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.

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

6.  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

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

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

10.  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.