Functional mastery of health ownership: A model for optimum health.

The aim of this paper is to introduce the Functional Mastery of Health Ownership (FMHO) model and to develop an operational definition of functional mastery as it applies to a positive health outcome for patients with chronic illness or an altered life situation. Daily functioning within the negative disease burden of chronic illness is the goal of individuals living within the constraints of morbidity. Functional mastery fosters health ownership and helps to predict successful control over life circumstances for optimum wellness within the parameters of the limitations of the effects of illness. Significant to nursing, the FMHO conceptual framework uses four foundational influences to assess a patient's ability to not only master function within the disease process, but also to sustain function and best health over time. The FMHO model provides a tool for practitioners to enable individualized care as patients move through the disease process and adapt to changes over time.