| |
|
|
|
Well-being and illness prevention |
Well-being
Illness Prevention
 Well-being
We are all familiar with the patient who feels bad, but in whom we can find nothing physically wrong. Despite careful exploration to exclude any clinical illness, sometimes the person just continues to feel "unwell".
One model, which helps us, as practitioners, to look at well-being, has been formulated by Hilton Koppe, a North Coast GP. He suggests six facets which are worth examining. This checklist is as good for doctors as it is for patients.
Physical well-being includes getting enough sleep, and eating, drinking and exercising properly.
Mental well-being is more than the absence of symptoms. Repeated negative thoughts about self might need to be replaced with positive goals and an optimistic outlook.
Spiritual well-being differs for everyone, but it is, in general, the peace arising from contemplation of nature. If such thoughts lift your spirits, make this a priority activity.
Relationships usually require much attention, but are extremely important in providing a sense of self worth. A lack of close relationships can lead to lowered self-esteem, guilt and isolation.
Activities, such as work, are often allowed to "take control" of our lives. Once we assess those activities which build our well-being and those which erode it, we can control them. This assessment is easier to make if shared with someone close.
Environment at work may not be a high priority, but some are clearly "depressing". Recognising the possibility of improving such conditions and making the decision to "fix" them can be rewarding. Similarly, because home and recreational environments can often lift or depress us, these should also be reviewed and possibly modified.
It is usually not easy to identify areas for improvement, to set realistic goals and to modify our lives to achieve these. The first step is to recognise a need and to develop a desire for change. You may need to enlist the support of your family, a friend, your General Practitioner or another counsellor.
Illness Prevention
You would be wise to plan, in conjunction with your General Practitioner, your own program of preventive activities.
Compared with many of our patients, we health professionals might be less vulnerable to preventable illnesses. Nevertheless, there is still a range of activities which should be fundamental to your planning for your own health.
Why not use the following checklist to identify topics or activities for which you may already have a preventive or health-promoting plan. For the others, consider how you might address that lack. You may wish to refer to the Guidelines for preventative activities in general practice, available from the RACGP [03 9214 1414] or at www.racgp.org.au
All ages, all practitioners:
- Immunisations
- Weight
- Nutrition
- Oral hygiene
- Social supports
- Physical activity
- Skin cancer
- Smoking
- Depression and thoughts of suicide
- Blood pressure
- Alcohol consumption
Selected ages and individuals at risk:
- Younger women
- Pre-pregnancy screening (listeriosis, neural tube defects, rubella, smoking, alcohol and illicit drugs)
- Genetic screening
- Cervical cancer
- Breast cancer
Middle-aged practitioners (generally over 45 years of age, up to 65 years)
- Family history of premature cerebro-vascular disease
- Cholesterol
- Diabetes
- Osteoporosis
- Bowel cancer
- Breast cancer
Older practitioner (generally over 65 years)
- Glaucoma
- Dementia
- Visual and hearing impairment
- Problems with balance
- Incontinence
|
Top of Page|Copyright © 2006 Doctors’ Health Advisory Service
Last Updated 25/08/2010|Developed by Platform Networks |
|
National Meeting Of Doctors' Health Advisory Service
Click here for Dr Mamta
Gautam's visit to DHAS
|
|
