Health/Illness Belief Assessment Tool Assessment Identify patient’s age, gender, cultural background, religious affiliation and compare to your personal information. Discuss the patient’s support system (family and community). Who does the patient consult for information and assistance related to health needs? What are your personal beliefs regarding support systems related to the patient’s level of support? Discuss the patient’s perception of the personal level of health and wellness. Compare the patient’s perception of the nurse’s belief of the patient’s level of health. What are the patient’s beliefs or concerns related to hereditary health issues in their family or culture? Compare the patient’s beliefs or concerns with the nurse’s personal beliefs. Patient’s health/illness beliefs, values, attitudes, and practices The nurse’s beliefs. (You are the nurse). Comparison. Explain what is similar and/or different between you and the patient? Health/Illness Belief Assessment Tool What would trigger a visit to a health care provider? Compare the patient’s beliefs to the nurse’s personal beliefs. What type of health care provider would they seek for primary health care? Compare to the nurse’s personal beliefs. When would they visit a health care provider for pain issues? What level of pain would trigger a visit, and what type of provider would they visit for pain? Compare to the nurse’s personal beliefs. When would they visit a health care provider for mental health issues? What would they consider a mental health issue? What type of provider would they visit for mental health issues? Compare with the nurse’s personal beliefs. How do personal, familial, cultural, or religious beliefs impact choices of foods and nutrition? Who do they consult for nutritional information? Compare with the nurse’s personal beliefs. Health/Illness Belief Assessment Tool What barriers does the patient perceive in accessing care for health (pain, mental and physical health) or nutritional needs? Compare with the nurse’s personal beliefs. How might knowledge of this patient’s beliefs impact your plan of care for this patient? How will this knowledge assist your ability to provide evidence-based, patientcentered, culturally competent care? References