NRS 434 week 5 Benchmark – Human Experience Across the Health-Illness Continuum
NRS 434 week 5 Benchmark. Research the health-illness continuum and its relevance to patient care. In a 750-1,000 word paper, discuss the relevance of the continuum to patient care and present a perspective of your current state of health in relation to the wellness spectrum. Include the following:
Examine the health-illness continuum and discuss why this perspective is important to consider in relation to health and the human experience when caring for patients.
Explain how understanding the health-illness continuum enables you, as a health care provider, to better promote the value and dignity of individuals or groups and to serve others in ways that promote human flourishing. NRS 434 week 5 Benchmark
Reflect on your overall state of health. Discuss what behaviors support or detract from your health and well-being. Explain where you currently fall on the health-illness continuum. NRS 434 week 5 Benchmark
Discuss the options and resources available to you to help you move toward wellness on the health-illness spectrum. Describe how these would assist in moving you toward wellness (managing a chronic disease, recovering from an illness, self-actualization, etc.).
NRS 434 week 5 Benchmark Answer
Benchmark – Human Experience Across the Health-Illness Continuum
The Health-Illness Continuum
The health-illness continuum model, introduced by John W. Travis in 1972 (Registered Nursing, 2020), presents a graphical representation of human wellbeing or wellness. This model delineates a spectrum ranging from extreme illness and death at one end to a state of high-level wellness at the other (Brookside Associates, 2015). According to this model, individuals move along this continuum in response to changes in their health status. For example, through successful medical treatment, a patient may progress from a state of illness toward wellness and optimal health. Conversely, individuals can transition from wellness to illness when they are afflicted by infections or diseases (Brookside Associates, 2015).NRS 434 week 5 Benchmark
The central zone on the continuum is commonly referred to as the neutral zone. In this context, the absence of clinical signs or symptoms of illness does not necessarily signify a state of true health. Instead, it may indicate the presence of mental or emotional health issues (Henriques, 2015). The model underscores the importance of healthcare providers also addressing patients’ emotional and mental well-being. Travis’s contention was that the traditional approach to healthcare, which equated the absence of apparent illness with good health, was inadequate and potentially misleading (Registered Nursing, 2020). This model is valuable as it emphasizes the need for holistic care, necessitating that healthcare services attend to patients’ physical, mental, and emotional needs. By addressing these needs comprehensively, healthcare providers can facilitate a patient’s movement from illness, through the neutral zone, and ultimately into the wellness phase of the health-illness continuum.NRS 434 week 5 Benchmark
Value and Dignity
In my professional practice, I hold the belief that human dignity and value are of paramount importance. Dignity, in the context of healthcare, refers to the respect and regard for the uniqueness of each human being (Khaghanizade et al., 2016). Within the nursing profession, upholding human dignity entails treating each patient as a distinct individual. It involves recognizing and valuing their diverse attributes, beliefs, and needs. Furthermore, it requires acknowledging their autonomy, preferences, and right to participate in their own care decisions, as emphasized in the principle of patient-centered care (Khaghanizade et al., 2016). The ethical framework that underscores the importance of human dignity is instrumental in guiding healthcare providers to deliver care that is respectful, culturally sensitive, and person-centered.NRS 434 week 5 Benchmark
The principle of human value extends beyond the physical domain, acknowledging that each person has inherent worth and a unique place within society. It is founded on the ethical principle of beneficence, which compels healthcare providers to act in the best interests of their patients (Beauchamp & Childress, 2019). In nursing practice, recognizing the intrinsic value of each patient encompasses delivering care that promotes their well-being, safety, and overall quality of life. This includes actions such as advocating for patients’ rights, preserving their privacy, and protecting them from harm. Respecting the value of each human life, both in its individuality and its collective place in society, is central to the nursing profession and underscores the commitment to providing ethically sound, compassionate, and patient-centered care.
References:
Beauchamp, T. L., & Childress, J. F. (2019). Principles of Biomedical Ethics. Oxford University Press.
Brookside Associates. (2015). Medical Management of Biological Casualties Handbook. Health.mil. https://www.health.mil/Reference-Center/Publications/2015/02/01/Medical-Management-of-Biological-Casualties-Handbook
Henriques, G. (2015). Collaborative Practice in Health and Social Care: Achieving Evidence-Based Practice. SAGE.
