Introduction. Concept Statement: Human Being in Nursing Theory
Human beings are regarded as open energy fields, possessing unique experiences. They could be placed in broader contexts and, therefore, they differ from the unity of their parts that are impossible to predict based on knowledge of separate parts.
As holistic beings, humans are represented as sentient, dynamic, and multidimensional entities who are capable of creativity, abstract reasoning, self-responsibility, and aesthetic appreciation. Further, human could also be considered unique individualities due to the peculiarities of language, caring, and empathy patterns that a person employs while interacting in a social environment.
From spiritual and moral viewpoints, humans are defined as valued, respected persons who are understood with the right to making choices concerning their health. All these dimensions of concept analysis are considered in various theories, particularly in Johnson’s Behavior System Model and Science of Unitary Human Being.
Describing the Concept within Two Nursing Theories
Johnson’s Behavior System
Metaparadigms
According to Dorothy Johnson, the founder of the behavior system model, human beings should be evaluated from the perspective of two main systems: the behavior system and the biological one. The task of the medicine consists in resorting to the biological system, whereas the main scope of nursing is confined to focusing on the behavioral system (Theoretical Foundation of Nursing, 2011).
At this point, the concept of human being could be regarded as the behavioral model that seeks to make constant adaptations to maintain, regain, or achieve balance to the state that implies the adjustment process.
Philosophies
According to Johnson’s Behavioral System Model, nursing focuses on promoting efficient behavioral functioning of a patient for the purpose of noticing and preventing illness. At this point, the patient is presented as a behavioral system that consists of seven subsystems, including dependency, affiliative, ingestive, sexual, eliminative, achievement, and aggressive (Theoretical Foundation of Nursing, 2011).
There are three functional requirements that imply protection from harmful influence, motivation for growth, and insurance of a nurturing environment. The failure of any of the described systems can lead to disequilibrium. At this point, the main role of nurses lies in assisting the patients in sustaining the balance.
Additionally, it should be stressed that the theory focuses solely on individual level and, therefore, its basic concept does not cover families, relatives, groups and communities (Theoretical Foundation of Nursing, 2011). The main concept defines how a person’s behavior is represented in terms of psychological development.
Classifying various types of behavior within the proposed seven subsystems allows nurses to work out specific interventions. The quality of case provided by the nurse can be diminished as a result of fractionalized care that does not support a holistic approach to treating an individual.
Conceptual Model
The nursing model is used to measure the patient progress along with the managerial determination of the personnel levels. The importance of the proposed model is applicable to both nurses and their patients and relies on developing new classification systems in which all behavioral components matter for insuring high quality of health care delivery.
There are several underpinnings for applying to Johnson’s Behavioral System Model. First, the theory could be employed in combination with other theories, such as social learning theory (Meleis, 2011). Second, it could also be introduced with regard to various clinical settings, with emphasis placed on bio-psychological, social, and cultural factors (Meleis, 2011). Finally, the model contributes to identifying universal patterns of behavior.
Science of Unitary Human Being
Metaparadigms
Within the theory of unitary human being, an individual is defined as “an irreducible, indivisible, pan-dimensional energy field identified by pattern and manifesting characteristics that are specific to the whole and which cannot be predicted from knowledge of the parts” (Dossey and Keegan, 2008 p. 534-535). Human being is also identified with the energy field that shapes the core unit of the nonliving and the living.
The field is a holistic concept that underlines the dynamic nature of the energy field. Therefore, the latter is represented as infinite, continuous motion. Additional, the theorist Martha Rogers defines a person as an open system that interacts with the environment and exchange information with it.
Philosophies
Assigning the above-introduced concept to the therapeutic practices, it is purposeful to consider the value of the theory to improving communication. Within this context, Roger’s definition also changes our thinking to consider communication as an exchange of energy fields. Roger’s assumptions seek to entertain the fact that human interaction can be extended beyond spatial and temporal dimensions.
