a brief introduction to nursing theories

2. Concept
A mental idea of a phenomenon
Concepts are the building blocks (the
primary elements) of a theory.

3. Concepts…….
 Concepts are basically vehicles of thought
that involve images.
 Concepts are words that describe objects,
properties, or events and are basic
components of theory.
 Types of Concepts:
 Empirical concepts
 Inferential concepts
 Abstract concepts.

4. Empirical concept
 Relying on or derived from observation or
experiment. Verifiable or provable by means
of observation or experiment:

5. Inferential concept
 Inferential theories of concepts hold that they
are individuated by reference to their
relationships with other concepts. These may
be causal, functional, computational,
inferential, or associative.
 A concept such as WATER is individuated by
its reference to concepts such as CLEAR,
DRINKABLE, and LIQUID

6. Abstract Concept
 Abstract ideas are concepts that need to
be visualized, as they cannot be illustrated
through concrete (real) examples.
 Eg:explaining the progression of logic in a
(computer) program will be possible only
if the reader can correctly visualize
(imagine) it in his mind.

7.  Construct
A phenomena that cannot be observed and
must be inferred
Constructs are concepts developed or
adopted for use in a particular theory. The
key concepts of a given theory are its
constructs.
 Proposition
A statement of relationship between
concepts

8.  Variables
 Variables are the operational forms of
constructs. They define the way a
construct is to be measured in a specific
situation.

9. Models
 Models are representations of the interaction
among and between the concepts showing
patterns
 Models allow the concepts in nursing theory to
be successfully applied to nursing practice.
 They provide an overview of the thinking
behind the theory and may demonstrate how
theory can be introduced into practice, for
example, through specific methods of
assessment.

10. Conceptual model
 Made up of concepts and propositions
 They represent ways of thinking about a
problem or ways of representing how
complex things work the way that they do.
 Models may draw on a number of theories
to help understand a particular problem in
a certain setting or context. They are not
always as specified as theory

11. Conceptual Models of Nursing
 Conceptual models are composed of abstract
and general concepts and propositions that
provide a frame of reference for members of
a discipline.
 This frame of reference determines how the
world is viewed by members of a discipline
and guides the members as they propose
questions and make observations .
 A conceptual model is specifically defined as
a set of concepts and statements that
integrate the concepts into a meaningful
configuration

12. Theory
 A set of related statements that describes or
explains phenomena in a systematic way.
 The doctrine or the principles underlying an
art as distinguished from the practice of that
particular art.
 A formulated hypothesis or, loosely
speaking, any hypothesis or opinion not
based upon actual knowledge.

13. CHARACTERISTICS OF THEORIES
 Interrelate concepts in such a way as to create a
different way of looking at a particular phenomenon.
 Are logical in nature.
 Are generalizable.
 Are the bases for hypotheses that can be tested.
 Increase the general body of knowledge within the
discipline through the research implemented to
validate them.
 Are used by the practitioners to guide and improve
their practice.
 Are consistent with other validated theories, laws,
and principles but will leave open unanswered
questions that need to be investigated

14. Nursing Theory
 Nursing theory is the term given to the body of
knowledge that is used to support nursing practice.
 Nursing theory is a framework designed to organize
knowledge and explain phenomena in nursing, at a
more concrete and specific level.
 A nursing theory is a set of concepts, definitions,
relationships, and assumptions or propositions
derived from nursing models or from other
disciplines and project a purposive, systematic view
of phenomena by designing specific inter-
relationships among concepts for the purposes of
describing, explaining, predicting, and /or
prescribing.
 Each discipline has a unique focus for knowledge
development that directs its inquiry and distinguishes
it from other fields of study.

15. IMPORTANCE OF NURSING THEORIES
 Nursing theory aims to describe, predict and explain
the phenomenon of nursing (Chinn and Jacobs1978).
 It should provide the foundations of nursing practice,
help to generate further knowledge and indicate in
which direction nursing should develop in the future
(Brown 1964).
 Theory is important because it helps us to decide
what we know and what we need to know
(Parsons1949).
 It helps to distinguish what should form the basis of
practice by explicitly describing nursing.
 This can be seen as an attempt by the nursing
profession to maintain its professional boundaries.

