The evolving concept of health in nursing research: 1988-1998

This article concerns the evolution of the concept of health, as reported i n selected nursing journals, over the last 10 years. It builds on an analys is reported by Reynolds [Reynolds CL. The measurement of health in nursing research. Adv Nurs Sci 1988;10(4):23-31.] who initially investigated the co ncept of health and the means by which it was measured during the period 19 77-1987. Using the same journals as Reynolds, the methodology of systematic review is used to analyse the way in which health is defined, the frequenc y with which it is investigated and the means by which it is measured, and these data are compared with Reynolds findings. The results indicate that; three times as many studies have been conducted in the last 10 years, a mor e holistic concept of health has emerged, and the instruments used are beco ming more sophisticated. These findings are discussed and the implications for patient education and health care professionals considered. (C) 2001 El sevier Science Ireland Ltd. Ail rights reserved.