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Running head: WELLNESS MANAGEMENT

Healthy People 2020 moved the focus of health care from a disease focus to one of
wellness. Discuss who is responsible for managing this wellness focus using the Institute of
Medicine definition of patient-centered care.
NUR 4114 Metaphysical Nursing
January 26, 2016
Gil Anthony Rubia

Running head: WELLNESS MANAGEMENT

Healthy People 2020 changed the focus of health care to wellness instead of focusing on
diseases. According to HHS secretary Kathleen Sebelius, their challenge and opportunity is to
avoid preventable diseases from occurring in the first place, meaning that health preventions
and actions are taken so that these preventable disease do not manifest (Services, 2010). This
change of focus leads to patient-centered care, which is defined by the Institute of Medicine as
providing care that is respectful of and responsive to individual patient preferences, needs, and
values, and ensuring that patient values guide all clinical decisions (Institute of Medicine,
2001). Being patient centered allows individualized interventions, producing better patient
outcomes. This greatly impacts those that work with patients firsthand, such as nurses, in that
they are the ones who are providing healing with their body, mind and spirit.
It is the nurses role to have a healing relationship with the patient. Attending to the
patients mind, body and spirits needs is one way to achieve healing. Without crossing the
professional boundaries, nurses must also be available as much as possible. Communication
through the phone, the internet, and in-person visits should be encouraged. This open
communication will form a bond with the patient, letting them know that they are not alone in
their struggle. However, to be able to have a healing relationship, the nurse must be aware with
their relationship with themselves. Fatigue is one of the main factor. Sometimes a nurse may be
exhausted, so it is important for nurses to be self-aware and communicate it to the patient
(Dossey, Keegan, & Guzzetta, 2014 pg 241). Differences in beliefs and value of the nurse and
the patient can also inhibit the process of healing. It is important to assess ones own value and
appropriately act on it.
Nurses must also be aware of the patients needs and values, because each patient is
unique. Most patients share the same basic needs, but nurses must be aware of their patients

Running head: WELLNESS MANAGEMENT

preferences in order to give care holistically. The patients spirituality and religion must be
considered to provide the best care. According to Dossey, nurses may be more comfortable
discussing spiritual concerns when they arise within an identifiable religious context than when
they occur within a broader perspective of spirituality, meaning that when a religion meets a
patients spiritual needs, the nurses interventions may not be individualized to the patients
needs (Dossey, Keegan, & Guzzetta, 2014 pg. 139). It may not be individualized because
meeting a specific religions needs does not equate to a persons spiritual needs since not
everyone in the same religion practices the same way. In order to prevent this, its best to ask the
patient about their religion and spirituality to ensure that both their religion and spirituality align.

Healthy people 2020s overarching goals includes four goals. The first goal is to
eliminate preventable diseases, disability, injury and premature death. In order to achieve this,
nurses must educate not only their patients, but also their community about immunizations, and
healthy lifestyles. The second goal is to achieve health equity, eliminate disparities and improve
the health of all groups. As educators, nurses need to provide the patients information about their
choices. This will allow the patients to have control over themselves. To do this, nurses need to
share their evidenced based knowledge so that the patients are able to make informed decisions,
such as alternative treatments and health plans. The third and fourth goal is to create social and
physical environments that promote good health for all and promote healthy development and
healthy behaviors across every stage of life. Nurses will continue to play a vital role in managing
the focus of wellness. Teaching the importance of evidenced based practice and adaptability to
change will provide better patient outcomes (US Department and Human Services, 2008).

Running head: WELLNESS MANAGEMENT

These goals may or may not be achieved by 2020, so the next steps or future endeavors
relating to healthy people may be constantly changing. It is important to follow the trends
relating to death, illness, chronic conditions and other health disparities. Once the trends are
assessed, new future goals can be compiled to combat these health disparities.
To improve outcomes, it is important that education is provided so that people can decide
on which foods are beneficial to them. A transportation system that is reliable and affordable also
plays a big role in the peoples access to healthcare. Improvement in health insurance and
culturally sensitive health care providers is also important in that the vulnerable population
includes a variety of races, ethnicity, gender, and sexual orientations. Being able to competently
care for these clients without discrimination is an important step.

Running head: WELLNESS MANAGEMENT

References
Department and Human Services. (2008). The Secretarys Advisory Committee on National
Health Promotion and Disease Prevention Objectives for 2020: Recommendations for the
Framework and Format of Healthy People 2020, 191. Retrieved from
http://healthypeople.gov/2020/about/advisory/PhaseI.pdf
Dossey, B. M., Keegan, L., & Guzzetta, C. E. (2005). Instructor's manual and guidelines for
Holistic nursing: A handbook for practice, fourth edition. Sudbury, MA: Jones and
Bartlett
Institute of Medicine. (2001). Crossing the quality chasm: a new health system for the 21th
century. Iom, (March), 18. US. Retrieved from
http://iom.nationalacademies.org/~/media/Files/Report%20Files/2001/Crossing-theQuality-Chasm/Quality%20Chasm%202001%20%20report%20brief.pdf
Services, U. S. D. of H. and H. (2010). HHS News - Press Release, (202), 12. Retrieved from
papers3://publication/uuid/019B5AE0-0E6B-4537-BF89-414028272EAC Framework
and Format of Healthy People 2020, 191. Retrieved from
http://healthypeople.gov/2020/about/advisory/PhaseI.pdf
US Department and Human Services. (2008). The Secretarys Advisory Committee on National
Health Promotion and Disease Prevention Objectives for 2020: Recommendations for the
Framework and Format of Healthy People 2020, 191. Retrieved from
http://healthypeople.gov/2020/about/advisory/PhaseI.pdf