The Concept of Health, From Definition to Measurement and the Implications of the Reserves-Based Model for Nursing in France

Aim

To discuss a reserves-based model of Health, recently developed in the literature, defining Health and moving from conceptual considerations to methods of measuring Health, applicable to nursing practice and research.

Design

Discursive paper.

Methods

A discursive paper critically synthesising a reserves-based model of Health for conceptualising and operationalising Health, with reference to key Health theories from nursing science and social epidemiology.

Results

In the reserves-based model of Health, Health was defined as the ability to maintain/restore physical, socioemotional, cognitive and physiological health reserves in order to adapt and self-manage to life's challenges. Health was measured by the sum of indicators of deterioration of health reserves.

Conclusion

The reserves-based model of Health defining Health through the prism of adaptation reinforces the holistic vision of Health, appropriate to nursing practice, based on the interconnectedness of the whole person and the whole system.

Implications for the Profession and Patient Care

This reserves-based model of Health is likely to modify nursing practices. Nursing diagnosis of patient adaptation could be implemented, in order to offer support care adapted to the patient's capacity to adapt, enabling health promotion strategies to be developed. Nursing research on health reserves is a future promising direction to act on individuals' capacity to adapt.