J Korean Acad Fam Med.  1999 Oct;20(10):1179-1196.

Theoretical approaches to facilitate health promotion practice in primary health care setting

• Lee MS

Abstract

As a result of cumulative experience in the fields of health education and health promotion, theories related to health behavior have made remarkable progress over the last two decades. In addition to examining the impact of psychological and behavioral factors on health, the field now recognizes the importance of how social, economic, cultural, and political factors influence health behaviors. Health promotion activities now combine educational and ecological supports for promoting actions and conditions conductive to good health. Theoretical approaches to health promotion facilitate the planning and evaluation of health programs. Effective program requires a systematic, comprehensive, ecological approach and population-based planning as well as an evaluation of program objectives. This paper discuss how theories can contribute to health promotion practices in primary health care settings and suggests ways in which physicians can improve the health of their patients. Physicians today must broaden their role and cannot simply deliver health information which has become accessible through the media and internet. Health promotion theories benefit patient education, physician training, and organization for health promotion. Many physicians are not familiar with theories of health behavior based on strategies and methods developed from social science as well as health science. But thes can easily be rectified through a greater awareness of the contribution theories can makd to the field, and through additional educational supports which can allow physicians to make use of theories in their health pormotion practices.

MeSH Terms

Community Health Planning
Health Behavior
Health Education
Health Promotion*
Humans
Internet
Patient Education as Topic
Politics
Primary Health Care*
Social Sciences