Definition of Health - Essay Example

? Health concept Health concept 0. Introduction The concept of health has been a contentious issue in the contemporary world of health (World Health Organization, 2001). It is in this line of argument that various analysts and researchers have come up with varying definitions and approaches to an understanding of the concept of health. With health risks recording an escalating trend, it is of great essence that persons frame an approach of how to handle their well-being, in terms of cost, and how to live healthy (World Health Organization, 2001). It is warranted to argue that health is an existent challenge, and that getting healthy must be a number priority for all persons (n.d.,1). This essay shall aim at addressing the concept of health, then analyse the bio-psycho-social model of health in comparison with other models, notably the biomedical model of health. The essay shall also aim at exploring the idea of health as a ‘contested concept’, and assess the various approaches of the concept of health. Next in line, the essay shall evaluate the strong points and imperfections of the bio-psycho-social model of health in comparison with other models. Additionally, an assessment of the bio-psycho-social model of health, and its influences on culture and technology, and how the same influences the model will be put into scrutiny. To end with, the essay shall analyse the bio-psycho-social model of health and its implications on health care provision, with NHS in question. 2.0. Body 2.1. Definition of health According to the World Health Organization (WHO) health refers to a state of complete wellbeing of an individual- physically, mentally and socially (World Health Organization, 2001). World Health Organization (2001) continues to argue that absence of illness does not necessarily mean that one is healthy. In this case, being healthy can be indicated to refer to a situation whereby the body is able to adjust to life stressors, environmental changes, and varying dynamic conditions. The body thus regains its inner equilibrium- homeostasis a condition that regards the body fit in harsh conditions. On another hand, n.d. (1) admits to the concept of health being a puzzle. The complexities of the term, according to n.d. (1) may lead to a situation whereby the concept may be negatively or positively defined. The work also brings out the fact that health not only features the daily human life, but also the political aspect of humans. n.d. (1) explains that medical scares have created a situation whereby the media has brought out the need for medical advisers to advise politicians on health issues. With many terminologies intertwined to health such as health, disease and illness, and health risks multiplying, the concept remains to be a complex theme (World Health Organization, 2001). In addition, n.d. (1) is of the opinion that health refers to the level in which living beings function well metabolically. In an event whereby human beings are able to survive with a fit mind and body- free of any forms of pain, injuries and pain- they are said to be in good health. It is evident that this concept has been subject to controversy for a long while, due to a deficiency of a completeness of the term. However as indicated above a lot of researchers and analysts have attempted to make the concept simple and comprehensible. Nonetheless, it is of great importance to note that the health status of an individual is determined by various factors ranging from lifestyle, social conditions, economic status, and an individual’s background amongst others. These determinants of health must, therefore, come on board in the quest to discuss the concept of health (World Health Organization, 2011). 2.2. Bio-psycho-social model of health In the work compiled by Janowski (2009:11), bio-psychosocial model (BPS) is an approach that indicates that biological, psychological and social factors play a key responsibility in the working of the human body, and that a destabilization of these factors may result into occurrence of an illness or disease. In their work, Teijlingen, Abraham & Alder (2009:2) argue that psychological factors are inclusive of emotions, behaviours and thoughts of an individual. On a closer point of view, health cannot be alienated from a discussion of biological, psychological and social factors as opposed to the general viewpoint of health being termed as exclusively biological. As the proponent of the approach, Engel emphasizes on the link between the body and mind that sees the completeness and functionality of the human body (Snooks, 2009:11). Though some analysts dispute on the technicality of the term, the approach has been attributed to having exclusiveness in a discussion of health and its components. The approach by Engel is one that has been used and accepted among various cultures. The approach also has had the acceptance of a new medical model, due to its empirical explanations and its application in clinical care. The bio-psychosocial model (BPS) constitutes a biological aspect that aims at explaining how the functioning of the body is a major causative of illness (Snooks, 2009:11). The model also entails the psychological concept that assesses the psychological causes of health problem, such as lack of self control, low self esteem, and emotional breakdown, among others. On the other hand, the social aspect of the bio-psychosocial model (BPS) deals with social aspects that impede health and health status of individuals (Snooks, 2009:11). Such social factors include cultural background of the individual, poverty levels, religion of the concerned person socio-economic status amongst others (Teijlingen, Abraham & Alder, 2009: 2). 