Neuman's System Model

Paper Summary:

In this article, the writer explains that the Neuman's System Model for nursing is a construct developed to explain the interconnected nature of personal variables and the prevention measures of the nurse to help the patient achieve a balance in his or her care and his or her life. The writer notes that the five person variables, as defined by Neuman are physiological; the structure and function of the body, psychological; the mental state and emotions, sociocultural; relationships, cultural expectations and activities, spiritual; one's spiritual beliefs and developmental; the process of development which occurs continually. Each person variable is interconnected and dependant upon the others, which work in congruence to achieve balance. The writer concludes that the model also stresses prevention, as a core value, something that is sometimes seen as lacking in modern medical care, which is so highly incensed on curing disease rather than preventing it or better empowering individuals to take responsibility for the work they must do for themselves and the community they inhabit.

From the Paper:

"The Neuman system theory is clearly an inclusive system, as it acknowledges nearly every aspect of the individual, and his or her environment. The system also acknowledged that the nurse has a specific role, not to facilitate healing, as this is clearly something the individual must do independently but to prevent additional stressors from affecting the individual, by controlling the environment and the input and output issues the individual is dealing with, while trying to restore balance. The role of the patient, to heal and restore balance and the role of the nurse are clearly defined, by the system and it is the job of the nurse to anticipate needs and opportunities for prevention. The system has even been applied to educating nurses and the education model of prevention as the roles of the nurse."

Sample of Sources Used:

• Heyman, Patrick & Wolfe, Sandra. "Neumans System Model: Key Concepts" website at: http://www.patheyman.com/essays/neuman/concepts.htm (2000)
• Peternelj-Taylor, Cindy A., and Richard Johnson. "Custody and Caring: Clinical Placement of Student Nurses in a Forensic Setting." Perspectives in Psychiatric Care 32.4 (1996): 23.
• Sheppard, Michael. Mental Health Work in the Community: Theory and Practice in Social Work and Community Psychiatric Nursing. London: Falmer Press, 1991.
• Wilson, Linette C. "Implementation and Evaluation of Church-Based Health Fairs." Journal of Community Health Nursing 17.1 (2000): 39-48.

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