Health and Wellness Nursing Principles

Health and Wellness Nursing, Healing, and Caring

• The World Health Organization (WHO) defines health as a "state of complete physical, mental, and social well-being, not merely the absence of disease or infirmity" (WHO, 1947).
• Health is a state of being that people define based on their values, personality, and lifestyle. Each person has a unique concept of health.
• Individual views on health differ across cultures.
• Life conditions, such as socioeconomic factors (environment, diet, lifestyle choices), can impact health before illness arises.
• Health beliefs directly affect health perceptions and definitions.
• A person's health behavior can either positively or negatively influence their health.
• Positive behaviors maintain, attain, or regain health and prevent illness (e.g., immunizations, proper sleep, exercise, stress management, nutrition).
• Negative behaviors are harmful to health (e.g., smoking, drug/alcohol abuse, poor diet, refusal of necessary medication).

Models of Health and Illness

• Nurses use models to understand patient attitudes and values regarding health and illness.
• Nursing models help understand and predict patient health behaviors, including how they use health services and comply with therapy.
• Individualized care plans are developed based on these models to effectively restore/promote health.

Health Belief Model

• The model focuses on the relationship between a person's beliefs and behaviors.
• For example, a patient needs to acknowledge the familial link to coronary artery disease. Patient perceptions about the seriousness of their condition can influence how they care for themselves.

Health Promotion Model

• The model recognizes the unique personal characteristics and experiences of each person.
• Behavioral variables can be modified through nursing actions.
• Health-promoting behaviors are the desired outcome and lead to improved health, enhanced functional ability, and better quality of life at all stages of development.

Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs

• Nurses use Maslow's hierarchy of needs to understand the interrelationships of basic human needs.
• Basic human needs (e.g., food, water, safety, love) are essential for survival and health.
• All people share fundamental human needs, though individual needs may vary.
• Physiological needs take precedence over higher-level needs.

Holistic Health Model

• The relationship between the body, mind, and spirit profoundly affects a person's health level.
• Holistic nursing considers the emotional, spiritual, social, cultural, and physical aspects of wellness.
• Examples of holistic interventions: meditation, music therapy, reminiscence therapy, relaxation therapy, therapeutic touch, guided imagery.
• The model empowers patients to actively participate in recovery and take responsibility for maintaining their health.

Variables Influencing Health and Health Beliefs

Internal Variables

• Development stage affects thoughts and behaviors, impacting the perception of illness.
• Fear and anxiety are prevalent among ill children.
• Education, background, traditions, and past experiences shape health beliefs.
• Intellectual background significantly influences how patients perceive health.
• Patients’ emotional states (stress, depression, fear) can affect beliefs and practices about health.
• Spirituality affects values, beliefs and behaviours regarding health and life.

External Variables

• Family perceptions and behaviors (e.g., health practices, history of preventive care) influence patients’ health beliefs.
• Socioeconomic factors (e.g., high utility bills, large family, low income) influence priorities related to health care.
• Cultural background shapes beliefs, values, and customs which impact approaches to healthcare, personal practices, relationship with patients and beliefs about health causes and remedies.

Variables Influencing Health Behaviors

• Lifestyle includes a person's typical activities and routines that are socially acceptable.
• Lifestyle habits can positively or negatively influence overall health status.

Self-Efficacy

• Individual's perception of their own ability to perform a specific task, directly relates to health behaviors and how to effectively modify them
• Nurses promote this by allowing patients to make informed decisions, and providing opportunities to successfully make behavioral changes for increased self-motivation

Health Care Attitudes

• Health behaviors are rooted in beliefs.
• Socialization within the family shapes beliefs about healthcare.
• Nontraditional health practices (herbal remedies, folk healers) can enhance or conflict with conventional treatments.
• Gender differences can influence health beliefs.

Health Promotion, Wellness, and Illness Prevention

• Modern healthcare emphasizes health promotion, wellness, and illness prevention.
• Concepts are aimed at the future by reducing the incidence of illness and disability.
• The differences between these concepts lie in the different motivations and goals.

Levels of Preventive Care

• Primary prevention focuses on healthy individuals.
• Secondary prevention is involved with individuals who have health problems or conditions that may worsen.
• Tertiary prevention involves individuals with permanent or irreversible defects/disabilities

Impact of Illness on Patient and Family

• Illness affects both the individual and family. Illness can impact behavioral/emotional reactions, body image, self concept, family roles, and family dynamics.
• Symptoms visibility influences how people perceive themselves and their illnesses.
• Short-term, non-life threatening illnesses/disabilities often have less impact on behavior and functioning than long-term/disabling illnesses.

Nurse's Role in Health Promotion, Health Protection, and Disease Prevention

• Nurses play a key role in health promotion, health protection, and disease prevention.
• They act as both teachers and counselors, facilitating patients' and families' ability to adopt healthy behaviors.
• Nurses motivate patients to develop necessary lifestyle changes to promote health.
• A successful approach that nurses use: Identifying patient's needs, building trust, and providing appropriate information.