Health illness continuum

Health illness continuum for nursing students

1. HEALTH ILLNESS CONTINUUM

2. HEALTH ILLNESS CONTINUUM

3. The health illness continuum is a graphic illustration of a well being ,concept first proposed by John.W.Travis in 1972. It describes how wellbeing is more than simply an absence of illness , but also incorporates the individuals mental and emotional health. Travis believed that the standard approach to medicines , which assumes a person is well when there are no signs or symptoms of disease ,was insufficient.

4. Composed of two arrows pointing in opposite direction and joined at a neutral point.

5. Movement to the right to the arrows (toward the high level of wellness) equals an increase in level of health and wellbeing Achieved in three steps , Awareness Education Growth

6. Movement to the left to the arrows (towards premature death) equates a progressively decreasing state of health. Achieved in three steps, Signs Symptoms Disability

7. Most important is the direction is the individual facing on the pathway If towards high level of health , a person has genuinely optimistic or positive out look despite his/ her health status. If towards premature death , a person has a genuinely pessimistic or negative out look about his or her health status.

8. Compares treatment model with a wellness model , If treatment model is used ,an individual can move right only to the neutral point. Eg : A hypertensive client who only takes his medications without making any other life style changes. If wellness model is used , an individual can move right past the neutral point. Eg :As hypertensive client not only takes medications but stops smoking , looses weight , starts an exercise programme etc.