This concept analysis clarifies the multidimensional attributes of health to provide a theoretical foundation for healthcare professionals and guide future nursing practice.
AIM: To clarify the concept of health from a health promotion perspective that promotes positive health outcomes. DESIGN: Rodgers' evolutionary concept analysis. METHODS: Engaging in an extensive and meticulous review of scholarly literature, we delved into the repositories of China National Knowledge Infrastructure, Wanfang Database, PubMed, Web of Science, and Embase databases, spanning the period from January 2000 to February 2024. RESULTS: A total of 62 papers were analyzed, revealing 6 core attributes essential to understand the status of health: complexity, multidimensionality, dynamism, continuity, objectivity, and subjectivity. These attributes are further elucidated across 5 dimensions: physical, mental, social, moral and environmental health, with each bearing significant implications. The antecedents of health are shaped by medical models, disease spectra, and cultural contexts, collectively influencing individuals, healthcare systems, and social environment. CONCLUSION: The analysis of the concept of health provides comprehensive understanding of the fundamental attributes, thereby establishing a solid theoretical foundation for healthcare professionals. Incorporating the perspective of health promotion can further clarify the connotation of health, providing practical "health standards" for medical and health practice. This approach can guide future nursing practice to focus on improving patients' coping ability, maintenance ability, and rehabilitation ability.
Zhu et al. (Fri,) studied this question.