The Study of Man

According to Byrne and Thompson

Atomistic Approach
Man as an organism is composed of different organ
systems, each system composed of organ and each
organ made up of tissue and cells.
Holistic or Total Approach
- Studies man in all aspects of his behaviour and
his relationship with others in his environment.
Why Study Man?
Data using atomistic study e.g. temperature,
pulse and the like are used to determine
internal conditions or changes in the body, cells,
organs and organ systems.(useful in planning
mans care during illness or in its prevention)
Data using holistic study supplements the data
collected via the atomistic study (e.g.
relationship of the patient with his family)
Aspects of Man
a. Man as a biological being
b. Organismic behaviour
c. Man as a system
d. Man as a spiritual being
e. Man as a psychosocial being
Man as a Biological Being
Man is not only a composite of isolated
components; each part is dependent of the
other.
Is composed of two systems
o Subordinate system- composed of cells,
tissues, organs and organ systems are
found within the individual.
- Important in carrying out daily life activities
which are vital to survival.
o Superordinate system- composed of
family, community and society which
consist of bigger units of man.
- Provides man with the necessary framework of
relationships linking him to the family, the
community and the society.
Organismic Behaviour
Observable features and actions that
reflects mans functioning as a unified
whole within the environment in which
he exists.
Based on 2 beliefs:
Man normally responds as unified whole.
man is different from and more than the sum of its
component parts.

Man as a System
System- is a whole which functions as a whole
by virtue of the interdependence of its parts. (BUCKLEY)

Closed system- self-sufficient and

totally isolated from other systems.
Open systems- exchanges matter,
energy or information with the
environment surrounding it.
The Energy-Matter Exchange of Man
Man as unified whole, interacts
constantly with his environment, while
at the same time the different
subsystems within him continuously
interact with each other.

Man as a Spiritual Being

Unity of man in body, mind and spirit
Belief in superior force
Motivation to overcome hardship
Spiritual virtues
: Faith is the unquestioning
belief in someone or something
or the complete trust and
confidence or reliance once
placed in a person or thing.
: Foundation in which hope
rests
: Hope nourishes faith
: Charity is love of man for his
fellowman.
Man as a Psychosocial Being
Man is a unique, irreplaceable individual, a one time
being in this world.
- Capable of rational, logical thinking, relating
with others
To summarize
*why is man like
like all other men
- Biological, affected by heredity, environment,
culture and social experiences)
like some other men
- Culture, geography, unique ways of doing
things)
like no other men
- Psychologically, each man has his own
personality)
Maslows Hierarchy of Needs
: Need
- Something that is essential to the emotional
and psychological health and survival of
humans.

At any given time an individuals need may be

met, partially met or unmet.
Maslows framework of basic needs on
the theory that something is a basic
need if:
- Its absence results in illness
- Its presence prevents or signals health
- Meeting an unmet need restores heath
Five Levels of Basic Needs
Physiologic need
1. Physiologic needs
2. Safety and security needs
3. Love and belonging needs
4. Self-esteem needs
5. Self- actualization needs
Qualities that indicate the achievement of ones
potential
1. Acceptance of self and others as they are
2. Focus of interest on problems outside of self
3. Ability to be objective
4. Respect for all kinds of persons
5. Ability to discriminate between good and evil.
6. Creativity as a guideline for solving problems
and carrying out interests.
Laws Governing Mans Needs
Civil and political rights
Economic, social and cultural rights
Childrens right
Rights of the Elderly
How is the human body organized?
Structure closely related to function
Internal environment
- Interaction of different systems to maintain
homeostasis
Homeostasis
- Maintenance of stable conditions within the
internal environment of the body.
Temperature
Blood circulation
Gases
Ph
Nutrients
- When the body is unable to maintain
homeostasis, this often leads to manifestations
of illness.
Basic Survival Needs of the Human Body
+ Sufficient amount and quality of nutrients
+ Sufficient oxygen
+ Sufficient water
+ Heat temperature
+ Ideal atmospheric pressure

Functions of the Body that are Necessary to Maintain

Life
Maintain boundaries
Movement
Responsiveness
Digestion
Metabolism
Excretion
Reproduction
Growth and Development
2 points of view of health
+ Biomedical
- Defines health in terms of standard
physiological parameters like vital signs.
+ Behaviorist
- Defines health according to how an individual
functions and interact with his environment.
- Even with physical deformities as long as he/
she can cope with his daily needs and interact
effectively with people.
Definition of Terms
Health Status- health of a person at a given time
Health beliefs- concepts that an individual
believes true , may or may not be based on
facts
Health behaviour- actions a person take to
understand his/ her health state, maintain an
optimal state of health, prevent illness and
injury and reach his/ her maximum physical and
mental potential
Factors Affecting Health
Internal factors- genetic predisposition; coping
mechanism
External factors- political will, cultural
values(traits, attitudes, beliefs), socio-economic
status
Health
Kalusugan or Lusog
- Full development progressiveness
- Denotes development in correspondence to th
ability to function properly
Malakas/ strong
- Implies that one is able to work and function
Traditional Definitions
The absence of disease an illness ( low levels of
morbidity)
Ability to live a long life ( reduced risk of
mortality)
WHO Definition (1947)
- Health is a state of complete physical, mental
and social well-being and not merely the
absence of disease or infirmity.

