Health Belief System Theory Health Essay

For instance, using the Cultural Competence and Confidence model we are able to explain, describe, influence, and hopefully predict learning and development of cultural competency within a specific care paradigm. Because this model is interrelated and transmissive, it takes into account historical observations and data, and juxtaposes cognitive, practical and affective measures for a specific set of issues (Jeffreys, 2006, p.26).

Measurment, then, can be done using a metric such as the Transcultural Self-Efficacy Tool (TSET), molded to a specific community and example. if, for example, we were looking at Community a regarding HIV infection among high school students in a heavily multi-ethnic community, we would find that we had barriers of education, prejudice, and assumptions that needed to be handled prior to implementing any healthcare educational program. The idea for healthcare modeling is, then, to use the model to increase competence within culturally diverse groups in order to provide a more effective educational and prevention program (Galambos, 2003).

Using the example of HIV, various factors contribute to the use of holistic medical models in treatment and education of the issue. Of course, religion has a strong basis in abstinance, thus whether the infection comes from sexual activity or shared needles, the moral and religious model would oppose any risk behavior. Individual cultures and ethnicities, too, have strong views on sexual behavior and sexually transmitted disease -- Latinos, for instance, have strong normative behavior against homosexual or bisexual activity, which leaves a significant portion of the population at risk since so much of any risky behavior (whether with men or women) is couched in secrecy. Using holisitc paradigms to educate on a subject such as this would involve methods to keep body and mind in balance, and, if infected, working with traditional medicine to strengthen the immune system, assist in a detoxification program, and learn to be more at peace with one's own lifestyle (Gregory, 1995; Brady, 2001).

It is the combination of a holistic model with a strong foundation in multiple belief systems, cultural attitudes, and individual communities that contribute to the success of failure of the medical paradigm used. However, the key component is allowing the contemporary healthcare professional to expand the model of holism to include research in medical anthropology and folk medicine to understand that there are multiple levels of healing (Galanti, 2008; Rundle, 2002).REFERENCES

Adler, N., et.al. (1994), "Health Psychology: Why do Some People Get Sick and Some

Stay Well?," Annual Review of Psychology, 45.

http://arjournals.annualreviews.org/doi/abs/10.1146/annurev.ps.45.020194.001305

Blair-O'Connor, B. (1994). Healing Traditions: Alternative Medicine and the Health

Professions. University of Pennsylvania Press.

Brady, E. (2001). Healing Logics: Culture and Medicine in Modern Health Belief

Systems. Utah State University Press.

Galanti, G. (2008). Caring for Patients from Different Cultures. University of Pennsylvania Press.

Galambos, C. (2003). "Moving Cultural Diversity Toward Cultural Competence in Healh

Care." Health and Social Work. 28(1): 3.

Gregory, S. (1995). A Holistic Protocol for the Immune System. Progressive Press.

Jeffreys, M. (2006). Teaching Cultural Competence in Nursing and Healthcare.

Springer.

James, W. (1992), "The Development of Vaccination and Discoveries of Louis Pasteur,"

Social Science Review. 73(265): 37-43.

Kennedy, Michael, (2004), a History of Disease, Science, and Medicine, Asklepeid

Press.

Kristensen, T., (1996), "Job stress and cardiovascular disease: A theoretic critical review,"Journal of Occupational Health Psychology, 1(3).

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/9547050

Penny, Gillian, (1994), Health Psychology: A Lifespan Perspective, Routledge.

Porter, Roy, ed., (2006), the Cambridge History of Medicine, Cambridge University

Press.

Porter, Roy, (1999), the Greatest Benefit to Mankind: A Medical History of Humanity,

Norton.

Purnell, L. And B. Paulanka. (2008). Transcultural health Care: A Culturally Competent

Approach. F.A. Davis.

Rundle, a., et.al., eds. (2002). Cultural Competence in Health Care: A Practical Guide.

Jossey-Bass.

Spector, R. (2008). Cultural Diversity in Health and Illness. Prentice-Hall.

Watson, David, et.al. (4/1989,) "Health complaints, stress, and distress: Exploring the Central role of negative affectivity," Psychological Review, 96(2).

http://eric.ed.gov/ERICWebPortal/custom/portlets/recordDetails/detailmini.jsp?_nfpb=true&_&ERICExtSearch_SearchValue_0=EJ398492&ERICExtSearch_SearchType_0=no&accno=EJ398492.....