Answer 2 for NRS 420 Benchmark – Human Experience Across the Health-Illness Continuum

Answer 2 for NRS 420 Benchmark – Human Experience Across the Health-Illness Continuum

Health refers to a relative state in which a person can function well physically, socially, mentally, and spiritually to express the full range of their unique potentiality within the environment in which the person lives. Concepts of health acknowledge health as more than the absence of disease, denoting a maximum capacity of a person for self-realization and self-fulfillment (Svalastog et al., 2017). In this regard, this paper seeks to discuss the health-illness continuum and its relevance to patient care and explain my current state of health with respect to the wellness spectrum.

Health-Illness Importance to Health and Patient Care

The health-illness continuum is a graphic illustration of the wellbeing concept, proposed by John Travis in 1972. It illustrates the change process that an individual goes through in the lifespan (Lothes II, 2020). The continuum has two arrows pointing in opposite directions from a neutral point. The right arrow moves towards a high level of wellness and represents an increase in well-being. It is attained in three steps: Awareness, Education, and Growth (Lothes II, 2020). On the other hand, the left arrow moves towards premature death, comparing to a gradually declining state of health. It goes through three steps: Signs, Symptoms, and Disability (Lothes II, 2020). The health-illness continuum explains how one experiences varying states of health ranging from perfect health and fluctuates to death.

The health-illness continuum is important to consider in health and the human experience in patient care since providers can relate that individuals’ health is characterized by intermittent change. It informs providers that individuals must continuously adapt to the health changes to be in good health and wellbeing (Swan, Haas & Jessie, 2019). Besides, it is the adaptation and response to changes in health that affect one’s health and not the change itself.  Consequently, they have a role in helping patients adapt and respond to changes in their health status to promote a high level of wellbeing (Svalastog et al., 2017). Besides, they can help patients move towards a high level of wellness by making them aware of their health status and providing health education to prevent diseases and promote health.