2.2.1. Application of the model The bio-psychosocial model (BPS) assesses the health of a person in terms of the biological, psychological and social influences surrounding the person. As the model dictates, the functioning of the body equally affects the mind the person, and the vice versa case is true. Philosophically, the mind and body interaction is basically the functioning of the body, if one does not function, the entire coexistence does not take place. Additionally, Snooks (2009:11) indicates that the bio-psychosocial model (BPS) has to be understood and applied a threesome approach, since the body is a growing mechanism, and that patients will always have health threats, as well as barriers to accessing proper healthcare in their social and cultural environment. In this case, just as Janowski (2009:11) argues, one would be of the argument that the model emphasizes on a healthy livelihood and that patients must attempt to adopt a form of lifestyle that focuses on proper nutrition, physical fitness, constant medical check ups, all in the quest to promote general well being of the patient. Janowski (2009:11) adds on to say that the three levels of human functioning are essential whilst focusing on the patient’s needs in terms of health. In the work of Janowski (2009:11), psychosocial factors have been indicated to have a major implication on the biological component of human beings. In the event that a patient suffers from stress, chances are that the same person will succumb to infections like stomach ulcers, or even indulge in alcoholism. Such infections have been termed as behaviour related infections or rather bio-psychosocial disorders (Snooks, 2009:11). This is an interpretation of the fact that the lifestyle of a person may ultimately affect their health for instance if the patient has abnormal eating behaviours, they may end up being overweight or even obese; thus, affect their general health. Conversely, Teijlingen, Abraham & Alder (2009: 2) caution that the bio-psychosocial model (BPS) does not offer a working solution on the degree of the impact of the causes of the illnesses on the biological, psychological, or social components of the BPS model. On the other hand, other analysts and researchers argue that the model is too theoretical. All in all, Teijlingen, Abraham & Alder’s (2009: 2) work sums up the equation by supporting Engel’s argument on an influence in healthy behaviours on a three level approach- biological, social and physical. 2.3. Biomedical Model of Health In the work compiled by Wall & Ottewill (2004: 13), the biomedical approach of health focuses on biological factors as a major causative of illness in the human body. This definition does not incorporate the psychological, environmental, and social influences of illness, as opposed to the bio-psychosocial model (BPS). This means that health professionals mostly focus on the biophysical and genomic malfunction of an individual as opposed to the social or the psychological history of an individual in the quest of offering treatment (Curtis, 2000:3). The feelings of the patient are of less importance to the medical practitioners, but more light is shed on laboratory tests and results obtained after medication. On another viewpoint, Brannon & Feist (2009: 9) argue that good health according to the biomedical approach of health refers to the bodily condition that is free of pain, defects or illnesses. This is the pathological and physiological view point of the patients’ body functioning that does not focus on the social life of the individual, the psychological aspects that could have played a inordinate part in the identification of the cause of illness. The proponents of the model, according to Wall & Ottewill (2004: 13) concur with the notion that each type of illness in the human body has a cause, and if the cause is uncovered, the individual recovers with the help of medication. 2.4. Health belief model In the work compiled by Edberg (2010: 65), the Health Belief Model (HBM) aims at explaining and predicting health behaviors that focus on the beliefs and attitudes of individuals. With the TB screening program failure in the 1950s, there was need to devise a way of exploring health behaviors (Edlin & Golnaty, 2009: 17). As opposed to the bio-psychosocial model the HBM model understands health related actions on the basis that if a person feels a negative health condition will be found, they apply the avoidance approach (Edberg, 2010: 65). By taking precautions on certain health conditions, individuals avoid the negative impact of a behavior, for instance wearing protective clothing to avoid catching a cold. Individuals also believe that they can take the necessary health actions to an occurrence of any health condition. Kirch (2008: 13) explains the four constructs of HBM as perceived vulnerability to an infection, severity of an illness, benefits of taking precautions and the benefits of the precautions. With these four basics, individuals are able to act towards changing their unhealthy behaviors. The HBM model has been used in helping individuals adopt preventive behaviors, according to Edberg (2010: 65) which promote health and avoid risks such as mobilizing for vaccinations and constant exercise to avoid obesity. 