Physical Resilience

In an adverse situation resilience is the key characteristic that allows people to pull through and even thrive despite risks. Resilience is characterised as the ability to bounce back, recover quickly, or the ability to work well and adapt under pressure (Hoppes, 2011). This essay will outline the different forms of resilience required to cope with trauma resulting from physical injury or an event that causes psychological strain. It will also discuss some of the risk and protective factors that contribute to resilience for health professionals and patients.

Physical resilience occurs when a patient is able to rehabilitate after an event that caused significant physical damage or when a patient is able to cope with a chronic illness. Injuries

If an individual already practices protective factors when an event occurs they are able to rely on them to help them cope. Positive thinking and optimism are protective factors that benefit patients because they are capable of seeing their future improvement. In the case of chronic illness optimism gives patients the ability to endure and focus less on themselves, recognising those who are worse off. More often when people have self-confidence, are optimistic, practise expectance or have some kind of faith they are more resilient and cope better (Ringel, Brandell, 2012). Resourcefulness and problem solving skills in an individual enables them to grasp the situation and make appropriate decisions. This is especially important for health providers, allowing them to have good communication and cognitive appraisal under stress. Social connecting has a major protective factor that impacts on not only psychosocial function but physical health as well (Hopkins, Shepherd, Taylor, Zubrick, 2012). It is for this reason that health professionals practice interactive and educational care, attempting to involve the patient’s family members and loved