According to J.R. Bezner, DPT, PhD, Department of Physical Therapy (PT), Texas State University there are three things to consider when implementing “health” and “wellness” with PT practices:
- understanding the terms “health” and “wellness”
- knowledge and skills required to address/promote health and wellness to protect against chronic disease
- barrier/opportunities associated with integration of health and wellness into PT practices
A) Health and Wellness:
- Health: “a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease.” 9
- Wellness: “the sense that one is living in a manner that permits the experience of consistent, balanced growth in the physical, spiritual, emotional, intellectual, social and psychological dimension of human existence.” 10,11 (p.169)
B) Knowledge and skills must include:
- Physical activity
- nutrition and weight management
- smoking cessation
- sleep
- stress management
C) Barriers and Opportunities:
Barriers:
- Time
- lack of interest/awareness
- education/knowledge
- lack of reimbursement
- lack of resources
- lack of self-efficacy
Opportunities:
- Biopsychosocial and/or ecological approach
- fill gaps in their knowledge and skills to promote health and wellness through continuing professional education
- partner/coordinate with other health care providers for intervention reinforcement and support
Chronic diseases encountered most often in patients in the U.S. are related to modifiable behaviors. Physical therapists are in a unique profession related to these patients when a referral/prescription is sent to their clinics. Creating a shift based on education of these preventative behaviors ensures viability of the PT profession.
Go to this link to further research the findings on health and wellness from Department of Physical Therapy, Texas State University:
Wellness Promotion Opportunities/Barriers in Physical Therapy Practices
REFERENCES:
9 Preamble to the Constitution of the World Health Organization (WHO) as adopted by the International Health Conference, New York, June 19-22, 1946; signed on July 22, 1946, by the representatives of 61 states (Official Records of the WHO, no. 2, p.100) and entered into force on April 7, 1948. Available at: http://www.who.int/about/definition/en/print.html. Accessed May 20, 2015.
10 Adams T, Bezner J, Steinhardt M. The Conceptualization and measurement of perceived wellness: integrating balance across and writhing dimensions. Am J Health Promot. 1997;11:208-218.
11 Adams TB, Bezner JR, Drabbs ME, et al. Conceptualization and measurement of the spiritual and psychological dimensions of wellness in a college population. J Am Coll Health. 2000;48: 165-173.
Beth Speaks 