NRS 434 Assignment Human Experience

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NRS 434 Health Assessment

The health-illness continuum is a conceptual framework that highlights the dynamic nature of health, and the diverse states individuals can experience. Understanding this continuum is essential for healthcare providers as it enables them to provide holistic and patient-centered care, promote human flourishing, and align their practice with the Christian worldview. This paper explores the relevance of the health-illness continuum to patient care, discusses its implications for promoting the value and dignity of individuals, and presents a personal reflection on health status within the continuum.

The health-illness continuum is a valuable framework in healthcare as it provides a comprehensive perspective on health (Crawford & Wright, 2019). It goes beyond the traditional binary understanding of health as either being healthy or sick and recognizes that health exists on a spectrum. This perspective is important in-patient care for several reasons:

physical, mental, emotional, social, and spiritual dimensions of health when caring for patients (Kerr & Brodwin, 2020). It emphasizes the interconnectedness of these dimensions and the need for a holistic approach to address patients’ overall well-being.

Individualized Care: The continuum acknowledges that individuals may experience different states of health and have unique needs at different points along the continuum (Crawford & Wright, 2019). By understanding where a patient falls on the continuum, healthcare providers can tailor their interventions and treatment plans to meet the specific needs of everyone, promoting personalized and patient-centered care.

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Preventive Care: The health-illness continuum highlights the importance of preventive measures in healthcare (Kerr & Brodwin, 2020). By recognizing that health exists on a spectrum, healthcare providers can intervene proactively, identifying early signs and risk factors of illness, and implementing preventive strategies. This approach empowers patients to make informed choices that promote well-being and prevent the progression of illness.

Patient Empowerment: The continuum promotes patient empowerment by recognizing their unique experiences and needs (Crawford & Wright, 2019). It encourages shared decision-making, active involvement in self-care, and the promotion of health literacy. By involving patients in their care and considering their perspectives, healthcare providers can enhance patient autonomy, dignity, and overall well-being.

Understanding the Health-Illness Continuum to value, dignity, and Promotion of human flourishing.

The health-Illness continuum method promotes patients’ dignity, value, and flourishing by focusing on their mental and physical health. This approach considers psychological, physical, spiritual, cultural, and intellectual aspects, improving society and individual welfare. Healthcare professionals can maintain or restore patients’ health while honoring their dignity and enhancing their well-being. This approach can change patient lives and provide valuable knowledge for enhancing well-being beyond medical care.

As a healthcare provider, understanding the health-illness continuum enables me to better promote the value and dignity of individuals or groups and serve others in ways that align with the Christian worldview and promote human flourishing. The continuum provides a framework that acknowledges the complexity of human beings, and the health-illness continuum is an important perspective regarding health and the general human experience when caring for patients.

As a nurse, one always wants the best for their patient. It is something that the continuum can help actualize. It is our job as nurses to help the patients find the relevant inspiration coupled with their driving factors to put them on a path promoting better health (Grand Canyon University, 2018).

The health-illness continuum is a good tool for nurses since it can help patients plan, visualize, and achieve goals for a healthier lifestyle. A nurse’s responsibility is to treat and educate the patient on how lifestyle choices and prevention can help actualize health and wellness (Archer, 2017). cognizes their inherent worth as creations of God (Edwards, Webber, & Mill, 2019).

By recognizing the continuum, these approaches can be used.

Holistic Approach: The continuum encourages healthcare providers to consider the Importance of the Health-Illness Continuum in Patient Care

Provide Holistic Care: Understanding that health encompasses various dimensions allows me to provide holistic care that addresses the physical, emotional, social, and spiritual needs of individuals or groups (Kerr & Brodwin, 2020). This approach values the whole person and ensures that care is comprehensive and individualized.

Respect Patient Autonomy: The health-illness continuum emphasizes patient autonomy and involvement in decision-making (Crawford & Wright, 2019). By considering where individuals fall on the continuum, I can promote their autonomy by engaging them in discussions about their health goals, treatment options, and preferences. This approach respects their dignity and individuality.

Foster Compassion and Empathy: Recognizing that health is dynamic, and individuals may experience different states on the continuum fosters compassion and empathy (Edwards, Webber, & Mill, 2019). It reminds me to approach patients with empathy, understanding that their experiences and challenges may vary. This approach promotes a compassionate and caring environment that upholds human dignity.

Personal Reflection on Health Status

In reflecting on my overall state of health, nurse recognizes that behaviors and choices significantly influence my well-being (Kerr & Brodwin, 2020). Engaging in regular physical activity, maintaining a balanced nutrition, and managing stress through self-care activities support my health and well-being.  There are numerous ways to keep the individual and others on the healthy side of the sickness spectrum. The ongoing evolution of one’s career is one of these.

In addition to helping the individual, a healthcare professional gives tried-and-true evidence-based practice interventions to patients. It also puts them in a position to use the same information for themselves and put the same suggestions into effect. Additional resources include other healthcare professionals. These coworkers will be more than willing to provide the individual with knowledge and guidance when they begin to veer to the negative side of the health-illness spectrum.

