Johnson viewed health as efficient and effective functioning of the system, and as behavioral system balance and stability. Behavioral system balance and stability are demonstrated by observed behavior that is purposeful, orderly, and predictable. Consider a clinical-practice situation that demonstrates Johnson’s model of health. How can the nurse support this theory to return the patient to balance and stability?
Theoretical frameworks play a critical role in guiding nursing practice and ensuring the delivery of optimal patient care. Dorothy E. Johnson, a prominent nurse theorist, developed the Behavioral System Model as a means to understand and promote health and well-being. This model emphasizes the importance of balance and stability within the individual’s behavioral system, viewing health as efficient and effective functioning of the system. In this regard, Johnson’s model provides valuable insights into how nurses can support patients in achieving and maintaining balance and stability.
To fully grasp how the nurse can apply Johnson’s model in a clinical-practice situation, it is essential to comprehend the key concepts of the model. The Behavioral System Model proposes that individuals possess a set of behavioral subsystems, which work together to maintain balance and stability. These subsystems include the attachment-affiliative, dependency, ingestive, eliminative, and sexual subsystems. Each subsystem contributes to the overall functioning of the individual, with the goal of meeting basic human needs.
In a clinical-practice situation that demonstrates Johnson’s model of health, the nurse can support the theory by addressing the patient’s imbalance and promoting restoration of stability. For instance, consider a patient who has been diagnosed with a chronic illness such as diabetes mellitus. This particular patient may be experiencing an imbalance in their elimination subsystem due to difficulty in managing blood sugar levels and associated challenges in excreting waste products effectively.
To support Johnson’s model, the nurse would first assess the patient’s behavioral system and identify the specific subsystem that is out of balance. In this case, the nurse would focus on the patient’s eliminative subsystem. The assessment would involve a comprehensive evaluation of the patient’s elimination patterns, such as urine output, bowel habits, and the presence of any complications related to renal function.
Once the imbalance is identified, the nurse can collaborate with the patient to develop a care plan that promotes balance and stability within the eliminative subsystem. This may involve educating the patient about the importance of maintaining stable blood sugar levels and implementing strategies to achieve this, such as medication management, dietary modifications, and regular exercise. Additionally, the nurse may provide guidance on appropriate fluid intake and monitor the patient’s urine output to ensure proper elimination of waste products.
In supporting Johnson’s model, the nurse would also consider the patient’s attachment-affiliative subsystem. Chronic illnesses often impact an individual’s social and emotional well-being, potentially leading to feelings of isolation and low self-esteem. Thus, the nurse should implement interventions to address these psychosocial factors and promote a sense of connectedness and support. This may involve facilitating support groups, providing emotional counseling, or referring the patient to community resources that can offer assistance and companionship.
Furthermore, the nurse can utilize Johnson’s model by integrating the dependency subsystem into the care plan. In the context of chronic illness, individuals may become increasingly dependent on healthcare professionals, family members, or assistive devices to meet their physical and emotional needs. The nurse can support the patient by assessing their level of dependency and offering assistance as needed. This may involve teaching the patient self-care techniques, exploring adaptive devices or modifications to the environment, and linking them to community resources that can provide ongoing support.
In summary, Johnson’s Behavioral System Model offers valuable insights into how nurses can support patients in achieving and maintaining balance and stability within their behavioral system. By identifying imbalances in specific subsystems and developing individualized care plans, nurses can address the patient’s needs and promote optimal health outcomes. This approach emphasizes the importance of holistic care that encompasses physical, psychological, and social dimensions, thereby aligning with the goals of nursing practice.