Models Of Health Throughout History Society Has Entertained

Models Of HealthThroughout History Society Has Entertained A Variety

Models of health throughout history society has entertained a variety of concepts of health (David, 2000). Smith (1983) describes four distinct models of health in her classic work: Clinical Model In the clinical model, health is defined by the absence and illness by the conspicuous presence of signs and symptoms of disease. People who use this model may not seek preventive health services or they may wait until they are very ill to seek care. The clinical model is the conventional model of the discipline of medicine. Role Performance Model The role performance model of health defines health in terms of individuals’ ability to perform social roles.

Role performance includes work, family, and social roles, with performance based on societal expectations. Illness would be the failure to perform roles at the level of others in society. This model is the basis for occupational health evaluations, school physical examinations, and physician-excused absences. The idea of the “sick role,†which excuses people from performing their social functions, is a vital component of the role performance model. It is argued that the sick role is still relevant in health care today (Davis et al., 2011; Shilling, 2002).

Adaptive Model In the adaptive model of health, people’s ability to adjust positively to social, mental, and physiological change is the measure of their health. Illness occurs when the person fails to adapt or becomes maladaptive to these changes. As the concept of adaptation has entered other aspects of American culture, this model of health has become more accepted. For example, spirituality can be useful in adapting to a decreased level of functioning in older adults (Haley et al., 2001). Eudaimonistic Model In the eudaimonistic model exuberant well-being indicates optimal health.

This model emphasizes the interactions between physical, social, psychological, and spiritual aspects of life and the environment that contribute to goal attainment and create meaning. Illness is reflected by a denervation or languishing, a lack of involvement with life. Although these ideas may appear to be new when compared with the clinical model of health, aspects of the eudaimonistic model predate the clinical model of health. This model is also more congruent with integrative modes of therapy (National Institutes of Health, National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine [NIH/NCCAM], 2011), which are used increasingly by people of all ages in the United States and the world. In this eudaimonistic model, a person dying of cancer may still be healthy if that person is finding meaning in life at this stage of development.

Paper For Above instruction

The concept of health has evolved significantly throughout history, reflecting society’s changing understanding of human well-being. Multiple models have been developed to conceptualize health, each emphasizing different aspects such as the absence of disease, social functioning, adaptation, or holistic well-being. These models provide frameworks that influence healthcare practices, policies, and individual perceptions of health and illness.

The Clinical Model

The clinical model dominates traditional medicine by defining health as the absence of disease and illness as the presence of symptoms or signs of pathology (Smith, 1983). This model emphasizes diagnosing and treating observable symptoms and applying biomedical interventions to restore health. It often neglects preventive measures and holistic aspects of well-being, focusing on curative approaches. While effective for acute conditions, the clinical model may overlook the importance of mental, social, and emotional health, which are increasingly recognized as vital components of overall well-being (World Health Organization [WHO], 1948).

The Role Performance Model

The role performance model frames health in terms of an individual’s capacity to fulfill societal roles, including work, family, and community responsibilities (Davis et al., 2011). Illness, in this context, is characterized by the inability to perform these roles adequately. This model highlights the social expectations placed on individuals and acknowledges that health is tied to social functioning and productivity. The concept of the “sick role,” introduced by Talcott Parsons, suggests that illness grants individuals temporary exemption from social responsibilities but also obligates recovery and return to normal functioning (Shilling, 2002). This perspective remains influential in occupational health, education, and social policy, emphasizing the social dimensions of health.

The Adaptive Model

The adaptive model emphasizes an individual’s capacity to adjust to social, psychological, and physiological changes (Haley et al., 2001). According to this model, health is reflected in a person’s ability to adapt positively and maintain homeostasis amid stressors and life transitions. Illness arises when adaptive capacity fails or becomes maladaptive, leading to decreased functioning. This model recognizes the significance of psychological resilience, coping strategies, and spiritual resources in health. For example, spiritual faith or community support can aid older adults in adjusting to age-related decline (Puchalski et al., 2009). The adaptive model thus broadens the understanding of health beyond mere absence of disease, appreciating the dynamic nature of human adaptation.

The Eudaimonistic Model

The eudaimonistic model posits that health encompasses a state of flourishing and optimal well-being, representing a holistic and meaningful engagement with life (Nordenfelt, 2007). It emphasizes the interactions among physical, social, psychological, spiritual, and environmental factors in achieving a fulfilling life. Under this paradigm, health involves the pursuit of personal growth, purpose, and happiness, and illness signifies a disconnection or languishing rather than mere disease symptoms (Ryff & Singer, 2008). This model predates and complements the clinical perspective, emphasizing that a person’s sense of purpose and meaning can maintain a sense of health even in the face of chronic illness. For instance, a terminally ill individual finding purpose in life and spiritual peace may still be considered healthy from a holistic standpoint (National Institutes of Health [NIH], 2011). The eudaimonistic approach aligns with contemporary integrative and holistic health practices, promoting a broader view of what it means to be healthy.

Conclusion

The evolution of health models reflects society’s shifting priorities, from disease diagnosis and treatment to holistic well-being and personal fulfillment. Understanding these models enables healthcare providers and individuals to adopt approaches that resonate with personal values and cultural contexts. Moving forward, integrating insights from these diverse models can foster more comprehensive and patient-centered healthcare, emphasizing prevention, resilience, and meaning as essential components of health.

References

• David, S. (2000). Concepts of health and illness. Journal of Health Perspectives, 4(2), 45-52.
• Davis, L., et al. (2011). Social models of health and community perspectives. Health Education Journal, 70(3), 239-245.
• Haley, S. J., et al. (2001). Spirituality and adaptation in older adults. Journal of Aging & Spirituality, 4(3/4), 205-220.
• Nordenfelt, L. (2007). The varieties of health. Journal of Medicine and Philosophy, 32(3), 265-276.
• National Institutes of Health, National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (2011). Complementary, alternative, or integrative health: What’s in a name? NIH Publication.
• Puchalski, C. M., et al. (2009). Spirituality and health: The importance of spiritual care in healthcare. Journal of Palliative Medicine, 12(10), 943–949.
• Ryff, C. D., & Singer, B. (2008). Know thyself and become what you are: A eudaimonic approach to health and well-being. Journal of Happiness Studies, 9(1), 13–39.
• Shilling, C. (2002). The body and social theory. Sage Publications.
• World Health Organization (1948). Constitution of the World Health Organization. Official Records of the World Health Organization.