For this Discussion you will identify a practice or organization issue of importance to you
There are several different types of theories in nursing. Grand theories look at nursing from a broad perspective of human needs. In contrast, middle-range theories are narrower in focus, and look at specific aspects of the nursing profession. Due to their narrower scope, middle-range theories are more applicable for use in actual nursing practice.
High level middle-range theories can be quite complex (for example, Benner’s “Novice to Expert Theory” and Leininger’s “Theory of Culture Care Diversity and Universality”). Less complex middle-range theories include Mishel’s “Uncertainty in Illness Theory,” Kolcaba’s “Comfort Theory,” and Lenz and Pugh’s “Theory of Unpleasant Symptoms.” Some middle-range theories are even more specifically focused. For example, Beck’s “Postpartum Depression Theory” or Eakes et al.’s “Theory of Chronic Sorrow.”
For this Discussion you will identify a practice or organization issue of importance to you. Then, you select two middle-range theories and apply them to address the practice or organization issue.
Note: The practice issue you select will also inform your work in Week 3 (and can potentially be utilized throughout the remainder of this course).
Post the following:
- Identify the practice or organization issue you selected. Explain why you chose it.
- Describe the two middle-range theories that you selected. Explain why you chose them.
- Explain how you would apply each middle-range theory to the practice or organization issue. Be specific and provide examples.
Note: Your posts should be substantial (500 words minimum), supported with scholarly evidence from your research and/or the Learning Resources, and properly cited using APA Style. Personal anecdotes are acceptable as part of a meaningful post but cannot stand alone as the entire post.
McEwen, M., & Wills, E. M. (2022). Theoretical basis for nursing (6th ed.). Wolters Kluwer.
Chapter 10, “Introduction to Middle Range Nursing Theories” (pp. 213–229)
Chapter 11, “Overview of Selected Middle Range Nursing Theories” (pp. 230–260)
Chapter 19, “Application of Theory in Nursing Practice” (pp. 448–466)
Chapter 21, “Application of Theory in Nursing Administration and Management (pp. 491–518)
Fawcett, J. (2005). Middle-range nursing theories are necessary for the advancement of the disciplineLinks to an external site.. Aquichan, 5(1), 32–43.
Note: This resource is seminal to the field.
Iovino, P., Vellone, E., Cedrone, N., & Riegel, B. (2023). A middle-range theory of social isolation in chronic illnessLinks to an external site.. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 20(6), Article 4940. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph20064940
Limbo, R., & Pridham, K. F. (2023). Applying the theory of guided participation to clinical practiceLinks to an external site.. Advances in Nursing Science, 47(2), E41–E57. https://doi.org/10.1097/ans.0000000000000485
Schulman-Green, D., Feder, S. L., David, D., Rada, L., Tesfai, D., & Grey, M. (2023). A middle range theory of self-and family management of chronic illnessLinks to an external site.. Nursing Outlook, 71(3), Article 101985. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.outlook.2023.101985
Expert Answer and Explanation
Interdisciplinary Communication Within the Healthcare
Effective interdisciplinary communication within the healthcare sector is critical for providing holistic care to patients. Advanced Practice Registered Nurses (APRNs) often play a pivotal role in bridging the communication gap between different healthcare providers to ensure that care is coordinated, comprehensive, and patient-centered. This practice issue is of particular importance to me because poor communication can lead to fragmented care, medical errors, and negative patient outcomes. To address this issue, two middle-range theories can be applied including, Benner’s “Novice to Expert Theory” and Lenz and Pugh’s “Theory of Unpleasant Symptoms” (Iovino et al., 2023). These theories provide a framework for improving interdisciplinary communication, thereby enhancing the overall quality of care.
