Health and Normality

Question 1

Define normality

Answer 1

Middle range in a distribution of values

Question 2

Define the different types of normality

Answer 2

Statistical: standard deviations from a mean value
Cultural: cultural norms specific to that culture
Attitudnal
Circumstantial
Individual

Question 3

Define the bio-medical view of health

Answer 3

The absence of disease (collection of symptoms and signs evaluated by the doctor) and illness (the patient’s symptoms and experience of the disease)

Question 4

In terms of the positive or holistic view of health, define the 5 major characteristics that define positive ideas about health (Seehouse, 2001)

Answer 4

Health as an
IDEAL STATE
PHYSICAL AND MENTAL FITNESS
COMMODITY
PERSONAL STRENGTH OR ABILITY
BASIS FOR PERSONAL POTENTIAL

Bio-psychosocial model - inequalities relating to income, education and environment etc affect health

Question 5

Give the WHO definition of health

Answer 5

“Health is a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity.

Question 6

Give the lay beliefs of health defined by Blaxter (1999)

Answer 6

Absence of disease
Physical fitness
Functional ability

Question 7

Discuss lay health beliefs in relation to age

Answer 7

Older people - functional ability

Younger people - physical strength and fitness (Blaxter, 1995)

Question 8

Discuss lay beliefs in relation to social class

Answer 8

Difficult economic and social circumstances - health as functional - ability to be productive, cope and take care of others
Women of higher social class or educational status more likely to take a multidimensional view of health

Question 9

Discuss lay beliefs in relation to gender

Answer 9

Women find idea of health more interesting than men
Women include a social aspect to health
Men are less likely to visit their GP
Differences in ecposure and risk - smoking reduces female fertility and increases mens risk and increased HD
Men die younger but women report illness more.

Question 10

Discuss cultural differences in beliefs about health

Answer 10

Compared to white patents, Afro-caribbean patients regarded high blood pressure as normal and not as an increased risk of heart attack and stroke. They were also less likely to take their medication

Question 11

Discuss the effects of serious disability and disease on lay beliefs about health

Answer 11

View selves as healthy and normal. Adaptation from which draws opinion of health and implications.

Question 12

Define quality of life and QUALY

Answer 12

General wellbeing of individuals and societies. HRQoL refers to a multi-dimensional concept related to physical, mental, emotional and social functioning and focuses on the impact health status has on QoL.
QUALY - measure of disease burden including quality and quantity of life. Used in assessing value for money based on the no of years that would be added by an intervention.

Question 13

Describe normality in Doctors Dress Code

Answer 13

Good practice: soft soled, closed toe shoes
Sufficient uniforms or laundry
Change into clean uniform at start of shift and avoid overloading uniforms
Cover tattoos if large or offensive
Use posters so patients know what each uniform means

Poor practice:
numerous badges or adornments
Neck ties
Pens and scissors etc in outside breast pockets
Wear uniform sloppily
Wear jewellery or earrings that aren’t plain studs.