Sample Answer
Promoting Health in Practice Portfolio
Element 1: Personal Narrative on Health Behaviours
Maintaining personal health is a professional responsibility for nurses, as it directly influences the quality of care they provide to patients. Reflecting on my own health behaviours, I identified areas of strength and areas needing improvement, which highlighted the impact of lifestyle choices on both physical and mental wellbeing.
I regularly engage in physical activity, including walking and gym sessions, which contributes to cardiovascular health, muscular strength, and stress management (NHS, 2021). Despite this, I noticed irregular sleep patterns due to study pressures and shift patterns. Sleep deprivation can reduce cognitive function, affect decision-making, and impair patient care (Harrison et al., 2020). Recognising this, I have implemented strategies to regulate sleep, such as establishing a routine and avoiding screen use before bed.
Nutrition is another critical aspect of personal health. I tend to skip meals during busy periods, which can affect energy levels and concentration. Adopting a balanced diet rich in fruits, vegetables, and proteins has improved my alertness during practice placements and my ability to engage with patients effectively. This aligns with professional standards that emphasise maintaining personal wellbeing to deliver safe and effective care (NMC, 2018).
Stress management is particularly important in nursing, where exposure to emotionally challenging situations is frequent. I identified mindfulness and reflective practice as valuable strategies. Reflection on patient interactions, using frameworks such as Gibbs’ Reflective Cycle, has helped me process experiences and reduce emotional burnout (Gibbs, 1988). Participation in peer support groups and recreational activities has also contributed positively to my mental wellbeing.
Overall, this self-examination demonstrates that maintaining physical and mental health is not just a personal benefit but a professional necessity. Effective self-care ensures that I can meet the needs of patients safely and competently. My personal health behaviours directly impact my energy levels, empathy, and ability to respond to complex care needs, reinforcing the principle that professional responsibility includes prioritising one’s own wellbeing.
Element 2: Critique of a Health Promotion Model
For this element, I have chosen the Health Belief Model (HBM), which focuses on individuals’ perceptions of health risks and the benefits of engaging in health-promoting behaviours. The model consists of key constructs: perceived susceptibility, perceived severity, perceived benefits, perceived barriers, cues to action, and self-efficacy (Rosenstock, 1974).
The HBM provides a theoretical framework to understand why people engage in preventive health behaviours. For example, in promoting influenza vaccination, understanding patients’ perceived risk of infection and perceived barriers, such as fear of side effects, can guide tailored interventions. Research has shown that interventions aligned with HBM principles improve vaccination uptake (Carpenter, 2010).
In practice, I observed health promotion during a community influenza vaccination campaign. Staff used educational materials, personal consultations, and reminders to address perceived barriers and increase self-efficacy. While the HBM explains individual decision-making, it does not account for social and environmental factors influencing behaviour, such as cultural beliefs or access to healthcare facilities. This limitation was evident when some community members declined vaccination due to logistical challenges rather than individual beliefs.
Comparing theory and practice highlights the importance of combining models with practical strategies. The HBM is effective in guiding communication and targeting interventions at perceived risks, but successful health promotion requires a holistic approach that includes social, environmental, and organisational factors. This aligns with WHO recommendations for multi-level interventions to improve population health (WHO, 2018).
In conclusion, the Health Belief Model provides valuable insights into individual health behaviours and is a useful tool for planning targeted health promotion. However, its application must be complemented by broader strategies that address social determinants of health to achieve meaningful outcomes in practice.
Element 3: Exploration of an End of Life Care Need
Palliative care focuses on improving the quality of life for individuals with life-limiting conditions. One critical need is effective pain management, which requires comprehensive assessment and appropriate intervention. Pain is both a physical and psychological experience, and unrelieved pain can significantly diminish quality of life (WHO, 2021).
Effective pain management involves regular assessment using validated tools, such as the Numeric Rating Scale or the Abbey Pain Scale for patients with cognitive impairment (Herr et al., 2011). Pharmacological interventions, including opioids, must be tailored to the patient’s needs, alongside non-pharmacological strategies such as relaxation techniques, physiotherapy, and psychosocial support. Interdisciplinary collaboration is essential, with nurses coordinating care with physicians, pharmacists, and allied health professionals to ensure holistic pain management.
I observed the application of pain management protocols during clinical placement in a hospice setting. Staff demonstrated patient-centred care by regularly assessing pain levels, adjusting medication, and providing emotional support to both patients and families. This practice illustrates the importance of understanding individual needs, maintaining communication, and using evidence-based approaches to optimise comfort.
Ethical considerations are also critical in end-of-life care. Respecting patient autonomy, providing informed consent, and balancing symptom relief with potential side effects are fundamental principles. By applying these principles, nurses ensure that patients experience dignity and comfort in their final stages of life, demonstrating the professional responsibility to provide compassionate care.
In summary, addressing end-of-life care needs, particularly pain management, requires clinical knowledge, communication skills, ethical practice, and interdisciplinary collaboration. Understanding and responding to these needs is central to nursing practice and reflects the core value of promoting wellbeing at all stages of life.
