So the concept of health is used again and again. What does it mean? What does it mean for you? There are so many variations of this definition and by origin, you are talking to. Some would say healthcare is disease prevention. Some would say it is to control a disease like diabetes or high cholesterol. Some would say access to a doctor or provider.
Health defined the state of being accident or illness free.
Heath care as defined by Websters dictionary States “preservation of health by treating and preventing disease by trained and licensed professionals.”
In search of a health condition to be an accident or illness free, we think that this should be regarded as an objective. The goal of health really is a moving target. Our bodies are bombarded daily by viruses, bacteria, social pressure, psychological pressure, just to name a few. With so many forces working to prevent health, we want to maximize our internal resources to keep us from injury and illness. Health us is to find a balance. If we look at the human landscape, there are three major components that comprise us- body, mind and spirit. If any of these three principles are overwhelming other or missing, the achievement of health will fall. Lets use example-
Ronnie is an exercise machine. He works out 5-6 times a week, eat very clean, non processed diet, drink plenty of water, and try to sleep enough to find refreshing. Most of us first publication would equate this person as a “healthy” person. However, at home, Ronnie has been having trouble communicating with his wife, who think he uses too much and give family. The more difficulties Ronnie has at home, he goes to a safe area in his gym to release tension. This cycle continues to build. The stress at home continues to build. Ronnie is physically fit, but mentally is exhausted. This image shows an example to really be free of illness and injury that we need to look at all sides to be truly healthy.
We believe that the pursuit of health (balance of body, mind and spirit) is based on factors Wellness- Health, Lifestyle, and education. We believe that when incorporating these things into your life, then you can truly achieve “health”.
So it is health care then? Is it going to the doctor for advice? Is it to see the counselor to discuss life stressful? Is it to read books and articles on lifestyle choices? Answer- all of the above. We need to look at health from a different lens. Many people that I see in the office view health care in the form of doctors visits. These visits are based on a recent illness or accident. Most folks are trying to get advice on how they can feel better. I would argue to treat injury or illness is not health care. I call this sick care. Sick care is just one part of it that I chose medicine as a profession, to help those who are ill or injured. It seems that for most people equates to health care. What about the times between illness and injury? What are the resources and programs that people do to prevent illness or injury. In the world of business, it is an idea to be PRO active, rather than reactive. Be the beginning of development, no he says. It is my goal for the patients I see.
I have patients who have diabetes, high blood pressure and high cholesterol who for various reasons are medications to help manage this disease. I check the numbers on a quarterly basis and many have achieved the status of “controlled” numbers. My patients feel better, have no symptoms of the disease in their process, and are happy to have blood reflect their work. Have they achieved health though? To me, NO.
Beyond the prescriptions that help keep the disease, we still need to address lifestyle and education to help these patients. Lifestyle Choices are so important- type of nutrition we take in, exercise our bodies keep our minds fresh, learn methods of stress reduction are all important. Education is one factor that goes overlooked in many offices. Doctors I think are largely to blame here. We all try to give advice and hope that our patients are listening. The question is whether they remember the instructions. The practice of writing down in detail and in a non-medical jargon, plans for each patient. Our hope is that the patient will actually read what we wrote and keep our summaries as cookbook entry. Over time, we hope cookbook their transactions giving them the knowledge to make informed decisions.