● Dorothea Orem “Health and healthy are terms used to describe

living things when they are structurally and functionally whole or

Definition of Health Loading…

sound

● Virginia Henderson Nursing as unique function to assist the

individual, sick or well, in the performance of those activities
contributing to health or its recovery (or to peaceful death) unaided
if he had the necessary strength will or knowledge”.

• Hildegard Peplau “Nursing is therapeutic interpersonal process

which functions in coordination with human process of individuals
in community.”
MASLOW’S HIERARCHY OF NEEDS
HEALTH- ILLNESS CONTINUUM
• The health–illness continuum is one way to conceptualize a person’s level
of health. This model views health as a constantly changing state, with
high-level wellness and death at opposite ends (ranging from extremely
good health to death).

• This continuum illustrates the ever-changing state of health as a person

adapts to changes in internal and external environments to maintain a
state of well-being.
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• Composed of two arrows pointing in opposite direction and joined at a neutral
point. Movement to the right arrow (toward the wellness) has increasing level
of health and well-being. Movement to the left arrows (towards premature
death) equates a progressively decreasing state of health.
• Achieved in three steps
Movement towards right arrow
Achieved in three steps:

• Awareness: Person should be aware towards his health status and doesn’t neglect
any warning signs of illness e.g., indulgence in physical exercise to prevent any
disease or identifying signs of obesity and then starting the physical workout.

• Education: Person should be educated about the general health issues of day to
day life.

• Growth: It includes overall aspect for growth of individual such as intellectual,

mental, physical and spiritual.
 Movements towards left arrow

Achieved in three steps:

• Signs: They are objective in nature which can ruled out only by physician or
other health care worker.

• Symptoms: They are subjective signs which means patient can see or feel them
but other person cannot measure or quantify it, for example back pain or fatigue.

• Disability: It is the condition of the body or mind impairment that makes it more
difficult for the person with the condition to do certain activities (activity
ILLNESS
• An illness is the response of a person to a disease; it is a process in which the
person’s level of functioning is changed when compared with the previous
level. Illness is not synonymous with diseases.
 Type of Illness

• Acute illness: An acute illness usually has a rapid onset of symptoms and lasts only a
relatively short time. Although some acute illnesses are life threatening, simple acute
illnesses, such as common cold or diarrhea, do not usually require medical treatment.

• Chronic Illness: Chronic illness the one which persists, usually longer than 6 months. It is a
broad term that encompasses a number of different physical and mental alterations in health,
each having one or more of the following characteristics:
 ILLNESS BEHAVIOR
• Stage 1: Experiencing Symptoms (Fig. 4)

The first indication of an illness is recognizing one or more symptoms that are incompatible with one’s personal definition of
health.

• Stage 2: Assuming the Sick Role (Fig. 5)

The individual now self-defines as being sick, seeks validation of this experience from others, gives up normal activities, and
assumes a “sick role.”

• Stage 3: Assuming Dependent Role (Fig. 6)

• This stage is characterized by the patient’s decision to accept the diagnosis and follow the prescribed treatment plan.

• Stage 4: Achieving Recovery and Rehabilitation

• Recovery and rehabilitation might begin in the hospital and conclude at home or may be totally concluded at a rehabilitation
center or at home.
Causes and Risk Factors for Developing Illness
• A risk factor is any situation or habit that affects social, environmental,
physiological or psychological conditions.

• Risk factors are the factors or reasons that increase the probability to
contract a disease or infection. Risk factors are also refereed as
predisposing factor.
IMPACT OF ILLNESS ON PATIENT AND
FAMILY
• Impact on behavior

Individual reacts differently to illness or threat of illness. An individual’s

behavioral and emotional response is influenced by duration and nature of illness.
Short term illness leads to behavioral changes.

• Impact on body image

Illness may result in the loss of body part or change in physical appearance.
Every individual responds to the changes differently.
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• Impact on family roles

Every individual has varied roles and responsibilities to play. These roles and
responsibilities change with illness.
•