Health-Illness Continuum Relevance on the Patient Care

Introduction

The health-illness continuum is a graphic illustration of well-being, first proposed by John W. Travis and Regina S. Ryan (LeMone, 2017). It goes beyond the physical aspect of health and concentrates on well-being or wellness as more than just an absence of illness. This paper aims to discuss the relevance of the health-illness continuum to patient care and present a perspective on the author’s current state of health.

Health-Illness Continuum’s Importance to Patient Care

The Health-Illness continuum is an essential framework that benefits patients’ health and improves the human experience inpatient care. According to this approach, health and illness can be described using a continuum with high-level health and wellness at one end and high levels of sickness and poor health, including death, at the other end. Patients’ status is evaluated according to this scale, and a healthcare plan is decided upon this evaluation.

The introduction of the “wellness” component is of significant importance as the concept of health is not necessarily always a goal. As researchers put it, “The concept of health is subjective and reflects an individual’s perspective of quality of life” (LeMone, 2017, p.17). Thus, moving on a scale from being sick to not showing any symptoms is just an intermittent goal. What healthcare providers should be thriving for is the high-level wellness that involves a contented mental state and flourishing.

This perspective is especially critical in health care and nursing. It allows us to address many issues that are not directly connected to the treatment of illness itself. Moreover, it provides an opportunity for practical evaluation of patients with chronic diseases. This holistic approach admits and welcomes different goals of healthcare. It goes beyond treating symptoms and allows to concentrate on patients’ mental and emotional state, providing support and means of leading a better life.