Significance of Prevention Concept - Essay Example

Concept Analysis Paper on Prevention Introduction Prevention consists of the measures that are implemented to prevent occurrence of a disease or a conditionand are directed towards eliminating or minimizing the impact of disease and disability. Prevention being an emerging concept calls for a lot of attention because the health of any individual is determinant of any other activity they carry out. It is therefore important to evaluate the concepts of prevention as used in the nursing fraternity. Significance prevention concept Prevention started ages ago and even proverbial sayings show its importance for example the adage that states, “An ounce of prevention is worth a pound”. Prevention is of great importance and is evident in vaccines saving millions of people from death each year. In mental health nursing, it aims at preventing a condition rather than treating the condition to save on cost. Prevention helps in avoiding conditions that would lead to permanent disabilities if by chance they would occur. Most mental conditions on occurrence are irreversible. Statistics show that countries that put great emphasis on disease prevention have low mortality rates as compared to those who put more emphasis on disease curing. Concept definition and literature review During the past years,interest in health care promotion has increased which has been due to several factors. The major factor has been the shift from infectious diseases to chronic diseases that has been named as world killers. This shift is commonly referred to as epidemiologic transition characterized by low birthrates, ageing population and increased cost of health care(Kessler et al, 2013). Previously disease identification was easy but with changing times and the emergence of many diseases, characteristics of diseases have become more similar posing difficulties in disease treatment. Weisel explains that because of this, medical specialist advocate for prevention as opposed to treatment (Wiesel, 2004). The language of prevention from the health care perspective is aimed at creating a uniform understanding on terminologies used in the health care. Cappelli&Mobley(2008) view Prevention language as essential among health personnel in strengthening the integrated capacity for preventive action and community wellbeing.The public health is customary categorized into three groups: primary prevention, secondaryprevention, andtertiallyprevention. The existence of a common understanding framework of prevention is essential in combining solutions and resources as well as sharing experience and skills (Kessler et al, 2013).Various organizations such as the world health organization and the national health partnership have attempted to develop frameworks for disease prevention. Rubin & Croaker (2006) says that the role of these frameworks is reinforcing and motivating opportunities for disease prevention as well as guiding the public on health terminologies. Various disciplines have their own definitions for prevention depending ontheir approach and their intended results. in the medical sector it is defined as the action or actions that intended to reduce , onset,cause ,complications or re occurrence of a disease( Russell , 2009).In the mental health sector it is defined as the psychological level of well being and ability to work productively . The public health department defines prevention as the efforts to achieve maximum benefit to most people. From physiologist’s point of view, prevention is the anticipation of needs, wishes and risks by having precaution forethought. All the definitions draw towards one concept that is characterized by the activities put in place to eliminate the chances of harm occurrence. Prevention has direct benefits to every individual who practices it. It helps them avoid dealing with uncomfortable symptoms and leads to them enjoying their daily activities. It also has secondary benefits in that it can be termed as personal investment and aninsurance plan to themselves. It reduces chances of getting bankrupt during disease treatment. Attributes Defining traits are the characteristics that are frequently discussed by several authors. In prevention, there are several attributes that come out clearly from the almost all the authors. Anxiety is described as situation in which the individual is afraid of the consequences that are bound to follow if a certain situation is not prevented (cappelli&Mobley, 2008). Most chronic diseases have severe consequences and the anxiety in human beings regarding the consequence makes the run to prevention ( Russell , 2009). Vaccination has been done over many decades and it reassures every human beings of zero chances occurrence of the diseases. It is human nature to like assurance and hence prevention has its way in the medical sector (Rubin&Croaker, 2006) Autonomy is also a common attribute among authors. Each human being desire to be in a state of self-reliance and efficiency. Many conditions in the health sector can deny this desire if prior precaution is not taken. (Showstack et al, 1996).Each author emphasis on autonomy and is hence considered as an attribute towards prevention. Many complex medical situations are preventable at an early stage but failure to prevent them from happening leads to patients regretting (Kessler et al, 2013). Proper prevention from diseases and conditions gives hope to people and makes the world a smiling place (Weisel, 2004). Cappeli and Mobley also discuss the hope issue and they refer to it as the engine of prevention (cappelli&Mobley, 2008). Antecedents For there to be a situation of full prevention various antecedents must preside. The antecedents identified in the concept of prevention are health motive, proficiency and consciousness. With these three antecedents in place, the human race will appreciate the need for prevention and its implementation will be simplified. Consequences The consequences of lack of prevention are severe and in most cases not reversible. It would lead to permanent disabilities,bankruptcy,premature deaths. With prevention implemented, people will enjoy above average life standards, active participation in life to exercise their full potential. Model case Considering a situation where the parents of a child take him/her to medical facility for an immunization vaccine for polio. The parents do that out being informed and they will always live without the anxiety of their child being affected by polio. They live with a reassurance of their Childs good health. The child grows up to be a healthy individual with autonomy and hope for life. In the long end, the parents of the child will never regret taking their child for vaccination. Borderline case Considering a situation where a vaccine is taken in preventing a certain disease. However, withtime, the virus of the disease overpowers the vaccines power and the condition prevented over occurs. Such cases exist and they prove that prevention is not 100% definite and therefore may fail to offer reassurance and hope. Contrary case Considering a situation where the parents of a child fail to take him/her to medical facility for an immunization vaccine for polio. The parents may do that out of ignorance but they will always live in anxiety of their child being affected by polio. They live without a reassurance of their Childs good health. Upon the occurrence of the deformities caused by polio, the child will lack autonomy and will not lead a life with hope. In the long end, the parents of the child will be filled with regret that would have been simply avoided by taking the vaccination at the required time. Related case In this situation, none of the attributes is reflected but it still shows the importance of prevention. Considering a case in the construction field where accidents happen on every single day if caution is not taken. Wearing of safety gears such as helmets and gloves prevents accidents from happening. In a situation where this is not been, workers often injured leading to greater losses in terms of money and time. Conclusion This concept analysis explains the many explanations and understanding of prevention in the health sector. It is an important element in the nursing personnel should consider emphasizing on prevention rather than cure. They should utilize this concept to attain a happy state in the lives of people. References Cappelli, D. P., & Mobley, C. C. (2008). Prevention in clinical oral health care. St. Louis, Mo: Mosby Elsevier. Wiesel, E. (2004). Disease prevention through immunization: Beginning of health care reform. S.l.: Diane Pub Co. Rubin, I. L., & Crocker, A. C. (2006). Medical care for children & adults with developmental disabilities. Baltimore: Paul H. Brookes Pub. Kessler et al. (2013). The Epidemiology of co‐occurring addictive and mental disorders: implications for prevention and service utilization. American Journal of Orthopsychiatry, 66(1), p. 17-31. Russell, L. B. (2009). Preventing chronic disease: an important investment, but don’t count on cost savings. Health Affairs, 28(1), p. 42-45. Showstacket al. (1996). Health of the public: the private-sector challenge. JAMA, 276(13), p. 1071-1074. Read More