Part 1
Explain how theoretical models can be used to construct plans of care for individuals, families, and populations of various socio-economic and cultural backgrounds.
In our multicultural society, providing quality health care for a person requires that the nurses understand how the patient’s socio-cultural background affects his health beliefs and behavior . Most nursing theorists like Leninger, Nightingale, Roy and Rogers have pushed the limits of providing health care by taking into consideration factors that influence a patient’s health and well-being. These include the environment, the situation they are facing and the communities they belong to. These nursing theories focus directly on the patient and how they react to the stimuli around them. It has been observed that these dimensions are often not given enough attention when providing care. However, these factors are important matters that a nurse should be able to uncover in their assessment before planning for their care.
A person is a biological, psychological, social and spiritual being therefore the physical, mental and environmental factors are to be studied to provide a holistic picture of the patient . Several theorists draw their theories from actual experiences in the field. The availability of basic needs such as water, air, sufficient food and shelter directly affects a person’s health and his ability to combat disease. A nurse’s awareness of the cultural beliefs and behavior is also an added insight on how a patient will react to his plan of care. It is therefore, a good practice to include the patient in determining their health progress and well-being. Nursing theorists have all claimed that care for a person is unique and a case-by-case basis. There is no blanket care for persons as each brings forth different concerns that they pull from their situation and environment.
Part 2
- What theories can further improve care towards individuals with poor socio-economic status?
Sister Callista Roy’s Adaptation Model states that a person is a part of a whole that constantly interacts with its ever changing environment which includes groups such as families, organizations and communities. A person will have to adapt to everyday challenges by using mechanisms innate and learned. A nurse would have to take into account the external factors that make health and well-being easy or difficult for a person. All conditions that are present and affecting the person must be given particular consideration for them to be able to cope with their health issues .
In Nightingale’s Environment Theory, the focus is on the patient rather than the nursing process itself . The nurse would have to take into consideration the uniqueness of each patient and the situation and environment they are in. The Environment Theory identified factors that affect health as fresh air, pure water, sufficient food supplies, efficient drainage, cleanliness of the patient and the environment and light. The absence of these factors greatly affects the patient’s health and ability to recuperate.
In planning nursing care for patients with low socio-economic status, a nurse must bear these two theories in mind. Assessment of the patient must include factors that might not be readily apparent but would need a closer connection and investigation. A nurse has the responsibility to adapt the nursing care plan to fit the need of the individual patients.
- What theories can help improve patient care plans as it relates to their cultural beliefs and why is addressing this important?
Leninger’s Theory of Culture Care Diversity and Universality applies harmony in an individual’s cultural beliefs, practices and values in the provision of care. This is a conscious effort to incorporate culture care concepts to improve the quality of patient care by making it more holistic and personal.
The society to which the patient belongs has a culture in which a vast amount of beliefs, traditions and practices are embedded. These cultural considerations are important in developing care that is congruent and appropriate for a person. The role of the nurse is to bridge the generic/folk care with professional care. This will pose a challenge as both are markedly different but it is needed if the nurse intends to give care that is acceptable and sustainable to the patient.
The difference in our cultures will demand that nurses take special caution not to make a cultural imposition on the patients. It is a natural tendency for health care workers to impose their own beliefs and values to other people and groups. Therefore, it is important that cultural competence has been provided in the nursing academe and consequently exercised by the nurses in the clinical and community setting. It is important that nurses acknowledge these cultural differences in their diagnosis, assessment, planning, implementation and evaluation of care. They would need to have utmost clinical judgment and critical thinking to allow an evolving nursing care that is sensitive and responsive to the patient’s needs and wants .
References
Theory of Florence Nightingale. (2012, January 31). Retrieved July 3, 2014, from Nursing Theories: http://currentnursing.com/nursing_theory/Florence_Nightingale_theory.html
Carillo, J., Green, A. R., & Betancourt, J. R. (1990). Cross-Cultural Primary Care: A Patient-Based Approach. Annals of Internal Medicine, 829-834.
Roy, C. (1984). Introduction to Nursing: An Adaptation Model. American Journal of Nursing, 1331.
Sagar, P. (2012). Trancultural Nursing Theory and Models . New York City: Springer Publishing Company, LLC.
Selanders, L. C. (2010). The Power of Environmental Adaptation: Florence Nightingale's Original Theory for Nursing Practice. Journal of Holistic Nursing, 81-88.
