CHS 3 Flashcards
Health Perception and Behavior
Understanding Patient Health: Important for health care professionals.
Preventable Conditions: Many encountered conditions are preventable.
Risky Behaviors and Non-compliance: Reasons behind risky behaviors and ignoring health advice.
Impact of Perception: Patients’ perceptions impact health outcomes.
Health Definitions and Evolution
Definition Evolution: Health, wellness, illness, disease, and disability definitions constantly evolve.
Global Impact on Health: Globalization affects Canadian health.
Impact of International Travel: Diseases once regional are now global due to increased travel.
Health Preparedness: Health professionals must adapt to manage new diseases in the country.
Resurgence of Eradicated Diseases and Inequalities
Disease Resurgence: Diseases like measles and tuberculosis resurfacing due to factors like lack of immunization.
Social Determinants of Health: Socioeconomic factors contribute to disease prevalence.
Inuit Population Challenges: Inuit populations face higher rates of TB due to living conditions.
Newcomers’ Health: Care deficiencies exist for newcomers, related to cultural norms, language barriers, and system navigation.
Impact of Social Media and Health Care Providers’ Role
Social Media Influence: Profound impact on health information access and perception.
Health Care Provider’s Role: Assist patients in maintaining health, coping with illness, and supporting recovery.
Understanding Health Beliefs: Health belief models aid in supporting patients.
Psychology of Health Behavior: Understanding how individuals respond to illness is crucial.
Traditional Health Perception
Historical Understanding: Healthy equated to “not sick,” while being sick meant “not well.”
Static Definition: Past concepts were binary, less inclusive, and lacked complexity.
Evolving Health Definitions
Shift in Perception: Health, wellness, and illness are now defined more broadly and inclusively.
Integrated Mental Health: Health began to encompass mental well-being alongside physical health.
Multidimensional Health: The understanding evolved to consider both physical and mental aspects for good health.
WHO’s Contribution (1948)
WHO’s Perspective: WHO acknowledged health as multidimensional, beyond disease presence or absence.
Stagnant Definition: Despite the WHO’s progressive step in 1948, the definition has remained unchanged and might not fully align with modern health perceptions.
Understanding Wellness
Distinct from Health: Wellness and health, although related, aren’t synonymous.
Beyond Good Health: Wellness encompasses feelings about health and overall life quality.
Holistic Responsibility: Achieving wellness involves personal responsibility and balanced lifestyle choices.
Continuous Pursuit: Wellness isn’t static but a lifelong journey influenced by decisions and lifestyle.
Dimensions of Wellness
Multiple Categories: Wellness includes physical, emotional, intellectual, spiritual, social, environmental, occupational, and family health.
Emerging Concepts: Recent inclusions are family wellness and its influence on the overall family unit.
Interconnectedness: Individual wellness contributes to family well-being; family members’ well-being affects relationships and family dynamics.
Holistic Health Approach:
Wellness involves merging traditional and nontraditional treatments.
Examples: naturopathy, acupuncture, aromatherapy, yoga, etc.
Holistic Outlook on Health:
Embracing holistic practices for comprehensive health and well-being.
Combining traditional and alternative medicine approaches.
Alternative Therapies for Wellness:
Range from nontraditional to less invasive treatments.
Some opt solely for alternative therapies over western medicine for wellness.
Role of Alternative Therapies:
Various nontraditional treatments contribute to overall wellness.
Some prefer alternative therapies in pursuit of good health.
Perception of Wellness Amid Disease:
Some individuals feel well despite having a disease or infirmity.
E.g., ALS patient finding well-being despite physical limitations.
ALS Patient’s Perception of Wellness:
Despite ALS diagnosis, patient finds joy in family and meaningful activities.
Considers self to be well despite progressing physical limitations
Physical Wellness:
Maintaining a healthy body through:
Nutritious, balanced diet
Regular exercise
Informed health decisions
Seeking medical care when needed
Understanding lifestyle impact on physical health.
Mental Wellness:
WHO defines it as realizing potential, coping with life stresses, and contributing to the community.
Adds a holistic dimension to mental health.
Not static; not absence of mental illness.
Coping with Mental Illness:
Diagnosed individuals under treatment may perceive wellness.
Example: Bipolar or schizophrenia managed with interventions.
Dynamic Nature of Mental Wellness:
Not tied to absence of mental illness.
Acceptance of diagnosis contributes to perceived wellness.
Indigenous Perspective on Wellness:
Mental wellness balanced with spirituality and nature.
Often aligned with concepts like Mother Earth.
Emotional Wellness:
Understanding oneself, strengths, and limitations.
Ability to control emotions, communicate effectively, seek support.
Mental Health and Adversity:
Good mental health aids proactive reactions to challenges.
Emotional health contributes to coping with adversity.
Impact of Mental Illness:
Conditions like schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, depression affect coping abilities.
Challenges arise especially in handling difficult situations.
Intellectual Wellness:
Making informed, beneficial decisions for oneself.
Gathering information, applying critical thinking, staying updated on health issues.
Occupational Health in Intellectual Wellness:
Satisfaction from career, balancing work with family and leisure.
Emotional Wellness Traits:
Self-awareness, emotion control, effective communication, seeking support.
Mental Health’s Role in Adversity:
Good mental health aids in learning and growth during challenges.
Emotional health crucial for handling difficulties.