How Health Psychology Can Aid Nurses in Caring for...

This essay will demonstrate how health psychology can aid nurses in caring for patients with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). It will look at how stigma can impact on the behaviour of patients with HIV as well as explain causes for non adherence. Health psychology studies thoughts, emotions and behaviours related to health and illness. It uses a biopsychosocial approach which considers all aspects of a persons life. Health psychology allows nurses to have a better understanding of how patients perceive health, what influences health risk behaviours and what prompts people to adopt healthy behaviours (Ogden, 2012a). The health belief model (HBM), which was developed in 1966 by Rosenstock, is used as a way of explaining why people†¦show more content†¦Medication is vital in keeping the immune system as healthy as possible however many patients do not adhere to their medication. Chesney, Morin and Sherr (2000) claim that side effects of medication, forgetfulness and access to a pharmacy are all reasons for non-adherence. Also some patients will stop taking prescribed medication because their symptoms have gone, then restart when the symptoms return. Jaquet et al (2010) conducted a study in West Africa on 2920 HIV patients to see how many were adherent. The results showed that 91.8% were taking over 95% of their medication however 16.3% admitted that they had occasionally forgot to take their medications, 12.2% didnt take their medication when they were away from home and 7.0% said the pharmacy had been out of stock. Nurses need to monitor adherence and assess any causes for non adherence. Information on the importance of medication and about the consequences of non adherence will help ensure the patient understands why they are required to adhere. Although medication can allow patients to live a long and relatively normal life it does not cure HIV therefore prevention is vital in reducing the number of new infections. Encouraging health protection behaviours can often be a challenge (Kaplan, Sallis and Patterson, 1993a). People have different beliefs towards health and illness therefore behaviours are different from personShow MoreRelatedThe Philosophy And Science Of Caring1447 Words   |  6 PagesAbstract Caring is a term that is very essential to nursing practice. It is a science and an art that is practiced and perfected by nursing professionals. Jean Watson is a well-known American theorist that created the Philosophy and Science of Caring. Caring in nursing is the important connection between the nurse and the individual that seeks care. Watson’s theory of caring is based on the concept of human relationships and consists of carative factors that should embody the nurse. 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