The concept of Positive Health for students/lecturers in the Netherlands

Abstract

ABSTRACTIntroduction: The future healthcare workforce are expected to serve as role models given that their roles cover patient education concerning positive health behavior. In light of the changes in healthcare, towards patient centered care and positive health, the need to encourage students of health sciences to adopt the concept of positive health will be necessary.Aim: To explore the attitudes of lecturers and students of health to the new concept of Positive Health, using the 6 domains, in Dutch health education systems with different health care professionals.Methods: A cross-sectional study comparing the perception towards health in students and lecturers of the health department of an Applied University in the Netherlands with the data of patients and other stakeholders.Results: Students scored aspects of social participation, mental functioning and daily functioning as less important compared to patients. Lecturers scored the aspects of bodily functions and daily functioning less important compared to patients.Conclusion: These differences in scores should be addressed in educational programs of health professionals because all aspects of health are important to the patient’s experienced health.