Health Care Models Analysis

Hypothetical Case

Mr. X , a 55 year old Hispanic male came with the symptoms of fever, fatigue, rash, headache, sore throat and malaise. The patient has been experiencing these symptoms for a while now and no acute treatment has affected. Relevant past history include IV drug abuse, chain smoker and alcoholic, history of bipolar disorder. Patient recollects vaguely on using shared needles for drug use. He lives separate from his wife and children. He works as a manual laborer and lives in a crowded slum. On diagnosis the patient was found to have AIDS. Medical Model Medical model usually identifies the subjective, objective problem of the person, along with history, diagnostic procedure and treatment. It gives us how to treat signs and symptoms with effective understanding of the pathology as the virus is seen in saliva, blood serum and urine. Signs and symptoms like fatigue, diarrhea, nausea, fever, chills and night sweat etc. symptoms are usually identified as the deterioration persist in the body. As well as the opportunistic infection are seen more identified in AIDS patient. The diagnosis is based on understanding of the patient behavior and symptoms which it persist. Medical model gives idea for research and theorizing about physical and psychological difficulties. It gives a broader idea about the concept of disease and alteration in the normal functioning of the body. With effective diagnostic procedure, clinical experience and available resources best treatment can be provided to Mr. X and it provides with better outcome.

Holistic Health Model Holistic health model consists of physical, mental, social and spiritual well being of an individual.
Physical

The physical wellness of the patient is of prime importance which includes early detection and screening, treatment and prevention of illness. In this case, AIDS should be treated and prevention of further immediate progress of physical health deterioration must be achieved.
Mental

Patient's sound mental health is necessary for good recovery from illness. Mr. X needs good mental support from the family, friends, health care team and colleagues. Also, patient is prone to have any phase of Bipolar disorder given the circumstances. This needs to be prevented by proper medical and social support.
Social

Social factors help promotion of balanced health and lifestyle which include family, friends, occupation and stress free life events. Mr. X has poor social background since he is separated from his wife and children, has bad social circle with hotter IV drug abusers and lives in a slum. Spiritual

Spiritual wellbeing of a person defines the atmosphere in which curative process can be achieved. The person should have good bonding with the body, mind and spirit to achieve this. In the above case, Mr. X had little bonding with his mental and social background entitling poor spiritual adaptation.
Epidemiological Triangle Model

The epidemiological triangle model consists of: 1. A host 2. An agent 3. An environment
For the disease to occur the above factors are essential.
Host: Host is an organism vulnerable to the disease causing agent. In this case, the host is Mr. X who harbors the disease.
Agent: Agent is an organism / causative factor which is capable of producing a disease / pathological process in the host. In this case, the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) is the agent.
Environment: Environment is the surrounding which propagates the transmission of disease. In the above case, sharing of needles and IV drug abuse can be elicited as environment.
Susceptibility: The immunity of the host to acquire a disease. Humans (Mr. X) are susceptible to HIV virus.
Pathogenicity: The measurement that determines how virulent the agent is. HIV is a highly pathogenic organism.
Transmission: The mode by which an agent enters the host. Here the sharing of infected needles caused AIDS.

Social model Social model primarily focus on health of a person as his appearance with the society, his relation as he get his life with other people. It basically depends were you were born, under what circumstances u live and work. This social model gives us an idea that prevention is much better than cure. It not only focuses on a particular individual but on the environment as well. In the case of Mr. X, his social relation with family and peer has paved him way to use illicit drugs and share needles. Health education and awareness about AIDS, blood borne infections, restriction on drug abuse could have prevented him from catching it. References Shi, L., and Singh, D.A. (2008). Delivering Health Care in America (4th ed.).Boston, MA: Jones and Bartlett. Pg 37-75.