Human beings’ state of health is a dynamic concept, often in a constant cycle of illness and returning to health. The health-illness continuum, as proposed by Travis John, is a graphical representation of the continuous process of an individual’s wellness, good health, illness, and death (Kishan, 2020). With the guidance of a healthcare professional, individuals can utilize this spectrum to gauge their health status and determine behaviors or resources that promote wellness and prevent ailments. This spectrum emphasizes attaining optimal wellness and well-being rather than the physical aspect of health or the absence of illness only (Brookside Press, n.d.). Healthcare providers should develop an in-depth awareness and understanding of its concepts to enhance the value and dignity of individuals or groups when providing patient care. Hence, the health-illness continuum is relevant in enriching the health and human experiences of patients or communities and offers a perspective on an individual’s overall state of health with strategies to enhance wellness for optimal functioning.
Importance of the Health-Illness Continuum to Patient Care
This spectrum offers a powerful framework for gauging and improving patients’ health and general human experiences. The continuum describes health and illness with a high level of wellness and sickness or poor health on different ends of the spectrum. Based on this framework, illness refers to the emotional state of an individual’s diminishing physical, spiritual, emotional, intellectual, or social functioning. On the other hand, wellness is the state of optimal health and functioning in the body, mind, and spirit, which enriches an individual’s full life and community (Brookside Press, n.d.). When providing care to patients, the continuum guides healthcare providers in determining or evaluating the state of health of their clients and their position in the framework. Based on this evaluation, the care provider decides and develops an effective healthcare plan that addresses an individual’s physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual health aspects for wellness. Medication and treatment can only move patients to a neutral point, after which the individual and their care provider are responsible for moving them to optimum health and wellness. The “wellness” concept is crucial and relevant when caring for patients since it transcends the neutral point of alleviating disease symptoms using appropriate treatment regimens, including pharmacotherapy (Kishan, 2020). The health-illness model works in harmony with the treatment paradigm when caring for sick patients to help them move toward high-level wellness. It is also worth noting that a positive perspective goes a long way in influencing the health and well-being of individuals and the human experiences associated with caring for patients.
Importance of Understanding the Continuum for Health Care Providers
Nurses are uniquely positioned to understand and integrate the health-illness spectrum in their practice to improve individual or group health and maintain their values and dignity. Through their knowledge and expertise, healthcare providers can adopt a holistic approach when caring for individuals, their families, and communities, maintaining and restoring optimal health and wellness. Similarly, since this framework goes beyond just treating illnesses, thus by understanding and accepting them, nurses will not only focus on the physical aspect, but the mental, spiritual, psychological, and cultural health, thus promoting human flourishing (Kishan, 2020). This continuum also helps healthcare providers perceive the individual as multi-dimensional, with unique needs and spiritual or cultural values hence preparing a care plan that maintains and enhances the patient’s values and dignity. Healthcare providers who understand this framework can offer education and raise awareness to help patients understand the importance of taking good care of their health to minimize risks of illnesses or complications and offer an essential pathway toward human flourishing. Furthermore, an individual’s ability and capacity to adapt or respond to life changes facilitates and impacts proper health and well-being rather than the change itself. Generally, the health-illness continuum guides healthcare providers in health promotion to achieve optimal wellness and health without illnesses.
The overall State of Health
Consequently, on careful reflection and consideration, I evaluate myself as having good health based on this framework. The health-illness continuum entails five main stages: optimal wellness, good and normal health, illness, and death (Brooklyn Press, n.d.). I do not have any illnesses, but I am aware of unhealthy habits that detract from positive, healthy behavior and practices. I have adopted various behaviors and practices to maintain good health, which includes healthy eating, drinking at least two liters of water a day, and participating in physical activities which range from walking, jogging, stretching, sit-ups, and sometimes yoga (Wickham et al., 2020). However, there are a few instances where I fail to exercise regularly or prepare healthy foods primarily due to a busy schedule or lack of motivation, leading to a poor diet short of good fruits and vegetables. Significantly, I am aware of instances where I tend to overthink, be negative, and overwork, affecting my mental and physical health due to increased anxiety or burnout. Similarly, I do not have a regular sleep schedule; hence I end up sleeping late, less than 8 hours, on more than one occasion and wake up feeling fatigued and not well-rested, which impairs my concentration throughout the day. However, I am constantly working on maintaining and improving physical, mental, spiritual, and emotional health and well-being, and I am aware that there is room for improvement.
Resources and Options Available to Improve Wellness
I strive to move from good health to optimal wellness by evaluating my state of health according to the continuum. Thus, one beneficial resource in this journey is healthcare facilities with relevant diagnostic instruments, screening options to identify chronic disease risks or symptoms, and personnel to offer advice for improving well-being. Public information systems, including credible health websites run by governments and relevant organizations, are another relevant resource that will offer reliable and up-to-date information to help understand the medical condition and empower good decisions and choices. Physical activity is an essential individual resource that will be instrumental in minimizing the risk of disease, strengthening bones, helping in managing weight, and improving the overall quality of life (Wickham et al., 2020). Thus, establishing a schedule for vigorous physical activities of at least 30 minutes daily, for five days a week, will promote wellness.
Seeking the help of a mental health professional will facilitate strategies to manage time and cope with stress or anxiety, which I experience from time to time in daily activities, thus improving mental wellness. Furthermore, a certified healthcare professional’s guidance on proper dietary habits will help achieve and maintain wellness by promoting a healthy lifestyle rich in fruits, vegetables, carbohydrates, fibers, and proteins, while eliminating junk meals or sugary or alcoholic beverages (Wickham et al., 2020). A strong social support system entailing friends, family, or religious community will facilitate mentoring, emotional assistance, and an avenue to connect. Additionally, the system will encourage a positive outlook on life which will guide healthy choices, help build resilience and improve spiritual or psychological state, thus improving wellness. Collectively, these resources will help in achieving a state of optimal health and wellness for relevant flourishing.
Conclusion
Generally, the health-illness continuum is an appropriate tool for understanding and promoting an individual’s health status. Understanding and incorporating this framework in clinical practice allows healthcare providers to provide appropriate and individualized care to individuals or populations, enhancing unique experiences. Therefore, nurses should consider the significant aspects of the continuum to increasing patient participation in their care and offer interventions that enable a shift from the point of illness or neutrality to good health and high-level wellness.
References
Brookside Press (n.d.). 1.03: The health-illness continuum. https://brooksidepress.org/nursing_fundamentals_1/?page_id=115
Kishan, P. (2020). Yoga and spirituality in mental health: illness to wellness. Indian Journal of Psychological Medicine, 42(5). https://doi.org/10.1177/0253717620946995
Wickham, S. R., Amarasekara, N. A., Bartonicek, A., & Conner, T. S. (2020). The big three health behaviors, mental health, and well-being among young adults: A cross-sectional investigation of sleep, exercise, and diet. Frontiers in Psychology, 11. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2020.579205
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