The Metaparadigm of Nursing
Question One
Four metaparadigms define the nursing profession namely person, environment, nursing, and health. They establish the scope and content of this particular practice and lay the foundation for the various nursing theories. The concept of health includes the wellness of patients including access to healthcare. The one of environment refers to both extrinsic and intrinsic factors relating to the patient, while nursing involves the manner the nurse, as a professional, applies his/her knowledge in the daily caring of the patient[A1] . Lastly, the metaparadigm of person refers to the patient or the receiver of nursing care and entails aspects of a person’s values, spirituality, culture, and socioeconomic status (Branch, 2016). It is critical for health providers to apply the four concepts to optimize the quality of nursing care delivery to their patients.
Many people believe that health is the physical wellbeing of an individual, free from diseases or injuries. However, the concept of health is not complete without holistic care tailored to the individual needs of a patient (Branch, 2016). It should also entail the treatment of the spiritual, emotional, and mental health condition of an individual. The metaparadigm of a person portrays a person as a unique one with particular values, cultural beliefs, and ideologies. Therefore, it is important for a nurse not to judge when offering care to a certain patient and not have a pre-conceived mind (Branch, 2016). Health providers should promote respect for the patient and the right to privacy to form a rapport. In this manner, nurses will be able to ensure improved patient experiences. The metaparadigm concept of nursing expands the role of the nurse beyond the idea of knowledge and skills. It sets values and principles in the profession that instill compassion and empathy in the nurse while eliminating personal differences and biases in the delivery of service. Therefore, a nurse should show professionalism when handling a patient. Regarding the metaparadigm of the environment, even though it is critical to establish a safe and healthy environment, a health provider must consider the individual needs of the patient (Branch, 2016). Promoting a safe setting helps in relieving stress and creates a sense of calmness in the patient. A proper health care environment helps in stimulating the patient’s physiological function and addressing their emotional needs.
Question Two
Regarding nursing practice, there is always more than one answer to a situation. For instance, patients are unique individuals with a certain set of values, beliefs, culture, and socio-economic status. Furthermore, the extrinsic and intrinsic environments play a significant role in the development of diseases (Branch, 2016). Nurses should respect the particular views and perceptions of patients, regardless of their differences. Thus, patient management must be from different avenues to promote holistic care.
A atient should be valued as a whole individual, and treating them, a nurse should take into account their mental and social factors, rather than just the symptoms of their disease. Holistic care should address physical, emotional, spiritual, and psychological needs of an individual. For instance, patients should be allowed access to their families as part of care delivery (Branch, 2016). Further, Orem’s concept of self-care emphasizes the importance of patient education and support in ensuring healthy living. Equally, by promoting individualized patient education and support from medical staff, a nurse ensures continuity of care (Branch, 2016). Lastly, respecting patient privacy, autonomy, cultural differences, and beliefs is essential in recognizing the whole person.
Different barriers exist that prevent nurses from delivering patient-centered care. Some of the obstacles include time constraints, traditional structures and practices, and professional attitudes (Moore, 2017). Regarding conventional treatment, some traditional methods limit the freedom to engage with the patient; for instance, some nurses have pre-set goals and work in environment that violates the right to privacy (Moore, 2017). Moreover, time constraints limit the interaction between the patient and the nurse. Finally, personal attitudes of the nurses significantly influence the delivery of services. For example, , some health practitioners may not support the concept of individualized care (Moore, 2017). These barriers not only reduce the quality of care but also hinder the proper treatment of an individual who requires holistic approach to have more effective health results.
References
Branch, C., Deak, H., Hiner, C., & Holzwart, T. (2016). Four Nursing Metaparadigms. IU South Bend Undergraduate Research Journal, 16, 123-132.
Moore, L., Britten, N., Lydahl, D., Naldemirci, Ö, Elam, M., & Wolf, A. (2017). Barriers and facilitators to the implementation of person‐centered care in different healthcare contexts. Scandinavian Journal of Caring Sciences, 31(4), 662-673.
[A1]There is no need to put parenthesis after each following sentence when the source is the same.