Promoting Health And Wellbeing

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Introduction
Defining health is difficult; health can mean different things to different people. It is important to understand the meaning of health before the promotion of health becomes achievable World Health Organisation (WHO) (1998) defined health as “A state of complete physical, mental and spiritual wellbeing, not merely the absence of disease and infirmity”. (Ewles and Simnett 2003 pp.6) Downie et al(1996), Ewles and Simnett(2003) and Lucas and Lloyd (2005) agree that this definition is unrealistic and idealistic simply because it is not often someone can truly feel in a state of ‘complete’ well being. On the other hand, Ewles (2003) argues the definition can be defended as it recognises the notion of positive health and acknowledges the central place of social and mental well being. Following on from the definition of health WHO (1998) defines Health Promotion as,
“The process of enabling people to increase control over, and improve their health”. (Ewles and Simnett 2003 pp.23) For the purpose of this essay, skills and knowledge required by nurses and their role in promoting health effectively will be discussed, and an example from clinical practice will be used to demonstrate the importance of Health Promotion. Confidentiality will be maintained as required by the Nursing Midwifery council (2008) and the patient will be referred to as Tom. Also to be discussed will be the barriers in effective health promotion.
Example from practice
Whilst on placement with district nurses, I attended a home visit to Tom. He is a heavily smoking, diabetic gentleman in his seventies. Tom had arterial disease in his legs which was more prominent in his right leg and had led to gangrene in two of the toes of his right foot. The aim of the visit was to change dressings on his foot although; this visit also provided the nurse with the opportunity to observe

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