Individuals with no serious illnesses can fall into the “normal health” category but must be aware of harmful habits that negatively impact their health. Overthinking and pessimistic thinking are common, but continuous improvement is crucial for personal well-being and patient care. Good habits, such as getting enough sleep, exercising, and avoiding unhealthy foods, are essential for maintaining good health. Practices like drinking water daily, writing, and wearing sunscreen can help form good habits and improve overall well-being.

Week 5 Assignment Benchmark – Human Experience Across the Health-Illness Continuum

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.

Topic 5 DQ 2

A majority of older adults do not die in their homes despite it being their preference, and they prefer

home care. However, about 25% of patients having terminal illnesses have a home death, while 50% die in hospitals, 20% in nursing homes, and 4% in palliative care facilities (Wheatley & Baker, 2007). A majority of patients, even those who are discharged following admission, are not able to stay at home and instead die in inpatient units.

Besides, a large percentage of patients get an emergency admission before their death due to a change in their health condition in which discharge at this point is usually impossible (Morris et al., 2013). In a case where a patient’s relatives would experience burdens and risks by providing home care, the choice of dying at home is usually inappropriate (Loh et al., 2016). Furthermore, in situations where there are limited resources and community providers cannot provide care at the household level, home care is often impossible, and patients end up dying at nursing homes.

The duty of a nurse should be to uphold the four ethical principles of respect for autonomy, beneficence, non-maleficence, and justice. The four principles provide a framework when facing ethical dilemmas that enables effective decision-making on the emotional issues involved and ensures that crucial factors are not disregarded (Wheatley & Baker, 2007). Decisions on the place of care in patients with terminal illnesses are usually ethically challenging.

Ethical considerations of non-maleficence and beneficence should be balanced against the respect to autonomy and justice (Grand Canyon University, 2018). As a nurse, I would support my clients regarding end-of-life care per their wishes by upholding the moral principle of respect for autonomy (Loh et al., 2016). I would respect patients’ choices on their lives and bodies and allow them to exercise the freedom to make decisions that concern them.

Besides, I would enable clients to have adequate time and experience to make decisions regarding end-of-life care to promote better patient outcomes and decrease the occurrence of adverse events (Price, 2016). I will empower patients and caregivers to make healthcare decisions that avoid hospitalizations at the very end of life.

References

Grand Canyon University. (Ed.). (2018). Health assessment: Foundations for effective practice. Retrieved from https://www.gcumedia.com/digital-resources/grand-canyon-university/2018/health-assessment_foundations-for-effective-practice_1e.php

Loh, A. Z. H., Tan, J. S. Y., Jinxuan, T., Lyn, T. Y., Krishna, L. K. R., & Goh, C. R. (2016). Place of care at end of life: what factors are associated with patients’ and their family members’ preferences? American Journal of Hospice and Palliative Medicine®, 33(7), 669-677.

Morris, Z. S., Fyfe, M., Momen, N., Hoare, S., & Barclay, S. (2013). Understanding hospital admissions close to the end of life (ACE) study. BMC health services research, 13(1), 89.

Price, J. (2016). Informed shared decision-making in planning for the end of life. British Journal of Nursing, 25(7), 378-383.

Wheatley, V. J., & Baker, J. I. (2007). “Please, I want to go home”: ethical issues raised when considering choice of place of care in palliative care. Postgraduate medical journal, 83(984), 643–648. doi:10.1136/pgmj.2007.058487

Each end-of-life situation is unique and requires an individualized approach, considering one’s preferences and values, medical requirements, and the resources available to them. Many patients do not have the resources (i.e, money or funding) to access adequate home-based palliative care which limits their ability to receive end-of-life care at home; still others have complex medical needs that require specialized care which may not be feasible to provide in a home setting (Indarwati et al., 2020). This can lead to hospital admissions or transfers to long-term care facilities. Family dynamics and availability of family members to provide around the clock care often impacts a patient’s ability to stay at home. The burden of caregiving 24/7 can necessitate moving the dying patient into an alternative care setting.

Nurses have the unique opportunity to support patients with regards to end-of-life care. We can start by engaging in empathetic communication with patients and their families to explore their preferences and values (Dadich et al., 2023). We may need to ponder our own values if we find ourselves grappling with patients’ wishes. We must strive to realize our commitment to promoting autonomy, even if a patient refuses curative treatments or requests end-of-life treatments that go against our personal values.

Nurses may need to facilitate advance care planning discussions and document patients’ wishes in advance directives, too. Those who are passionate about this important aspect of patient care can lobby for improved access to home-based services, policy changes, and improvements in healthcare infrastructure.

Each patient, whether at home or in a facility, deserves excellent symptom management that meets their physical, emotional, and spiritual needs. This includes managing pain, promoting dignity, and facilitating a peaceful departure from this world. The nurse can arrange for spiritual support by having a chaplain or religious leader visit.

Lastly, we should expect to provide emotional support to patients and their families in these situations, whether by connecting them with bereavement counseling or simply being there to listen. The goal is to help the bereaved “see past their current suffering” (Best et al., 2023).

