MTLBE: Concept of Health

Biomedical Model of Health

Using this view of health and illness, the body (focusing on the physical aspects of health) is seen in isolation from behavioral, social, and environmental factors.

• Dominant for many years and played a large role in prolonging life expectancy.

Health

It suggests that the absence of disease

Biomedical Concept

Ecological Concept

Psychosocial Concept

Holistic Concept

What are the concept of health

Limitation

It has minimized the role of environmental, social, psychological, and cultural determinants of health.

Ecological Concept

Health is a dynamic equilibrium between man and his environment.

Disease

Maladjustment of the human organisms to the environment.

Diagnosis & Intervention

The 2 Aspect of Biomedical Approach are?

Diagnosis

Identification of the disease or illness through a doctor’s observations of symptoms or through diagnostic tests e.g. X-rays, scans, blood tests

Intervention

Action taken to improve health e.g. via medical treatment, hospitalization, prescriptions, surgery, etc.

Biomedical Concept

Traditionally, health has been viewed as an “absence of disease”, and if one was free from disease, then the person was considered healthy.

• This concept has the basis in the “germ theory of disease”.

Psychosocial Concept

Encompasses the mental, emotional, social, and spiritual dimensions of what it means to be healthy.

Psychosocial Health

The result of complex interaction between a person’s history and his or her thoughts about and interpretations of the past and what the past means to the present.

Holistic Concept of Health

This is a synthesis of all the aforementioned concepts which recognizes the strength of social, economic, political, and environmental factors affecting health.

• Its focus is on the well-being of the person as a whole and its emphasis is on the promotion and preservation of health.

Social, Emotional, Physical, Spiritual, & Mental

What are the 5 Areas of Holistic Health Care?

Illness

The subjective state of a person who feels not to be well. It is a broad term that connotes a poor state of mind, body, and to a certain extent “spirit”.

• The general feeling of being sick or unwell —> Ambiguous symptoms.

Disease

Was earlier viewed as a suffering, curse, or punishment for sins but is now viewed as a channel to better understand the human body’s capabilities, interactions, and limitations.

• Illness seen in terms of a theory of disorder.

Sickness

It refers to a state of social dysfunction. It is affected by social and cultural conceptions which affect how a patient reacts.

• It also covers what is considered a disorder that is suitable for treatment.

Qualities of a Healthcare Provider

They may be working in hospitals, clinics, pharmacies, retirement homes, clinical laboratories, and other healthcare facilities.

• They deal with individuals who are not in the best state of health.

Effective Communication Skills

Patients would like their condition and medical procedures explained to them in simple language which they can easily understand. 

• This involves effective speaking and listening, following directions with ease, being able to find the right words to say.

Emotional Stability

The healthcare provider must be emotionally stable as shown by his ability to handle stressful and traumatic situations, such as patients’ suffering and death.

Self-Respect

A healthcare provider should have proper regard to the dignity of one’s self and one’s profession and should have an appreciation of his obligation to care for the sick.

Flexibility

The willingness to work for long periods, overtime, night shifts, and even on holidays is one of the important qualities that a healthcare provider should have.

Good Attention on Details

A healthcare provider needs to be very attentive to details. He should be able to follow and administer instructions carefully to avoid errors.

Good Interpersonal Skills

The ability to work well with people and to deliver services in a variety of challenging situations.

Physical Stamina

A healthcare provider performs long, taxing duties of caring for the sick. He must be able to endure long hours of work, endure the physical demands of providing health services, and answer to varying patient needs and demands.

Problem-Solving Skills

Being able to solve problems creatively is definitely an important skill  of healthcare providers.

• Healthcare providers must be able to handle all these problems even before they arise.

Ability to Respond Quickly

The ability to be able to quickly respond to an emergency is critical in healthcare as this would definitely save lives and prevent unnecessary suffering

Respect

An essential component of any organization and any profession.

Empathy

The act of correctly acknowledging the emotional state of another person without actually experiencing it and ability to identify with the feelings of another person.

Compassion

A healthcare provider should be sensitive enough to understand another person’s feelings or patients’ suffering. This should be combined with the willingness to assist other persons and promote well-being of patients. 

Virtue

It is a disposition to act according to moral principles, rules, and ideals.

• It is a trait that refers to something which is morally good and is therefore valued as a foundation of principle and good moral being.

Arete

Virtue came from the ancient Greek word?

Humility

This is recognizing one’s capabilities and limitations, respecting patients’ autonomy, and accepting valuable suggestions from colleagues. It is putting aside one’s ego and recognizing the value of the person to whom care is given.

Justice

The constant will to give what is due to others with fairness and rightfulness, to distribute equally and equitably resources that are scarce, and to uphold moral and applicable laws and legislations when making decisions.

Courage

Becomes a virtue when we choose to do good and to do what is right, especially when doing it is most difficult without undue fear.

• Having the personal strength and vision to innovate and achieve goals that are consistent with one’s values.

Healthcare Professional

Provides health care treatment and advice based on formal training and experience. 

Patient

Person who suffers. Thus, individuals receiving medical care, treatment, or are under health care.

Out-Patient

Is the one who is hospitalized for less than 24 hours.

In-Patient

One who is confined in a hospital overnight or for an indeterminate period of time.

Informed Consent

The patient has the right to knowledge of and information about and consent to a particular form of treatment

•  Information should include the risk and advantages of any medical treatment that concerns the patient as well as all necessary information concerning diagnosis and treatment.

Informed Decision

The patient is entitled to all information that will lead to his understanding of his condition and enable him to have a genuine deliberation resulting in sound decisions

Informed Choice

The patient has the right to know all the possible alternative courses of treatment and the possible consequences.

Refusal of Treatment

The patient has the right to refuse treatment and be informed of its consequences but only up to the extent provided by law

Patients Bill of Rights

This is a document that provides patients with the necessary information on how they can reasonably expect to be treated during their course of stay in the hospital and may vary from country to country, institution to institution, and in different jurisdictions. These documents are almost in all cases not legally binding.