SHIFTING ATTENTION FROM OBJECTIVE RISK-FACTORS TO PATIENTS SELF-ASSESSED HEALTH RESOURCES - CLINICAL-MODEL FOR GENERAL-PRACTICE

The study was designed to present and apply theoretical and empirical knowledge for the construction of a clinical model intended to shift t he attention of the general practitioner from objective risk factors t o self-assessed health resources in male and female patients. Review, discussion and analysis of selected theoretical models about personal health resources involving assessing existing theories according to th eir emphasis concerning self-assessed vs. doctor-assessed health resou rces, specific health resources vs. life and coping in general, abstra ct vs. clinically applicable theory, gender perspective explicitly inc luded or not. Relevant theoretical models on health and coping (saluto genesis, coping and social support, control/demand, locus of control, health belief model, quality of life), and the perspective of the unde rprivileged Other (critical theory, feminist standpoint theory, the pa tient-centred clinical method) were presented and assessed. Components from Antonovsky's salutogenetic perspective and McWhinney's patient-c entred clinical method, supported by gender perspectives, were integra ted to a clinical model which is presented. General practitioners are recommended to shift: their attention from objective risk factors to s elf-assessed health resources by means of the clinical model. The rele vance and feasibility of the model should be explored in empirical res earch.