In this chapter, the central concepts of health, person, environment, nursing, and caring will be explored. Theoretical emphasis will be placed on theories related to the development of therapeutic relationships, modes of effective communication, and nursing therapeutics.

1. Chapter four
Theoretical foundations in Nursing
practice
Omar Osman Eid
Lecturer
Faculty of Medicine & Health Science
Somali National University

2. Nursing foundation
 Theory is the
foundation for the
art and science of
Nursing

3. Theory
 Theory helps explain an event or a
phenomenon by
 Defining ideas and concepts
Explaining relationships among concepts

4. Nursing Theory
Nursing theory is a conceptualization of some
aspect of nursing that describes, explains,
predicts, or prescribes nursing care

5. The domain of Nursing
 The Domain of Nursing is the perspective of a
profession or professional territory.

6. Nursing Paradigm
 A paradigm is a pattern of thought that is
useful in describing the domain of a discipline.
 The paradigm of nursing includes four links:
the person, health, environment/situation,
and nursing

7. Example of Nursing Paradigms
Person
(Recipient of
Care)
Health
(defined by
person)
Environmen
t/Situation
Nursing
actions

8. Components of a theory
• A theory contains a set of concepts,
definitions, and assumptions or propositions
that explain a phenomenon.

9. Phenomenon
 Nursing theories focus on the phenomena of
nursing and nursing care. A phenomenon is
the term, description, or label given to
describe an idea or responses about an event.
 Examples include caring, self-care, and patient
responses to stress.

10. Concepts.
• A theory also consists of interrelated
concepts. These concepts can be simple or
complex and relate to an object or event that
comes from individual perceptual experiences

11. Definitions
 The definitions within a theory communicate
the general meaning of the concepts.

12. Assumptions
 Assumptions are the “taken-for-granted”
statements that explain the nature of the
concepts, definitions, purpose, relationships,
and structure of a theory

13. Types of Theory
Grand theories
 Systematic and broad in scope, complex, and
therefore require further specification through
research.
 A grand theory does not provide guidance for
specific nursing interventions; but it provides
the structural framework for a broad and
abstract ideas about nursing.
 e.g. Neuman’s systems model

15. Cont..
Middle-range theories
 Are more limited in scope and less abstract.
They address a specific phenomenon and
reflect practice

16. Cont..
Descriptive theories
 Are the first level of theory development.
They describe phenomena, identifies
circumstances in which phenomena occur

17. Cont..
Prescriptive theories address nursing
interventions for a phenomenon, describe the
conditions under which the prescription (i.e.,
nursing interventions) occurs, and predict the
consequences

18. SELECTED NURSING THEORIES
• Definitions and theories of nursing can help
you understand the practice of nursing.
selected theories and their concepts

19. Florence Nightingale’s Environmental
Theory
Florence
Nightingale’s
Environmental
Theory defined
Nursing as “the act
of utilizing the
environment of the
patient to assist
him in his
recovery.”

20. Peplau’s theory
 Hildegard E. Peplau’s theory defined Nursing
as “An interpersonal process of therapeutic
interactions between an individual who is sick
or in need of health services and a nurse
especially educated to recognize, respond to
the need for help.”

22. Peplau’s theory
Orientation phase
The orientation phase is directed by the nurse
and involves engaging the client in treatment,
providing explanations and information, and
answering questions.
Identification phase
The identification phase begins when the client
works interdependently with the nurse,
expresses feelings, and begins to feel stronger.

23. Cont..
Exploitation phase (working phase)
In the exploitation phase, the client makes full use
of the services offered.
Resolution (termination) phase
In the resolution phase, the client no longer needs
professional services and gives up dependent
behavior. The patients needs have already been
met by the collaborative effect of patient and nurse

25. REVIEW QUESTIONS
• Which of the following are components of the
paradigm of nursing?
A. The person, health, environment, and theory
B. Health, theory, concepts, and environment
C. Nurses, physicians, health, and patient needs
D. The person, health, environment/situation,
and nursing

26. Cont..
• A theory is a set of concepts, definitions,
relationships, and assumptions that:
A. Formulate legislation.
B. Explain a phenomenon.
C. Measure nursing functions.
D. Reflect the domain of nursing practice.

27. Chapter five
Health and Wellness
Omar Osman Eid
Lecturer
FAMHS. JUS

28. Definition of Health
• Defining health is difficult.
• The World Health Organization (WHO) defines
health as a “state of complete physical,
mental, and social well-being, not merely the
absence of disease or infirmity”
• But Each person has a personal concept of
Health.

29. MODELS OF HEALTH AND ILLNESS
• A model is a theoretical way of understanding
a concept or idea.
• Models represent different ways of
approaching complex issues. Because health
and illness are complex concepts, models are
used to understand the relationships between
these concepts and the patient’s attitudes
toward health and health behaviors.

30. Health Belief Model
 Health belief model (Fig. 6-1) addresses the
relationship between a person’s beliefs and
behaviors. The health belief model helps you
understand factors influencing patients’
perceptions, beliefs, and behavior to plan care
that will most effectively assist patients in
maintaining or restoring health and
preventing illness

31. Continued