PHILOSOPHY OF
HEALTH EDUCATION
Introduction
Health encompasses a multitude of concepts such as physical, mental, and emotional wellbeing. Therefore, many individual considerations must be made to optimally approach one's health. In addition to individual differences in health, it is important to recognize variations of health definitions cross-culturally. Health educators must understand cultural variances in health to enhance patient comfort and understanding. Biological, social, and cultural elements must be taken into consideration for the patient to be treated completely. Complete care for patients addresses the importance of accessible language. Health outcomes are largely determined by a patient’s ability to comprehend and understand health education materials. Health literacy is critical to foster patient-provider relationships and promote patient health. Health is unique to each patient and health educators must assess contributing factors to optimize overall health and wellbeing
Individual as a Whole
To achieve optimal health outcomes, health educators must capitalize on patient-centered care. This includes consideration of a patient’s emotional, physical, and mental wellbeing. To consider one's emotional health, providers must be watchful of stress cues and identify elements outside of direct treatment. Consideration of mental health can include observances of patient body language, conversational tone, and overall appearance. In addition to various health considerations, personal preferences and individual backgrounds also play essential roles in tailoring health messages to individuals. Intake assessments on specific patient characteristics allow for cohesive patient-provider relationships to develop. Assessments could include questions regarding a patient's mental state, personal preferences, and daily behaviors. Cohesive relationships between patients and physicians optimize healthcare delivery. Open communication serves as a key component in healthy patient-provider relationships. In this ideal dynamic, patients feel more comfortable asking questions and more confident in carrying out their treatment in an effective manner.
Cultural Care
Cultural impact also plays a considerable role on the various elements of one's health. To meet all needs of a patient, health educators must initially consider patient cultural values. As healthcare providers create an environment where patient needs of fully and completely addressed, patients will feel more comfortable and confident in their healthcare decisions. When patients are more comfortable, they are more likely to ask deeper questions, reflect on provider recommendations, and carry out effective treatment methods. Consideration of a patient's background lays the framework for more effective treatment. This can be accomplished through treatment of the patient as a whole in regard to their cultural values. Pre-visit questionnaires and the establishment of baseline cultural competency procedures are measures health educators can take to become more culturally inclusive.
Cultural competency is a critical component of health communication because it addresses values specific to individual backgrounds with respect. For example, within Orthodox Judaism, physical touch with the opposite sex can be highly permitted. A friendly extended handshake could quickly be interpreted as an inappropriate action when directed at a member of the opposite sex. Effective cultural competency ensures understanding and comprehension of health materials from individuals of all backgrounds. Breaking the barrier to allow for a greater understanding of others is the first step in promoting the value of various cultures.
Health Literacy
As health definitions vary cross-culturally, health literacy levels also differ. A number of factors influence one's ability to read, understand, and retain health information. This includes variances across education, income, race, ethnicity, age, and disability (Office of Disease Prevention and Health Promotion, 2022). Accessible language is language that includes individuals from all literacy backgrounds. Population differences in literacy levels highlight the importance of accessible language in health materials. To deliver effective care, health educators must incorporate accessible language into practice. This can be done through careful design of health materials, assessment of target population literacy levels, and elimination of technical medical terminology. Accessible language is critical because it reduces confusion, and misunderstandings, and is inclusive to a larger patient population. Effective health practices result from effective communication of health information
Conclusion
To achieve optimal health among communities, it is important to address individual patient needs. Individual patient needs must focus on treatment of the patient as a whole. This includes consideration of one's physical, mental, mental, and emotional well-being. Understanding cultural backgrounds and literacy levels are essential to ensure patients are treated as a whole. Health educators must address specific needs while simultaneously maintaining an understanding of large-scale influences such as workplaces, communities, and religious affiliations. Maintaining this perspective will allow more comprehensive treatment and successful health outcomes to take place under patient-centered care.
Health administration plays an essential role in enforcing patient-centered care among health staff and patients. It is crucial for administrative and educational aspects of health to work together in a symbiotic relationship. Doing this will enforce a higher standard of treatment among various levels of healthcare delivery, creating a stronger system as a whole. Administrative and educational capacities of health are crucial to improving individual, community, and worldwide health outcomes.
Resource
Office of Disease Prevention and Health Promotion. (2022). Health Literacy. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. https://www.healthypeople.gov/2020/topics-objectives/topic/social-determinants-health/interventions-resources/healthliteracy#:~:text=A%20number%20of%20factors%20may,living%20above%20the%20poverty%20level