BioPsychoSocial Model of Health - Essay Example

 BioPsychoSocial Model of Health Introduction (Task 1) The biomedical model has been in use since the 20th century to diagnose diseases by physicians. The model primarily aims at reducing inactivity from disability, cases of poor health and reducing mortality. According to this model, being healthy amounts to one being free from ailments, any defect or defects and above all being free from pain. A person in this state is termed as being ‘healthy’ (Annandale 1998). The holistic model on the other hand takes a more positive approach to dealing with human health. Here, a person is supposed to possess both physical and mental health in order to live a healthy lifestyle (Stephen 1990). The 20th century is a time in history that saw huge improvements in the field of medicine. Consequently the century witnessed reduced mortality especially premature ones and increased longevity in the industrialised west. The biomedical model is quite relevant to many diseases and ailments and is also well backed by many facts that are scientific. When taking an example of Britain, the life expectancy was 47 years in 1901 but it had risen to 77 years by the year 2000 (Annandale 1998). This is as a result of development of new medicines and enhanced public hygiene; which is under holistic health. The developments are Discovery of penicillin: this paved way for whole range of antibiotic development and subsequent manufacture. These started to cue diseases that before used to kill in thousands. Insulin: many people used to die of diabetes and its related ailments before the discovery of insulin in 1922. This also opened up the mortality as well as morbidity window period. Vaccination: this was taken in full force in the 20th century where diseases like mumps, yellow fever, poliomyelitis, rubella and many saw people being vaccinated against in masses. Medical Imaging: fractures, tumours and some surgeries could not be dealt with efficiently before this century but after the emergence of x-rays and Roentgen, these obstacles were left in the past. However, these developments were not without their share of challenges. For example, Illich (1976) illustrated the problem of Iatrogenesis and warned that society was becoming too medical and that our natural ability to deal with issues such as death and pain etc were being undermined. Another criticism is that many of the drugs that have been developed to cure us can actually cause harm themselves e.g. anti-biotics and anti-depressants (Illich 1976). Holistic method has been widely criticised mostly by the conventional medical practitioners. They term it as a diagnosis treatment thereby any person can perform without having been licensed to do so or even treat illnesses. George L. Engel however came up with the Bio-psychosocial model that encompasses all the aspects of diagnosis and the causes of ailments. This models is the best among the three mentioned as it integrated the earlier two into one thereby ensuring all there is both the aim of treating a disease as well as that of preventing its occurrence. This model requires that a great deal of information is gathered so that the correct diagnosis is taken and the best treatment accorded to the patient. As noticed the model incorporates the biological, psychological as well as the sociological components of an individuals well being. At the biological level the model aims at looking into the causes of a certain illness as well as body functioning or mechanisms. The psychological part deals with the thinking processes that may affect the illness manifestation in a human body. This includes, negative thinking, emotional instability and a person’s ability to exercise self control. At the sociological front the model looks into various social factors that can influence health of an individual. This includes: ones socioeconomic status, religious affiliations and at times level of technology used. In this respect the model encompassed the previous two into one. This concept has been illustrated by the following diagram: BioPsychoSocial Model of Health and Illness: Venn diagram Biopsychosocial (BPS) model or the contemporary approach is best as it is incorporates all the aspects that need to be looked into when making a diagnosis to treatment and above all it looks in to the prevention of illnesses. It best suits the current time as it also encourages research and understanding of a certain diseases or conditions. These in turn result to efficacy in the method of treatment as well as safety associated with the whole process of diagnosis, treatment as well as prevention. It hereby capitalises on the criticisms of the other two therapies and makes good their shortcomings. The model lays emphasis on a range of client needs as the above diagram may illustrate. The client’s perspectives and their unique conditions are focused on. The method also flexible in its framework as the nature of the illness is deeply conceptualised and many effective remedies are in the offing. It is also accredited for its trend of research and emphasis of healthy behaviours as it also deals with prevention of illnesses; a case founded on the various determinants of health. BPS is also taken to be the best as it is evidence based and well supported by empirical studies and is also thoroughly tested in order to ensure best therapy for an illness or condition. It therefore advances as science and technology advances. The British system of health care (Task 2) Changes under different governments/ political approaches Taking an example of the time of Margaret Thatcher; a conservative, her government’s priority lay in developing the economy as well as improving the enterprise culture. One of the first major reforms saw general managers being appointed. This was one of the key proposals of the Griffith’s report. She embarked of reforming it introducing the internal competition concept. By 1987 many problems had cropped up and they needed urgent attention. One of the major problems then was the shortage of nurses. This had been brought about by the failure of the government to pay them well as well as the shift from to white blouse jobs. In this respect many had opted out of the nursing field while those who had not joined searched for better jobs especially in the service industry (Karen & Alan 1993). The second