17. Depending on the generalisability of their
principles
 Metatheory: the theory of theory. Identifies
specific phenomena through abstract
concepts.
 a theory concerned with the
investigation, analysis, or description of
theory itself.

18.  Grand theory: provides a conceptual
framework under which the key concepts and
principles of the discipline can be identified.
 Middle range theory: is more precise and
only analyses a particular situation with a
limited number of variables.
 Practice theory: explores one particular
situation found in nursing. It identifies explicit
goals and details how these goals will be
achieved.

19. Theories can also be categorised
as:
 "Needs "theories.
 "Interaction" theories.
 "Outcome "theories.
 "Humanistic theories"

20. Needs" theories
 These theories are based around
helping individuals to fulfill their physical
and mental needs.
 Needs theories have been criticized for
relying too much on the medical model
of health and placing the patient in an
overtly dependent position.

21.  Abdellah
 Henderson
 Orem

22. "Outcome" theories
 These portray the nurse as the changing
force, who enables individuals to adapt to
or cope with ill health (Roy 1980).
 Outcome theories have been criticized as
too abstract and difficult to implement in
practice (Aggleton and Chalmers 1988).

23.  Johnson
 Levine
 Rogers
 Roy

24. "Interaction" theories
 These theories revolve around the
relationships nurses form with
patients.
 Such theories have been criticized for
largely ignoring the medical model of
health and not attending to basic
physical needs.

25.  King
 Orlando
 Peterson and Zderad
 Paplau
 Travelbee
 Wiedenbach

26. Humanistic" Theories:
 Humanistic theories developed in response
to the psychoanalytic thought that a person’s
destiny was determined early in life.
 Humanistic theories emphasize a person’s
capacity for self actualization .
 Humanists believes that the person contains
within himself the potential for healthy and
creative growth.

28.  Metaparadigm is defined as: “a set of concepts
and propositions that sets forth the phenomena
with which a discipline is concerned.
 A metaparadigm is the most general statement
of a discipline and functions as a framework in
which the more restricted structures of
conceptual models develop” (Miller-Keane
Dictionary, 2003).
 Another definition is “The concepts that identify
the phenomena of central interest to a discipline;
the propositions that describe those concepts and
their relationships to each other” (Farlex
Dictionary, 2009).
 It’s a global perspective of the discipline.

29. METAPARADIGMS IN NURSING

30. Nursing
 Actions, characteristics and attributes of
person giving care.
 Phenomenon of Nursing: this nursing
metaparadigm concept is related to the art
and science of nursing; it consists of nursing
actions or nursing interventions.
 Think of this concept as what nurses DO.
 This concept includes the nurse applying
professional knowledge, procedural and
technical skills, and indirect and direct
(hands-on) patient care.

31. Person
 Recipient of care, including physical, spiritual,
psychological, and sociocultural components.
 Individual, family, or community
 Phenomenon of Person: nurses provide nursing
care to Persons. The Person is the one receiving
the nursing care. But importantly, Person
is defined according to the recipient of nursing
care (the patient or client) and may include the
patient’s family and friends and the community.
The nurse needs to consider how the patient
defines family when planning care

32. Health
 Degree of wellness or illness experienced by
the person
 Phenomenon of Health: the concept of
health is relative to the person and is defined
according to the patient’s perspective.
 It refers to the patient’s level of wellness
(i.e., the health/wellness-illness continuum)
in all its many aspects: physical,
psychological, mental, intellectual,
emotional, and spiritual. The ability to access
healthcare and resources to support health
and wellness is included.

33. Environment
 All internal and external conditions,
circumstances, and influences affecting the person
 Phenomenon of Environment: While we
typically think of the environment as something
external to us – a setting or place – a person’s
environment is also internal.
 The environment consists of internal, external,
and social factors that impact a patient’s health
(including genetics, immune function, culture,
interpersonal relationships, economics, mental
state, geographic location, education level,
politics, ecology, social status, job or career level,
etc.)