Models of health Flashcards
Models of health
These are conceptual frameworks or ways of thinking about health they include biomedical model and social model
Biomedical model
The biomedical model of health Focuses on the physical or biological aspects of disease and illness it is a medical model of care practiced by doctors and or health professional and is associated with diagnosis cure and treatment of disease
Examples of the biomedical model
Include X-rays scans blood test ultrasound pap smear surgery and hospitalization
Diagnosis
Diagnosis is the identification of a disease or illness through a doctor’s observation or through the use of specific diagnostic test and these are part of the biomedical model
Advantages of biomedical model
Creates advances in technology and research
extends life expectancy and improves quality of life
many common problems can be effectively treated using this model
Disdvantages of the biomedical model
It relies on professional health workers and technology is therefore costly
it doesn’t promote good health it has a narrow view of health it doesn’t encourage people to live healthy lives as they are treated to fix the problems that arise the focus is on the condition and not on the determinants that caused it
it is not every condition can be treated cancer for example , advances that have been made but treatment NOT always successful
affordability: is not always affordable and NOT all countries can afford the medical technologies and Resources that are part of the biomedical model of health and important Factor contributing to differences Exprerienced in health status
The social model of health
The social model of health is a conceptual framework within which improvements in health and well-being achieved by directing effort toward addressing the social economic and environmental determinants of health the model is based on the understanding that in order for health gains to occur social and economic and environmental determinants must be addressed
The five key principles (a r e a s)
A- addresses the broader determinants of health R- reduce social inequities E- empower individuals and communities A- access to Healthcare S - intersectoral collaboration
Advantages of the social model of health
Provides education for people so they won’t get the disease
government support immunization it will be less costly to prevent the disease before it happens
encourages individuals to take responsibility and lead healthier lifestyles that improve quality of life
community approach involving all levels of government and non-governmental organisations this increases economic development of a country as the population is in good health and lead productive lives
Disadvantages of the social model
Lack of education for a whole population some people don’t get or understand the message
population will not be motivated people who still smoke and still overweight not believing it will happen to them
changing lifestyle is very difficult not all diseases can be prevented
results of this method of health are not evident until after a long period of time and difficult to measure its effectiveness
Ottawa charter for health promotion
An approach to health development by the world Health Organisation which attempts to reduce inequalities in health
the Ottawa charter for health promotion was developed from the social model of health and defines health promotion as the process of enabling people to increase control over and to improve the health
the Ottawa charter identifies three basic strategies for health promotion which are enabling mediating and advocacy
Health promotion
This is the process of enabling people to increase control over and to improve their health
health promotion therefore Focuses on prevention rather than cure and uses the causes of diseases as the starting point rather than the disease themselves this is population focused
Basic principles of health promotion (three)
Enable Mediate and advocate
Enable
Health promotion aims to enable all people to achieve their fullest health by closing the gaps in health inequalities by ensuring equal opportunities and resources for everyone
reducing differences in health status by ensuring equal opportunities and resources to make healthy choices
Mediate
Professionals social groups and health personnel have a major responsibility to mediate or negotiate between differing interests in society to achieve health coordinated action between all interested parties that is the government and NGOs, media and health sectors.
