GUIDE
General Systems Theory- Ludwig von Bertalanffy (1936) - A common framework for
studying several similar disciplines would allow scientists and scholars to organize and
communicate findings, making it easier to build on the work of others.
Components of Systems - -Input: material that enters a system
-Throughput: processes a system uses to convert material
-Output: end result or product of the system
-Evaluation: measures the success or failure of the output
-Feedback: information given back into the system to determine whether the purpose or
end result of the system has been achieved
Hospital as a System - The success of the hospital depends on the functioning of many
subsystems
First: The whole is different from and greater than the sum of its parts (its subsystems).
Second: Synergy occurs when all the various subsystems work together to create a
result that is not independently achievable.
Supra-system - The larger environment outside the system
An OPEN system - promotes the exchange of matter, energy, and information with
other systems and the environment.
A CLOSED system - does not interact with other systems or with the surrounding
environment
Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs - 1) Physiologic needs - food, oxygen, rest, activity,
shelter, and sexual expression
2) Physical and psychological safety and security - reasonably predictable environment
with which one has some familiarity and relative freedom from fear and chaos
3) Love and belonging - close intimate relations, social relations, a place in the social
structure
4) Self-esteem - need to feel self-worth, self-respect, and self-reliance
5) Self actualization - realized maximum potential
Various environmental systems: - family, cultural, social, poverty, community/gloabl
WHO's definition of health: - a state of complete physical, mental, and social well-being
and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity
, Healthy People 2020 - addresses a small set of health issues that are significant threats
to the health and the public.
26 leading health indicators. These indicators are organized into 12 topic areas on
quality of life, healthy behaviors, and healthy human development across the life span.
Health Beliefs Model
Rosenstock (1966, 1990) - = "why some people change their health behaviors while
others do not."
Three components:
1. An evaluation of one's vulnerability to a condition and the seriousness of that
condition
2. An evaluation of how effective the health maintenance behavior might be
3. The presence of a trigger event that precipitates the health maintenance behavior
Self-Efficacy Concept
Bandura (1997) - Self-efficacy is the belief in oneself as having the ability to modify
behavior
Four components for effective lifestyle change:
1) Information
2) Skill development
3) Skill enhancement through guided practice and feedback
4) Creating social supports for change
Also described a type of socialization, modeling, which is useful when learning any new
behavior (1977).
Locus of control: - People tend to be influenced by either internal or external view of
control.
-Health is internally controlled. Belief that health is controlled by what they themselves
do.
OR
-Health is externally controlled. Belief that health is determined by outside factors.
Holistic nursing care: - nourishes the whole person - the body, mind, and spirit.
Eight factors contribute to holistic approach to nursing:
1) Nursing is an open system
2) Nursing is the provision of health care services
3) Nursing involves collaborating with patients and their families
4) Nursing is integrally involved with people