The WHO Definition of Health

Multifaceted view of health includes physical,
mental and social dimensions.
Indicates that health extends beyond the
structure and functions of our bodies include
feelings, values and reasoning.
Includes interpersonal relationships and
interactions.
3 Characteristics of WHO Definition of Health
Reflects concern for the individual as a total
person
Views health in the context of both internal and
external environment
Equates health with productive and creative
living
Dimensions of Health
Physical
Emotional
Social
Intellectual
Spiritual
Occupational
Environmental
Physical
- Considers
structural
and
physiological
characteristics
- Examples: body weight, visual ability, strength,
coordination, level of endurance, susceptibility
to illness, powers of recuperation
Emotional
- Emotions and feelings we experience as we
grow and develop
- Encompasses our ability to cope with stress,
remain flexible and compromise to resolve
conflict
Social
- Interpersonal interactions and relationships
- Encompasses social skills, experiences and
insights
- Develops with age exposure to other people
and greater roles associated with employment,
parenting, community involvement
- Saying right things at the right time, coping
skills, flexibility
Intellectual
- Ability to process and act on information, clarify
values and beliefs, understand new ideas and
exercise decision making
- As one of the top ranked aspects of health
Spiritual
- Religious belief and [practices

Examples: relationships with other living things,

nature of human behaviour, need and
willingness to serve others.
- Quiet introspective moments, meditation,
listening to classical music
Occupational
- Importance of the work place and the job to the
sense of we being of a person
- Self- perception is influenced by employment
and productivity
- Provides financial resources as well as useful
skills
like
conflict
resolution
shared
responsibility, intellectual growth.
Environmental
- Recognizes the external world as a potential
resource that can be used to meet the demands
of life.
- Quality of the environment is intricately linked
with the health of individuals.
Holistic Definition of Health
Health is a reflection of your ability to use the
intrinsic and extrinsic resources within each
dimension of health in order to participate fully
in the activities that contribute to growth and
development during each stage of the life cycle.
Models of Health
1. Clinical Mode
2. Role- performance model
3. Adaptive model
4. Eudaemonistic model
5. Environmental model
Clinical Model
- Dunn and Smith
- Absence or presence of signs and symptoms
Role- performance Model
- Leddy and pepper
- Ability or inability to work
- Defines heath in terms of the individuals ability
to fulfil societal roles- perform work.
Adaptive Model
- Dubos/ Wu/ Murry and Zentner
- Success or failure in adaptation
- Views health as a creative process and disease
as a maldaptation; aim of treatment is to
restore the ability to cope and adapt.
Eudaemonistic Model
- Health is a condition of actualization or
realization of a persons potential.
Ecological Model
(Agent, host, environment)
- The three elements interact dynamically and
health is an ever changing state.

Wellness
Striving to live your life to its fullest potential
and acting in healthful ways to prevent or
decrease the chances of unnecessary illness.
Emphasis on prevention of impairments in any
dimension of health
Proactive; positive emphasis
Wellness is well being. It involves engaging in
attitudes and behaviours that enhance quality
of life and maximize personal potential.
Subjective perception of balances, harmony and
vitality.
Wellness is a choice.
Wellness is a way of life.
Dunns Difference between Health and Wellness
Health is a passive state of freedom from illness
within his or her environment.
Wellness is an active process where the
individual becomes aware of and makes choices
that makes a successful existence.
An integrated method of functioning oriented
towards maximizing the potential of individual
within his or her environment.
Levels of Prevention
1. Primary- Health promotion activities that
prevent the actual occurrence of specific illness
or disease.
- Generalized health promotion and protection
against specific health problems.
- - before
- Health promotion and health problem
protection
Example:
Risk assessment for specific diseases
Health education about preventing illness
Immunization
In general,
1. Protection against disease and disability
2. Health promotion
Two categories:
a. Actions to protect against disease and disability
e.g. immunization, safe drinking water, sealants
against tooth decay, guarding against accidents
b. general action to promote health
e.g. basic activities of a healthy lifestyle, good
nutrition and hygiene, adequate exercise and rest,
avoidance of envi.and health risks.
Secondary prevention= during
- Early detection or screening and treatment of
disease and limitation of disability
Goals:

1. Identify and detect disease I n its earliest stage

before noticeable symptoms when it is most
likely to be treated successfully.
2. Prevent the spread of communicable disease/
illness that can be transmitted.
Tertiary Prevention= after
- Recovery and rehabilitation
- Restoration with the goal returning an
individual to an optimum level of functioning
Primordial Prevention
- Prevention of the disease even before one is
born
e.g. genetic compatibility screening, control of anemia
or folic acid deficiency in reproductive women.
Health as a Multifactorial Phenomenon
1. Political- political will, oppression, safety,
empowerment
2. Behavioural= culture, habits, ethnic customs,
mores
Characteristics of Culuture
1. Learned (acquired)
2. Inculcated
3. Adaptive (changes)
4. Social ( shared)
5. Satisfying ( enjoyed)
6. Integrative
7. Ideational
3.
4.
5.
6.

Heredity
Levels of healthcare
Socio- economic
Environmental