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.
- Explain how understanding the health-illness continuum enables you, as a health care provider, to better promote the value and dignity of individuals or groups and to serve others in ways that promote human flourishing.
- 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.
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Benchmark Information
This benchmark assesses the following competency:
RN-BSN
5.1. Understand the human experience across the health-illness continuum.
Solution:
Benchmark – Human Experience Across the Health-Illness Continuum
The Health-illness Continuum
The health-illness continuum model was introduced in 1972 by John W. Travis(Registered Nursing, 2020). The model is a graphical presentation of wellbeing or wellness. At one end, there is extremely high-level wellness and on the other is extreme illness and death(Brookside Associates, 2015). This model stipulates that patients move along the continuum. For instance, in successful treatment, the patient moves from illness towards wellness and health. On the other end, patients move from wellness to illness when they come down with an infection or a disease(Brookside Associates, 2015). The zone at the center of the continuum is referred to as the neutral zone. At this point, the absence of an illness does not necessarily indicate that the individual is well. On the other hand, it could indicate mental or emotional illness(Henriques, 2015). This zone urges healthcare providers to also focus on the emotional and mental wellness of the patient. Travis stated that the traditional approach to care, whereby the absence of signs and symptoms of an illness translated to health, was misleading and insufficient(Registered Nursing, 2020). This model is essential as it promotes holistic care. It requires that provided care meets the patient’s physical, mental, and emotional needs. By meeting these needs, we can help the patient move from illness past the neutral zone and into wellness in the health continuum.
Value and Dignity
I believe that human dignity and value are the most important values in my professional practice. Dignity refers to respect for human individuality(Khaghanizade et al., 2016). In the nursing profession, dignity calls for each patient to be treated as a unique human being. It……….Please click the icon below to purchase full answer at only $10