Nursing and Theory
The theorist I selected was Faye G. Abdellah, her theory is based on a problem-solving approach with the key element being that the nurse correctly identifies nursing problems. Abdellah and her colleagues developed the Typology of 21 Nursing Problems, the problems were classified into three categories: physical, sociological, and emotional needs, these categories help to determine patient needs (George, 2002).
I used Chinn and Kramer’s model to critically reflect on this theory (Meleis, 2012, p. 184). In doing so, I found that the list of 21 nursing problems are simplistic and easy to follow and are based on what is thought to be common patient problems. It is stated that if the list of problems are addressed then most like the patient is thoroughly assessed (George, 2002). One impediment I noted is that the nurse is limited to a list of 21 problems.
In terms of generality, the list of problems is not specific to a certain population or clinical area. The theory is general enough to be applied to any patient under any clinical setting. The theory is also broad enough be borrowed by other entities to focus on the patient’s psychological and emotional needs (Marriner, 1986).
The typology of 21 nursing problems was created through extensive research. One study performed focused on teaching methods of indentifying covert nursing problems (Abdellah, 1957). Various schools were used to test the usefulness of the typology and Patient-centered Approaches to Nursing described how different areas of nursing, including education, could implement this theory (Abdellah, Beland, Martin, & Matheney, 1960).
Even though the term patient-centered approach is contradicted when the list of nursing-centered problems were developed, this theory had a great impact to the nursing profession. Because of Abdellah’s theory nursing shifted its focus towards holistic care. The typology of 21 nursing problems gives the nurse a systematic and organized approach to nursing care (Abdellah
I used Chinn and Kramer’s model to critically reflect on this theory (Meleis, 2012, p. 184). In doing so, I found that the list of 21 nursing problems are simplistic and easy to follow and are based on what is thought to be common patient problems. It is stated that if the list of problems are addressed then most like the patient is thoroughly assessed (George, 2002). One impediment I noted is that the nurse is limited to a list of 21 problems.
In terms of generality, the list of problems is not specific to a certain population or clinical area. The theory is general enough to be applied to any patient under any clinical setting. The theory is also broad enough be borrowed by other entities to focus on the patient’s psychological and emotional needs (Marriner, 1986).
The typology of 21 nursing problems was created through extensive research. One study performed focused on teaching methods of indentifying covert nursing problems (Abdellah, 1957). Various schools were used to test the usefulness of the typology and Patient-centered Approaches to Nursing described how different areas of nursing, including education, could implement this theory (Abdellah, Beland, Martin, & Matheney, 1960).
Even though the term patient-centered approach is contradicted when the list of nursing-centered problems were developed, this theory had a great impact to the nursing profession. Because of Abdellah’s theory nursing shifted its focus towards holistic care. The typology of 21 nursing problems gives the nurse a systematic and organized approach to nursing care (Abdellah
References: George, J. B. (2002). Nursing theories: the base for professional nursing practice. Upper Saddle River, N.J.: Prentice Hall. Meleis, A.I. (2012). Theoretical Nursing Development & Progress (5 ed.). Philadelphia, PA. Lipincott Williams & Wilkins. Marriner, A. (1986). Nursing Theories and Their Work. St. Louis, MO.: Mosby. Abdellah, F. G. (1957). Methods of identifying covert aspects of nursing problems; a key to improved clinical teaching. Nursing Research, 6(1), 4-23. Abdellah, F. G., Beland, I. I., Martin, A., & Matheney, R. V. (1960). Patient-centered approaches in nursing. New York: Macmillan.