HEALTH DEFICIT
n A gap between actual and achievable health status
n Instances of failure in health maintenance
n Possible precursors of health deficit:
ü History of repeated infections or miscarriages
ü No regular health check-up
Examples:
nILLNESS states, diagnosed or undiagnosed
nFailure to thrive/develop
nDisability
nTransient (aphasia or temporary paralysis after a CVA)
nPermanent (leg amputation secondary to diabetes, blindness from measles, lameness from polio)
HEALTH THREAT - conditions that are conducive to disease, accident or failure to realize one’s potential
Examples:
n Family history of hereditary disease
n Threat of cross infection
n Accident hazards
n Faulty eating habits
n Poor environmental sanitation
n Unhealthy lifestyle/personal habits
FORESEEABLE CRISIS - anticipated periods of unusual demand on the individual or family in terms of adjustment/family resources
Examples:
n Marriage
n Pregnancy
n Parenthood
n Divorce or separation
n Loss of job
n Menopause
n Death
PRIORITIZING HEALTH PROBLEMS
NATURE OF THE PROBLEM – categorized into health deficit, health threat and foreseeable crisis
Health deficit 3
Health threat 2
Foreseeable crisis 1
MODIFIABILITY OF THE PROBLEM – refers to the probability of success in minimizing, alleviating or totally eradicating the problem through intervention
Easily modifiable 2
Partially modifiable 1
Not modifiable 0
PREVENTIVE POTENTIAL –refers to the nature and magnitude of future problems that can be minimized or totally prevented if intervention is done on the problem under consideration
High 3
Moderate 2
Low 1
SALIENCE – refers to the family’s perception and evaluation of the problem in terms of seriousness and urgency of attention needed
A serious problem, immediate attention needed 2
A problem, but not needing immediate attention 1
Not a felt need / problem 0