2.4.1. Contrast of models As opposed to the bio-psychosocial model (BPS), the biomedical approach of health and the Health belief model (HBM) do not include the biological issues in the therapy of individuals, psychological factors such as the memory of the patient, mood, and perception prior to making the final diagnosis of a patient (Janowski; 2009:11). Additionally, the biomedical approach estranges the sociological factor of patients during medical care, while the health belief model checks for the ability of an individual to prevent themselves from illnesses. Amongst the sociological factors in the biomedical approach include social class, the individual’s family and the environment. Medical care deprived of the bio-psychosocial approach denies the patient an all inclusive treatment to their heath inequalities. In the event that the patient complains of symptoms that they feel may be the cause of illness, the medics will most of the time ignore the likelihood that the symptoms may be the real cause of the health problem. The bio-psychosocial model can be defined as one that is inclusive of numerous loopholes that have ultimately led to the patients not cured in entirety. At the same time, the biomedical model does not value the need for counselling in the course of the healing process as health practitioners aim at discovering the medical condition the patients go through at the time of admission (Brannon & Feist, 2009: 9). The only form of counselling that is existent between the practitioner and the patient is how to follow the medical orders from the practitioner to the patient (Dienes, 2008: 68). 2.5. Strengths and weaknesses of the bio-psychosocial model (BPS) As a scientific approach, the logical viability of the BPS model is questionable. Scientific models cannot be measured on the basis of assumptions but on the practicality and measurability of the consequences of an application of the model. From a closer analysis of McLaren’s work (2002), the model lacks reason and does not concur with scientific theorems. On the contrary, the theory is one that is historic and assumes the practicality of biological aspect of health. Though Engel has championed for the wholeness of the person, the scientific aspect and application of his approach has not been put into play by a majority of health practitioners. However, an understanding of health in its three combinations of psychological, biological and social factors unlike in one approach of purely biological like the biomedical approach overrules the assumption that illness can only be caused by a pathogen, injury, genetic or a developmental deformity. The model can, therefore, be applied in numerous areas like nursing, counselling, psychiatry, nursing, family therapy amongst others. 2.6. Influencers and influences of culture and technology on the bio-psychosocial model (BPS) Loudon, Horder &Webster (1998: 91) indicate that technology has played a great role in influencing the bio-psychosocial model. Technology, according to Loudon, Horder &Webster’s (1998: 91), work develops paradigms or rather theoretical approaches in relation to the tools that are invented, and the needs that a society requires. In the same way, the doctors have experienced a change in attitude in their visualization of concepts, on what is wrong and how it can be said to be wrong. Regarding the bio-psychosocial model, technology has led to improvement in the quality of healthcare in patients. Technology has led to the investment in healthcare of patients, by coming up with ways of upgrading their psycho-socio-political models of disease, with a complete replacement with highly successful biotechnical models of disease and treatments, which are efficient in handling illnesses (Dienes, 2008: 68).With an upgrade in technology, doctors and physicians have been actively involved in treatment, diagnosis and better forms of screening (Gurung, 2009: 440). Science and technology has shifted the boundaries and confines of dealing with health issues, as doctors are now more conversant with the novel approach to illness that entails assessing the patient as a product of the society- that is full of ails and problems that contribute to poor health. Pincus & McCollum (2009: 699) indicate that contemporary medical care has hugely been influenced by technology, especially in terms of assessing the needs of the patients, and their health concerns. Prognosis and health status according to the bio-psychosocial model has clearly outweighed the biomedical model (Pincus & McCollum, 2009: 700). Technology appreciates the pathos of existence, especially with the consistent developments in computer technology and advancements in bioengineering. New concerns have come up that have disqualified the biomedical approach to the bio-psychosocial one as it provides new sensor to the current three needs of an ill person. Pincus & McCollum (2009: 699) indicate that medical care has become more complex, and a lot of medics rely on technology for survival especially in an understanding of microbiology neuroscience. Proper healthcare is one that produces all rounded patients in terms of their social, physical and psychological needs. Culture has also played a major role in the application of the bio-psychosocial model (BPS). In the modern day world, a lot of persons are not conversant with the fact that illness is independent of the entire body. However, the bio-psychosocial model (BPS) has influenced the thought that infections exist, and that the same infection can be caused by not only agents like bacteria but also the character of the person. The character according to n.d (7) also includes the physical makeup of the person. 