Conceptual Model
The principle of integrality is also embedded into Roger’s holistic model in terms of the nature of communication strategies. At this point, integrality is presented as a continuous environmental and human field process and, therefore, an individual and environment are constantly exchanging their energies. In other words, all behaviors, thoughts, and emotions influence each other, creating social and cultural environment.
There are four concepts introducing Roger’s system: pattern, energy fields, openness, and pan-dimensionality. In addition to these four elements, Rogers introduces the aspects of homeodynamics that focus on “a way of perceiving human beings and their environment in which changes reflect the mutual process of the two” (Bramlett, Gueldner, & Boettcher, 2008, p. 10).
Although, Roger’s model is a relatively abstract system, in which humans are perceived as the sum of energy interacting with the external environment, it still depends on social and cultural backgrounds of these humans, shaping the foundation for nursing professionals.
Applying the Concept to the Nursing Practice
Nursing currently faces challenges of the emergence of new theoretical frameworks, models, and sciences that influence nurses responses to the therapeutic approaches. The modern theoretical frameworks have been classified into different paradigms in terms of philosophical underpinnings. There is a serious controversy about which theory and model is most valid in nursing science (Bramlett et al. 2008).
As soon as the consensus is reached, it is possible to foster progress of theories by relying on the main concept at issue. At this point, science of Unitary Human Beings seems to be the most effective in disclosing the main aspects of nursing practice (Bramlett et al. 2008).
Specifically, the science deviates significantly from the traditionally accepted concepts due to viewing humans as holistic, integral beings whose social, emotional, and cultural dimensions are closely intertwined.
Unlike Johnson’s behavioral system model, which relies primarily on behavioral system of a person, Rogerian principle of treating an individual can be carried out in a broader context. In particular, it is important for a nurse to understand the environment in which a patient interacts and socializes with other people (Bramlett et al. 2008).
Perceiving a person in a continuous dynamics contributes greatly to the analysis of person’s psychological and emotional wellbeing. Therefore, Johnson’s model is too concise and context-independent and, therefore, it prevents nurses from understanding the patient’s background (Bramlett et al. 2008). Besides, relying solely on a patient’s behavior does not allow nurses to understand the nature of those behavioral patterns.
Comparing to One Model and Best Nursing Practices
The model could be applied both in learning psychological nature of patients, as well as in exploring how environmental factors influence human behavior. In this respect, Bramlett et al. (2008) states, “subject in an environment of high frequency sounds would demonstrate greater increases in vividness and creativity of imagery than would subjects in a low-frequency sound environment” (p. 16).
While testing the integrality principle, specific emphasis is placed on the connected between different harmonic environment and passiveness of patients confined to bed.
At this point, understanding restfulness “will be lower…for confined subjects who experience varied harmonic auditory input than for those who experience quiet ambience” (Bramlett et al., 2008, p. 16). Therefore, the Science of Unitary Human Beings can serve as a solid framework for managing information and highlighting the development of new pattern displays.
Conclusion
The emergence of innovative methodologies increases the importance of Rogerian model of perceiving human beings, as well as expand philosophical analysis approving the use of various paradigms. Specifically, the theory allows the theorists and nurses to grasp broader sense of the community and its role in treating individuals.
Additionally, the Science of Unitary Human beings creates a consistent framework for regarding human being as holistic entities. The theory also ensures therapeutic value of the framework in terms of holistic communication patterns worked out specifically to deal with nursing practice.
References
Bramlett, M. H., Gueldner, S. H., & Boettcher, J. H. (2008). Reflections on the Science of Unitary Human Beings in Terms of Kuhn’s Requirement for Explanatory Power. Visions: The Journal of Rogerian Nursing Science, 15(2), 7-22.
Dossey, B. & Keegan, L. (2008). Holistic Nursing: A Handbook for Practice. US: Jones & Bartlett Learning.
Meleis, A. I. (2011). Theoretical Nursing: Development and Progress. US: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins.
Theoretical Foundation of Nursing (2011). Dorothy Johnson. The Behavioral System Model. Web.