Introduction
Behaviour theory is expounded as a psychological framework utilised for understanding and explaining human psychology. This is highly prominent in health and social care as it aligns with understanding existing behaviour attributes and shaping behavioural patterns of individuals for enhancing health outcomes. The current portfolio will look upon Health Belief Model [HBM]; this is based on incorporating changes in behaviour of patient in accordance with the severity of illness (Glanz et al, 2010). The essay will be based on the case study of Aliyah; she is a 34-year-old Pakistani woman living in England. Aliyah has been struggling with Generalised Anxiety Disorder, Asthma and Type 2 Diabetes. She belongs from lower socio-economic class and due to this huge financial crisis faced by her.
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Main Body
Reviewing behaviour change model and its implication for supporting lifestyle change
Health Belief Model [HBM] emphasised on enhancing individual beliefs related to their health illness; HBM specifies that if an individual perceives severe health condition, then, there is need to undertake the change in behavioural pattern of patient. This in turn improves the overall health outcomes significantly (Washburn, 2020). In order to assure support to patient for making change in their behaviour significant communication needs to be undertaken. This helps in analysing the issues of service user and accordingly further actions could be taken. HBM is considered as cognitive model of health behaviour that has been used widely for enhancing the patient’s outcomes. There are four stages of health belief model and those are-
Perceived susceptibility
This stage of model aligns with the person’s subjective perception related to illness and diseases. For instance, if Aliyah consistently thinks about her illness, then, this led to create huge stress for her. The beliefs play utmost role in impacting a person’ health and therefore HMB focuses on stimulation of positive thoughts in individual.
Perceived severity of health threat
It refers to the negative outcomes associated with the severity of the disease. When the illness is severe then, it creates adverse impact on the overall health of a person (Ahmed et al, 2023). The early detection and changes of behaviour helps in managing severe condition in future.
Perceived benefit and barriers of treatment
The perceived benefit supports in reducing the threat comprised with health behaviour while perceived barriers identify the behavioural aspects which could make disease worse. There is a need to identify the benefit and barriers that aligned with the behavioural pattern of Aliyah so that further decision can be taken accordingly.
Cues to action
The model determines cues to action as those elements which lead to impact individual decision for changing their behaviour pattern (Ahmed et al, 2023). Cues to action can act as a trigger within on-going process and therefore it is important to take actions after considering triggering point.
Strengths
The strengths of HBM align with simplification of health-related concern that can be easily tested and implemented for changing behaviour. Most importantly it supports the identification of barriers which has the potential to disrupt the whole process. The model focuses on positive thoughts stimulation so that negative thoughts can be eradicated in patient (Hobbs et al, 2011). The likelihood of HBM in changing behaviour is high in comparison to other theoretical framework and behaviours. The service provider can analyse the behavioural attributes of the patients. This model enables in identification of the factors associated with the perceived behaviour of an individual. Thus, healthcare professionals can effectively reduce loopholes and motivate actions of the patient. This model improves knowledge regarding the importance of undertaking improvement in the behavioural pattern and the ways in which changes in behaviour pattern could be implied. Thus, these are the major strengths of HBM, it can be stated that this model has been proven effective in changing the behavioural pattern of patient and reinforcing healthy behaviour.
Weaknesses
The major criticism of HBM is that it fails to address the ways in which habits can shape decisions. The reality is that individuals often get engage in actions for specific reason rather than prioritising their health. However, core motive of health belief model is to enhance the health outcomes of individual but people do not take this as a sole aspect. Therefore, many times HBM does not provide expected outcomes (Michie et al, 2011). The model recommends new action for changing behaviour and it is not easy for every individual to undertake a complete change in their behavioural pattern. In such situation, this model does not provide significant results. HMB ignores person’s belief, attitude and other important determinants that are crucial to be considered for changing the behaviour. Thus, these are the major weaknesses of health behaviour model that can act as a loophole in changing behaviour of an individual.
Application of the change model for lifestyle behaviour
In Aliyah’s case major threat aligns with Type 2 diabetes and therefore, timely actions are needed to be taken so condition does not become severe. Type 2 diabetes is expounded as the condition in which body regulates sugar as a fuel. This increases the risk of heart attack, kidney and heart disease. Diet is a crucial lifestyle factor in Aliyah’s case that needs to be improved for managing Type 2 diabetes (Prestwich et al, 2014). Moreover, diabetes is concerned with the risk of heart attack and other chronic illness. Henceforth, an effective diet which is low in saturated, fats and cholesterol can support in decreasing the cholesterol level and risk of attack. Thereupon, Aliyah must focus on adopting healthy eating pattern so that risk of severe illness can be reduced.
