Health and Illness Flashcards
Definition of Disease
Disease is the label that designates the medical understanding of a biological or psychological abnormality
Definition of Illness
Illness is something that happens to persons, while disease is something that happens to organs of the body. Illness is disease plus meaning.
Illness is characterized by feelings of discomfort, helplessness, and a diminished interest in the future.
Patients must learn to cope not only with the symptoms of illness, but also with life as it is affected by the illness
Definition of Health
Health and wellness are vibrant states of life, that are not merely the absence of disease
For the patient: healthy means to be able to get on with tasks and gratifications, and to meet the challenges of life without pain, discomfort, or disability
Health is characterized by a state of well-being, enthusiasm, and an energetic pursuit of life’s goals
Common Themes in Medicine / Healthcare
Smoking-related illnesses
Obesity-related illnesses
Age-related illnesses
Stress-related illnesses
Illnesses related to social disparities and/or socioeconomics
Greater need for emphasis on health promotion and disease prevention
Facts (3) about Health in the U.S.
Approximately 40% of all deaths in the US are directly related to behavioral choices
The single most preventable cause of death and disease in the US is smoking
- $50 billion per year in medical costs
- over 20% of all deaths
Over 50% of Americans are overweight
What patients think about doctors
Think: (clinic) “C. L. I. N. C.”
doctors don’t: COMMUNICATE well
doctors don’t: LISTEN
doctors: NEGLECT the person in their zeal to pursue diagnostic and treatment procedures
doctors are: ISOLATED and unfeeling
doctors: CARE about personal needs and individual differences
Health Literacy Definition
A person’s ability to obtain, process, and understand health information and use that information to make appropriate decisions about one’s health and medical care
Populations at highest risk for health literacy
Elderly
Less Educated
Lower Socio-economic status
Limited English proficiency
Definition of primary care
the coordinated, comprehensive, and personal care, available on both a first-contact and a continuous basis
includes:
- medical diagnosis and treatment of acute and chronic conditions
- psychological assessment and management
- personal support
- communication of information about illness
- prevention and health maintenance
Secondary care
consultation or specialty services
Tertiary care
hospital services
Medicare: what is it?
A federal program established in 1965 to insure the elderly and some disabled individuals
-largest in the nation
Medicaid: what is it?
A joint federal-state program established in 1965 to insure the poor
-the federal government covers at least 50% with the state covering the remainder
Inevitable Changes in Health care
Think: “Health Care Stinks right now! so use VAGSSL”
public wants more VALUE for their dollar
public wants more ACKNOWLEDGEMENT of non-allopathic forms of health care
the GOVERNMENT is getting more involved
physicians need to be SOCIALLY-responsible
the public deserves SAFER care
physicians need to LEARN to work effectively in teams, rather than as independent providers
How Healthcare may change under this model?
1) patients are those who registered in your medical home
2) care is determined by a proactive plan to meet patients needs
3) Care is coordinated by a skilled team of professionals
4) We rely on electronic records
5) Doctors are part of multidisciplinary teams that all work together
6) Care is provided “in person” when appropriate, but also without visits
