A PERCEPTION-BASED APPROACH TO HEALTHCARE: UNDERSTANDING PERSPECTIVES FOR IMPROVED OUTCOMES

Abstract

This study investigates the various ways that different populations in the US and Spain define and perceive health. Given the global increase in chronic illnesses, it is critical to comprehend how attitudes affect health outcomes in order to enhance our healthcare systems. The treatment approaches for two very common diseases, knee osteoarthritis and hypertension, in the US and Spain are practically compared. This is followed by an analysis of the various perspectives on an individual's own health and the functionality of our various healthcare structures. Through information gathered from interviews and surveys, I hope to reveal the impact of perceptions on our health by understanding questions like, “What factors affect your health the most? Who is responsible for maintaining your health? Which segments of healthcare do you trust the most?” In light of these personal, cultural, and social contexts shaping health perceptions, recommendations like enhancing telehealth infrastructure and fostering greater citizen-government engagement are made to individuals, doctors, and the government. Ultimately, this paper seeks to empower individuals to reflect on their own definitions of what it means to be healthy and what they hope to gain from treatment.