Using Health belief model for adopting healthy eating habit in Aliyah’s case
The health belief model can be used for developing healthy eating habit for Aliyah-
Perceived susceptibility
There is need to educate Aliyah about the risk factors associated with the type 2 diabetes. This is the foremost factor in health belief model that focuses on educating patient about the adverse impacts of disease.
Perceived severity of health threat
The next step is to knowing about the complications such as kidney damage, nerve damage, heart attacks and other chronic issues (Prestwich et al, 2014). Aliyah must be guided about the importance of manging blood sugar level.
Perceived benefit and barriers of treatment
The benefits of adopting healthy eating pattern needs to be communicated with Aliyah so she can manage certain concerns such as- weight management and blood sugar control. Further, larger goals require being part in smaller parts that can be easily managed (Prestwich et al, 2014). For example- healthy eating can be stated by changing one meal of a day.
Cues to Action
Reminder must be set on phone and calendar for tracking food intake and physical activities. The meal planning apps and websites could be used for organising the meals for Aliyah.
Self-efficacy
There is need to build self-efficacy as it acts as a motivational factor for undertaking further progress. Hence, this result in increasing the confidence in Aliyah and she will continue to adopt healthy behaviour.
Person-centred care
The person-centred care focuses on providing utmost care to patient; it is a type of holistic care that covers every aspect such as social, emotional, physical and mental (UK Parliament, 2017). Aliyah is struggling with the financial crisis. Thus, by incorporating person centred care approach emotional support to Aliyah can be given. She is a single parent and no one is there to look upon her. The person-centred care approach result in creating support for Aliyah as it is based on the principle of providing quality care to patient by providing emotional support to them. She can acquire support for care homes where care provider makes treatment and care plan for her. Counselling can support in reducing her anxiety and stress.
Difficulties
There are certain difficulties that could be experienced in implementation of health behaviour model in the case of Aliyah. The recent divorce of Aliyah led to develop a long-lasting trauma for her. In such situation, it is not easy to shape her behavioural pattern, further, extreme anxiety and stress can result in developing drastic impact on the physical health of Aliyah (Washburn, 2020). Therefore, prior focus needs to be implied on undertaking counselling for reducing stress and anxiety. Afterwards, Aliyah must be educated about the severity of condition so she can adopt healthy eating pattern. Service provider can create motivation in Aliyah by discussing about her children, via this conversation Aliyah will have motivation in terms of focusing on her health and probably she would adopt healthy eating pattern.
Conclusion
Conclusively; this can be stated that health belief model proves to be effective for undertaking change in behaviour pattern. However, there is certain criticism of health belief model which needs to be focused out in significant manner. In the case of Aliyah there is need to implement healthy eating pattern so risk related to type 2 diabetes can be managed. Person centred care supports in assuring holistic support to patient which proves to be crucial for enhancing health outcomes.
References
Books and Journals
Ahmed, M. M., Naji, A. B., & Younis, N. M. (2023). Efficacy of an educational program based on health belief model to enhancing weight control behaviors among employees in the University of Mosul: a randomized controlled trial. Revis Bionatura, 8(3), 28.
Glanz, K., & Bishop, D. B. (2010). The role of behavioral science theory in development and implementation of public health interventions. Annual review of public health, 31, 399-418.
Hobbs, L., Campbell, R., Hildon, Z., & Michie, S. (2011). Behaviour change theories across psychology, sociology, anthropology and economics: A systematic review. Psychology & Health, 26(Suppl 1), 31.
Michie, S., Van Stralen, M. M., & West, R. (2011). The behaviour change wheel: a new method for characterising and designing behaviour change interventions. Implementation science, 6(1), 42.
Prestwich, A., Sniehotta, F. F., Whittington, C., Dombrowski, S. U., Rogers, L., & Michie, S. (2014). Does theory influence the effectiveness of health behavior interventions? Meta-analysis. Health Psychology, 33(5), 465.
UK Parliament (2017) Select Committee on the Long-term Sustainability of the NHS The Long-term Sustainability of the NHS and Adult Social Care. Ch 6 Public Health, Prevention and patient responsibility. HL Paper 151, Parliamentary Copyright 2017
Washburn, L. (2020). Understanding the health belief model. University of Tennessee: Knoxville, TN, USA.
7 Years | MBBS