Overview of Theories
The first theory I selected is Benner’s “Novice to Expert Theory.” This theory describes the progression of nurses through five levels of expertise: novice, advanced beginner, competent, proficient, and expert. Each stage represents a deeper understanding and more intuitive grasp of clinical situations (McEwen & Wills, 2022). This theory emphasizes the importance of experience and knowledge development in nursing practice, which directly impacts communication and collaboration within healthcare teams. APRNs can tailor their communication strategies to meet the specific needs of their colleagues, thereby improving the effectiveness of interdisciplinary communication.
The second theory is Lenz and Pugh’s “Theory of Unpleasant Symptoms.” This theory focuses on the complex interplay of symptoms, their antecedents, and the outcomes they produce (Schulman-Green et al., 2023). The theory suggests that symptoms are influenced by physiological, psychological, and situational factors, and these, in turn, affect the patient’s overall health and quality of life. The theory because it emphasizes on the importance of addressing multiple dimensions of patient care, which requires effective communication and collaboration among healthcare providers. APRNs can use the theory to better understand and communicate the multifaceted nature of patients’ symptoms to other providers, ensuring that care is comprehensive and holistic.
Application of Theories
Benner’s “Novice to Expert Theory” can be applied to improve interdisciplinary communication by recognizing and addressing the varying levels of expertise among healthcare providers (Schulman-Green et al., 2023). For instance, a novice nurse may require more detailed explanations and guidance when communicating with other providers, whereas an expert nurse may be able to make more intuitive decisions and communicate more effectively with minimal instruction. APRNs can use this understanding to mentor less experienced nurses, facilitating their development and improving their confidence in interdisciplinary interactions (Limbo & Pridham, 2023).
Additionally, recognizing the level of expertise of other healthcare providers can help APRNs adjust their communication style, ensuring that information is conveyed in a way that is understandable and actionable for the recipient (Schulman-Green et al., 2023). For example, an APRN might use more structured communication tools, like SBAR (Situation-Background-Assessment-Recommendation), when working with less experienced providers to ensure clarity and completeness in the exchange of information.
Lenz and Pugh’s “Theory of Unpleasant Symptoms” can be applied to enhance communication by emphasizing the holistic assessment of patient symptoms. APRNs can use this theory to guide discussions with other healthcare providers, ensuring that all aspects of a patient’s symptoms are considered in the care plan (Schulman-Green et al., 2023). For example, if a patient is experiencing both physical pain and psychological distress, the APRN can use the theory to communicate the need for a multidisciplinary approach that includes both pain management and mental health support.
Conclusion
Interdisciplinary communication is essential for providing holistic care, and the application of middle-range theories can significantly enhance the effectiveness of this communication. Benner’s “Novice to Expert Theory,” enables APRNs to tailor their communication strategies to the expertise levels of their colleagues, ensuring that information is conveyed clearly and effectively. Lenz and Pugh’s “Theory of Unpleasant Symptoms” emphasizes the importance of considering the full spectrum of patient symptoms, facilitating more comprehensive and coordinated care. Together, these theories provide a robust framework for improving interdisciplinary communication within the healthcare sector, ultimately leading to better patient outcomes and more effective, holistic care.
References
Iovino, P., Vellone, E., Cedrone, N., & Riegel, B. (2023). A middle-range theory of social isolation in chronic illness. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 20(6), Article 4940. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph20064940
Limbo, R., & Pridham, K. F. (2023). Applying the theory of guided participation to clinical practiceLinks to an external site. Advances in Nursing Science, 47(2), E41–E57. https://doi.org/10.1097/ans.0000000000000485
McEwen, M., & Wills, E. M. (2022). Theoretical basis for nursing (6th ed.). Wolters Kluwer
Schulman-Green, D., Feder, S. L., David, D., Rada, L., Tesfai, D., & Grey, M. (2023). A middle range theory of self-and family management of chronic illness. Nursing Outlook, 71(3), Article 101985. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.outlook.2023.101985
Place your order now for a similar assignment and get fast, affordable and best quality work written by our expert level assignment writers.
Limited Offer: Use Coupon Code NEW30 to Get 30% OFF Your First Order
