Chapter 6, Problem 1CAQ

Summary Introduction

To determine:

Identify the modifying factors impacting Ms.Thom’s likelihood of taking a preventive health action using the health belief model.

Concept introduction:

The person (T) is 46 years old, works as an RN (registered nurse) in the intensive care unit at a medical center. She gained 30 lbs in last three years and attending the class for fitness at the local recreation center. The co-workers of the person (T) keep trying to get her to come back to fitness class but she just wants to go home because she is too tired after work. She is trying to cut back the number of cigarettes each day because her mother died from emphysema. The person (T) is picked up some literature from Employee Health on smoking cessation and currently, she is diagnosed with hypertension.

Explanation of Solution

The theoretical way to understand the idea and concept is a model that constitute different ways to approach complex things such as illness and health. The relationship between the complex concepts and patients attitude towards the health behaviors is explained by the model. The health belief is the person’s convictions, ideas and attitude about the illness and health. The model also influences the health behavior either by positively or negatively that affects the health level of the patient.

The health belief model described by Rosenstoch’s (1974) and Becker and Maiman’s (1975). In the given case, the patient in the third compartment of the health belief model is the likelihood or chance that person taking preventive action. The likelihood of the patient is determined by the perception of the seriousness of illness and susceptibility to disease.

The person (T) is the likelihood of taking a preventive health action using the health belief model includes lifestyle changes, search for medical treatment and increased the adherence of medical therapies.

Conclusion

The health models are helping to understand the values and attitudes about the illness and health of the patient. The positive health behaviors are related to avoiding illness and regaining good health. The negative health behaviors include alcohol abuse, poor diet and smoking.