Benchmark – Human Experience across the Health-Illness Continuum

Health refers to a relative state in which a person can function well physically, socially, mentally, and spiritually to express the full range of their unique potentiality within the environment in which the person lives. Concepts of health acknowledge health as more than the absence of disease, denoting a maximum capacity of a person for self-realization and self-fulfillment (Svalastog et al., 2017).In this regard, this paper seeks to discuss the health-illness continuum and its relevance to patient care and explainmy current state of health with respect to the wellness spectrum.

Health-Illness Importance to Health and Patient Care

The health-illness continuum is a graphic illustration of the wellbeing concept, proposed by John Travis in 1972. It illustrates the change process that an individual goes through in the lifespan (Lothes II, 2020). The continuum has two arrows pointing in opposite directions from a neutral point. The right arrow moves towards a high level of wellness and represents an increase in well-being. It is attained in three steps: Awareness, Education, and Growth(Lothes II, 2020).

On the other hand, the left arrow moves towards premature death, comparing to a gradually declining state of health. It goes through three steps: Signs, Symptoms, and Disability(Lothes II, 2020). The health-illness continuum explains how one experiences varying states of health ranging from perfect health and fluctuates to death.

The health-illness continuum is important to consider in health and the human experience in patient care since providers can relate that individuals’ health is characterized by intermittent change. It informs providers that individuals must continuously adapt to the health changes to be in good health and wellbeing (Swan, Haas & Jessie, 2019). Besides, it is the adaptation and response to changes in health that affect one’s health and not the change itself.

Consequently, they have a role in helping patients adapt and respond to changes in their health status to promote a high level of wellbeing(Svalastog et al., 2017).Besides, they can help patients move towards a high level of wellness by making them aware of their health status and providing health education to prevent diseases and promote health.

Relation of Human-Illness Continuum to Value, Dignity, and Promotion of Human Flourishing

Understanding the health-illness continuum enables health care professionals to provide appropriate care to patients across the lifespan to help them achieve high levels of wellbeing. As a healthcare provider, I apply the knowledge on the steps to high-level wellness to create awareness to patients and their families about diseases, including their risk factors and causes(Swan et al., 2019). I also educate them on interventions to improve their health and well-being, promoting growth and human flourishing.

Besides, understanding the steps to premature death can enable healthcare providers to intervene early enough to prevent a patient’s signs and symptoms from progressing to disability and death(Swan et al., 2019). The continuum has enabled me to understand that people in the right direction are optimistic while those towards the left are generally pessimistic. Health providers use this knowledge to help patients have a positive attitude despite their health condition, enabling them to progress towards a high level of wellbeing.

Refection on Personal State of Health and the Health Illness Continuum

My overall state of health is generally good. I currently have no disease symptoms, medical conditions, or pre-existing chronic illnesses. Besides, I have never been hospitalized or undergone surgery, and my health has been goodover the years.Behaviors that support good health and wellbeing include eating a healthy diet.

I believe that every person has a responsibility to eat healthily and I thus take lots of fruits and plentyof water. I also control the intake of fast foods, highly processed foods, and artificially sugared drinks. Furthermore, I attend annual health check-ups to have blood pressure, blood glucose screening, urinalysis tests, and cancer screening. I sleep for at least 6 hours a day and attend Yoga sessions regularly for my mental wellbeing.

Behaviors that detract from my health include inadequate physical exercises and alcohol consumption. I currently fall on the right side of the health-illness continuum since I am aware of my health status and factors that put me at riskfor diseases. For instance, I am aware of the risk of chronic illnesses since I have family members with diabetes and hypertension.  I am also enlightened on interventions to implement to promote health and prevent diseases.

Resources Supporting Wellness

Resources available to help me move towards high-level wellness include community health centers, gymnasiums, and Yoga centers. I live near a community health center specializing in non-communicable diseases offering services such as screening, treatment, counseling, health education, rehabilitation care, and weight management. I can utilize these services to obtain more education on living a healthier lifestyle and managing weight.

I can also have blood pressure and sugars regularly screened at the center. I can utilize gymnasium services to adopt an active lifestyle and boost cardiovascular health. Furthermore, I can enroll in a Yoga class at one of the centers, which is important for my mental health and wellbeing.

Conclusion

Health and illness are dynamic processes. Each individual is situated on a continuous continuum that ranges from wellness and optimal functioning in every aspect of an individual’s life, at one end, to illness ending in death, at the other end.

Health providers who adequately understand the continuum can provide healthcare interventions that promote and uphold a patient’s value and dignity and help the patient flourish.I fall in the right direction of the continuum, and my health is supported by healthy dieting, attending annual check-ups, Yoga, and adequate sleep.  Resources available to support wellness include community health centers, Yoga classes, and gymnasiums.

References

Lothes II, J. (2020). Teaching Wellness in a College Physical Education Course: Pre/Post Outcomes over the Semester. Building Healthy Academic Communities Journal, 4(1), 28-47. https://doi.org/10.18061/bhac.v4i1.7267

Svalastog, A. L., Donev, D., Jahren Kristoffersen, N., & Gajović, S. (2017). 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.https://jdc.jefferson.edu/nursfp/101/