2.7. How effective is the bio-psycho-social model within the NHS? In the clinics in the U.K., it is evident that physicians, psychologists, social workers and other health specialists have adopted the three aspects of the BPS model to understand the patient’s background and ailment. Physicians, in this case, do not always have to shed a lot of focus on the biological mechanism of the patient. In the work of Loudon, Horder &Webster (1998: 91), the needs of the society have been changing in terms of healthcare. In relation to the NHS and the bio-psychosocial model, the model has managed to change the perception of the doctors in terms of how they visualize situations and how they know they are wrong. For instance, political drive has led to the NHS devising a primary led care NHS that has seen a change in the quality of healthcare provision in U.K. Loudon, Horder &Webster (1998: 91) continue to argue that over the centuries, the medical practitioners have been able to reconcile the psycho-socio-political models of illness to hospital specialisms that assess the needs of the patients in entirerity. Diagnosis and treatment are not the only basics of treatment, but the basics of the bio-psychosocial paradigms have come into play. This is to mean that healthcare has gone through a re-moulding process that has the NHS appreciate the need to assess the mental status of patients, socioeconomic background, and life stressors as contributors to ill health in patients. Shaw & Myers (2004:267) are of the thought that the bio-psychosocial model of health has been the blueprint of NHS. U.K., through the NHS, has had a duty to care for its citizens from the onset to the end, which entails assessing the patients’ want. Want, according to Shaw & Myers (2004:267) entails poverty and the income factors that lead to ill health in patients, such as poor living conditions. The vulnerability of a group also falls in the docket of the NHS need assessment. This is a clear application of the bio-psychosocial model of health in NHS as it focuses on other factors that affect an individual’s health as opposed to the biological functioning of the body. It is evident that healthcare institutions are realigning in the U.K. so as to embrace the three basics of the bio-psychosocial model of health. Olson (2006:29) brings out the fact that NHS has been involved in community services, and offering specialist care to persons of mental disability, learning disability amongst others. This means that NHS clearly embraces the bio-psychosocial model that visualizes the patient outside their biological make-up. The needs of the patient come first, even in cases when the patient does not have funds to finance their medical care (Olson, 2006:30). Being a non- profit organization, Olson (2006:30) it is possible that the biological, social, psychological needs of patients will be attained. In the work of Hollick (n.d.:26) it is evident that the U.K. economy has been on the verge of losing a lot of working time due to aliments that touch on occupational health hazards. The costs to deal with such hazards have cost the country’s economy about ?12 billion annually Hollick (n.d.:26). A closer viewpoint of the causative agents of these deaths is mostly related with stress factors. In relation to the general wellbeing of the country’s citizens, the NHS has been quick to devise means of dealing with the supposedly dwindling health status of its citizens (White, 2005; Myers & Shaw, 2004: 267). NHS has embarked on a mission to make sure that the populations are made conversant with the need to manage their health conditions, and how work can also be of positive implication to their wellbeing. With this in clarification, the citizens are able to make the right choices in their lives. Wade (n.d: 1) adds on to say that though NHS faces diverse challenges on the nature of illness, and that the political atmosphere in the U.K. is unpredictable regarding health affairs, NHS is keen to ensure that the four levels of the person are met. Ill persons are placed in context with their environment, their social life, their personal dispositions and their temporal context of the illness. NHS has been on the frontline to adopt the fact that illnesses may arise form non biological concepts (Wade, n.d: 2). Patients have been seen to play the role of the sick person in their context. Of essence, NHS can be indicated to have come up with a new way of thinking and applying the concept of health, illness and the control mechanisms in the United Kingdom (Hollick, n.d.: 25). NHS believes in the fact that diagnosis is not only a mere process, but is only possible with a diagnosis of other factors and influences. Diagnosis treatments according to NHS, automatically fail (Hollick, n.d.:19; Forshaw &Sheffield, 2012:159). 3.0. Conclusion Conclusively, the concept of health can be discussed on a multidimensional view. The bio-psycho-social model (BPS) aims at bringing out the view that health can be discussed in three levels- social, biological and psychological. This clearly brings out the dynamism of health and the changes that have been taking place regarding the same with the changes in culture and time place. The manner in which an individual accesses treatment determines whether health will be positive or negative. With the NHS adopting a bio-psycho-social model of dealing with health issues in the U.K., the country is bound to have an easier time handling its health issues. References Brannon, L., & Feist, J., 2009. Health Psychology: An Introduction to Behaviour and Health. London: Cengage Learning. Curtis, A., 2000. Health Psychology. London: Routledge. Dienes, K. (2008). The Biopsychosocial Model of Risk for Depression. London: ProQuest. Edberg, M., 2010. Essential Readings in Health Behavior: Theory and Practice: Theory and Practice. London: Jones & Bartlett Learning. Edlin, G. & Golnaty, E. (2009).Health and Wellness. NY:Jones & Bartlett Learning. Forshaw, M., &Sheffield, D., 2012. Health Psychology in Action. 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