Health promotion and disease prevention have been increasingly recognized as an effective way to promote better health among individuals and population as a whole. Programs help individuals to make healthier choices and reduce risk of illnesses in the future. These …show more content…
et al. Stages of Change model has been found the most effective for implementing lifestyle changes for disease prevention and long-term management of the condition. This model can be applied to treating obesity, which later on can lead to hypertension, diabetes, heart disease, and self-esteem issues. Certain guidelines can help to assess the situation and determine a strategy for lifestyle modification. Every office visit has to help the patient move along the stages eliminating the resistance. The following interpretation of the condition is based on MJN PNI in2action motivational interviewing kit. In pre-contemplation stage a patient feels fine about current lifestyle and does not care to change. At this point a physician needs to ask questions and determine why the person does not want to change. The health care provider needs to inform the patient about potential health problems associated with the existing condition. During contemplation stage a patient understands that they are not following their physician’s recommendations on diet and physical activity, but they should, they start feeling bad about it. The physician needs to understand what the barriers are and list the reasons for and against change. During preparation stage a patient listens to the health care provider’s recommendations and starts following them from time to time. The physician’s job is to continue educating the patient on healthy foods and exercises and encourage further lifestyle modification. At Action stage a patient gradually implements the changes and does not feel they are hard to follow. The physician’s strategy at this point is to anticipate potential difficulties (days off, vacations, holidays) and praise the patient on the achievements. Maintenance stage is characterized by the patient’s following the diet, exercising regularly for at least six months and feeling good about it. During this stage the physician has to