[Behav. sci] psychosocial aspects of health by SIMS Lahore

Power point presentation Slides Presented in Lectures at Services institute of Medical Sciences Lahore

1. Psychosocial aspects of health Psychosocial parameters maintaining health and normalcy

2. DEFINITION OF HEALTH World Health Organization defines health “as a state of complete physical, mental and social well being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity”.

3. Psychosocial parameters maintaining health and normalcy Dynamism: it refers to different roles and functions of a person and their changing nature. The more roles he performs the more dynamic he is. Optimization: it refers to performing most of his roles at an optimum state i.e. at best possible level. Personal contentment: it refers to attaining a sustained state of satisfaction and ease despite of repeated failures.

4. 4. Socially responsible: it refers to taking responsibility of the roles and duties assigned by the society - family members, neighborhood, city, country, world. 5. Occupationally effective: it refers to competency in his occupation – skills, knowledge and wisdom. 6. Economically emancipated: it refers to a sense of being free from financial pressures. 7. Relieve from pain and distress: it refers to be free from any painful condition and on psychological front free from mistrust, deceit, prejudice, intolerance, aggression. 8. Homeostasis: it refers to giving respect to rights of others and giving importance to the laws of nature.

5. Defence Mechanisms In order to acquire and maintain this state of health and normalcy, a person uses different psychological mechanisms which help him endure his course of life. These are called Defence Mechanisms. Sigmund Freud have described a number of these defence mechanisms.

6. Psychosocial Aspects of Disease Disease and hospitalization are a source of major stress to the patient. CONCERNS ABOUT THE ILLNESS :- The infectious nature ? The possibility of passing it to the next generation through inheritance ? How long will the treatment last ? Are there any consequent residual disabilities ?

7. STRESS DUE TO ILLNESS Change of role: The ill is assigned a passive role. Financial loss: The disease and the consequent disability may result in a temporary or permanent loss of job; consultation, investigations, treatment and hospitalization Stigmatization: psychiatric illnesses, tuberculosis, venereal diseases, sex linked disorders, AIDS, epilepsy and skin diseases, carry myths and stigma.

8. Loss of self esteem: The passive role, the stigma, financial stress and the distress of the disease lead to a poor view of the self: Fear of being handicapped or disfigurement. Uncertain prognosis. INTERVENTION: Explanation and reassurance based on facts and scientific data be furnished in the language best understood by the patient.

9. STRESS OF HOSPITALIZATION Word hospital is synonymous with ‘bad news’. Hospital is a place associated with disease, disability and death that we learn to dread. Layout of public hospitals is unaesthetic: trauma centre, the emergency, and the intensive care units are set at the very front and thus become the ”face of the hospital” making it dreadful. The functioning of public sector hospitals is mostly bureaucratic, with series of long cues or chaotic masses manned by rude attendants.

10. • Loss of privacy : among the stranger patients and hospital staff and expected to eat, sleep, wash and ease out in common. Loss of autonomy: Once admitted, his diet, dress, bedding, lodging, sleep, and all other routines will now be decided by the health personnel. Some subjects might enjoy this arrangement. Others may dislike it and pose a sudden disappearance of all the symptoms, ready for early discharge taking a “flight to health” and pose ”fit for discharge”.

11. Separation from the dear ones Need of seeking approval of the doctors: In traditional model, pt. tends to please and seek approval of doctor by being a model pt. i.e. asking no question, no arguments and always nodding in affirmation. The issue of handing over his health matters to a group of total strangers. Threat of the social dysfunction of the family. Unsatisfactory information.