example is that of Tony Blair’s Labour rule. By this time major opposition had emerged against the conservatives’ move to make NHS look like a private institution. One of the labour party’s election selling points was their claim to do away with internal market as well as the fundholding concept. The party aimed at introducing integrated care in place of the internal market. They claimed that Britain spent well over a billion pounds as a result of the bureaucratic nature of the NHS at the time. They further claimed that with their new system of operation, efficiency shall be attained through comparison and not competition. On coming to power many of these pledged assignments were implemented. The administration ensured an increase in the number of both doctors and nurses (Anthony 2007). Democratic approaches in NHS Democracy as a term has various interpretations and applicability. In NHS democracy is in regards to how health care is accorded to the people. It involves the power to make decisions and policies being vested on the people directly or if indirectly, through a number of people elected from by the public. It was in 1974 that the aforementioned reorganisation of the NHS weakened the relationship that NHS had with the local authorities. The democratic aspect of the process came about as a result of the local authority members being chosen in unbiased manner according to their abilities to perform their respective duties in the Heath Authorities. In 1990, the nominees of the local authorities who were in the health authorities were dissociated from the latter. The new occupants of these positions were later filled out of their appointment by the Secretary of State. They had to be well conversant with business management practices. This move made the SHA to submit a resolution that called for RHA to be part of the normal election process. This was accountability will have improved within the NHS. Consumerist approaches in NHS E.g. Griffiths report: This report had many proposals most of which are simple to implement and quite familiar. The proposals are quite radical and considerably contentious. He had proposed that NHS at the time was an organisation that had already stagnated and that it was quite difficult to achieve change under the prevailing circumstances (Manfred 1984). He said that the centre was too much into that which does not form part of its core business. It was becoming a frustration point to those who worked in it in whichever capacity. He also proposed that the NHS should be taken as a nationalised industry such that the legislature may inquire on its roles and performance of these roles (Griffith 1983). Causes of poor health in the UK Poor health is a phenomenon experienced by a majority of countries in the world. However, the severity of the situation differs to a huge extent and mostly this is dependent on the country’s economic wellbeing. In this case UK is a first world country where the causes of poor health may be significantly different from those of a country like Malawi in Africa although at times similar (Sen 1992). Solutions to poor health as well as health inequalities For UK to find itself having uplifted the state of poor health among its citizens there is need to have the following factors thoroughly addressed. However, the government has proceeded to address these issues so as to uplift the health status of the people both the rich and the poor, (CSDH 2008). Each child should be given the best start in their lives – this includes provision of good maternity services, good elementary education, enhanced equality through improved emotional health, social, linguistic skills as well as cognitive ones (Feinstein 2003). All people young and old alike should be provided an environment where they are able to maximise on their individual potentials – all people should partner to improve access to learning which is life-long in nature to reduce the social gap. There should be put in place fair employment strategies and policies for all – the long-term employment should be minimised at all cost across the social gradient and ensure improved job quality. There has been a steady decline the mortality rates as mentioned earlier in some of the key killers in the medical field namely, cancer and cancer related illnesses, circulatory diseases and quite notable, suicides (DHSS 1980). Life expectancy is also on the rise and actually at its highest level ever to be recorded. Determinants of health Income and social status – Income levels usually dictate the health status. Education – the lower the education level the lower the health status Physical environment – safe water to drink and use as well as clean air, good housing, good communication system in totality ensure good health. Employment and working conditions – employed people seem to depict better health status than their unemployed counterparts. Social support networks – it is important for one to have good family as well as social ties with people in their environment. Culture – the customs and traditions that one follows greatly affect their health status. Genetics - inheritance is a determinant of lifespan in that one may have a higher Conclusion In relation to these determinants, some improvement has been witnesses especially in regards to the drop in the number of smokers and better housing. However, obesity cases are on the increase in both children and adults. Inequalities are also evident when UK is stratified geographically (Forbes 2000). There is in overall notable progress in key areas as identified above for example in relation to cancer and circulatory ailments (Department of Health 1998, 3-97). The improvements that have been realised are some of the best in Europe e.g. mortality rate decline but the least improved also hold record e.g. rise in obesity cases. The UK government is hereby required to come up with better ways of tackling these issues and more as they emerge but progress has definitely been evident as this paper outlines. References American Holistic Medical Association, American holistic medicine, American Holistic Medical Association, viewed 12 April 2010 . Annandale, 1998, The sociology of health and medicine: A critical introduction, Polity Press. Anthony, S 2007, Blair's Britain, 1997-2007, Cambridge University Press. 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