SYSTEM MODEL- BETTY NEUMAN

OBJECTIVES to assess the patient condition by the various methods explained by the nursing theory to identify the needs of the patient to demonstrate an effective communication and interaction with the patient. to select a theory for the application according to the need of the patient to apply the theory to solve the identified problems of the patient to evaluate the extent to which the process was fruitful. INTRODUCTION SYSTEM MODEL- BETTY NEUMAN The Neumans system model has two major components:stress and reaction to stress. The client in the Neumans system model is viewed as an open system in which repeated cycles of input, process, out put and feed back constitute a dynamic organizational pattern. The client may be an individual, a group, a family, a community or an aggregate. In the development towards growth and development open system continuously become more differentiated and elaborate or complex. As they become more complex, the internal conditions of regulation become more complex. Exchange with the environment are reciprocal, both the client and the environment may be affected either positively or negatively by the other. The system may adjust to the environment to itself. The ideal is to achieve optimal stability. As an open system the client, the client system has propensity to seek or maintain a balance among the various factors, both with in and out side the system, that seek to disrupt it. Neuman seeks these forces as stressors and views them as capable of having either positive or negative effects. Reaction to the stressors may be possible or actual with identifiable responses and symptom. MAJOR CONCEPTS I. PERSON VARIABLES Each layer, or concentric circle, of the Neuman model is made up of the five person variables. Ideally, each of the person variables should be considered simultaneously and comprehensively. 1. Physiological - refers of the physicochemical structure and function of the body. 2. Psychological - refers to mental processes and emotions. 3. Sociocultural - refers to relationships; and social/cultural expectations and activities.

Spiritual - refers to the influence of spiritual beliefs. 5. Developmental - refers to those processes related to development over the life span. II. CENTRAL CORE The basic structure, or central core, is made up of the basic survival factors that are common to the species (Neuman, 1995, in George, 1996). These factors include: system variables, genetic features, and the strengths and weaknesses of the system parts. Examples of these may include: hair color, body temperature regulation ability, functioning of body systems homeostatically, cognitive ability, physical strength, and value systems. The person's system is an open system and therefore is dynamic and constantly changing and evolving. Stability, or homeostasis, occurs when the amount of energy that is available exceeds that being used by the system. A homeostatic body system is constantly in a dynamic process of input, output, feedback, and compensation, which leads to a state of balance. III. FLEXIBLE LINES OF DEFENSE The flexible line of defense is the outer barrier or cushion to the normal line of defense, the line of resistance, and the core structure. If the flexible line of defense fails to provide adequate protection to the normal line of defense, the lines of resistance become activated. The flexible line of defense acts as a cushion and is described as accordion-like as it expands away from or contracts closer to the normal line of defense. The flexible line of defense is dynamic and can be changed/altered in a relatively short period of time. IV. NORMAL LINE OF DEFENSE The normal line of defense represents system stability over time. It is considered to be the usual level of stability in the system. The normal line of defense can change over time in response to coping or responding to the environment. An example is skin, which is stable and fairly constant, but can thicken into a callus over time. V. LINES OF RESISTANCE The lines of resistance protect the basic structure and become activated when environmental stressors invade the normal line of defense. Example: activation of the immune response after invasion of microorganisms. If the lines of resistance are effective, the system can reconstitute and if the lines of resistance are not effective, the resulting energy loss can result in death.

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VI. RECONSTITUTIONReconstitution is the increase in energy that occurs in relation to the degree of reaction to the stressor. Reconstitution begins at any point following initiation of treatment for invasion of stressors. Reconstitution may expand the normal line of defense beyond its previous level, stabilize the system at a lower level, or return it to the level that existed before the illness. VII. STRESSORS The Neuman Systems Model looks at the impact of stressors on health and addresses stress and the reduction of stress (in the form of stressors). Stressors are capable of having either a positive or negative effect on the client system. A stressor is any environmental force which can potentially affect the stability of the system: they may be: Intrapersonal - occur within person, e.g. emotions and feelings Interpersonal - occur between individuals, e.g. role expectations Extra personal - occur outside the individual, e.g. job or finance pressures The person has a certain degree of reaction to any given stressor at any given time. The nature of the reaction depends in part on the strength of the lines of resistance and defense. By means of primary, secondary and tertiary interventions, the person (or the nurse) attempts to restore or maintain the stability of the system. VII. PREVENTION As defined by Neuman's model, prevention is the primary nursing intervention. Prevention focuses on keeping stressors and the stress response from having a detrimental effect on the body. Primary -Primary prevention occurs before the system reacts to a stressor. On the one hand, it strengthens the person (primarily the flexible line of defense) to enable him to better deal with stressors, and on the other hand manipulates the environment to reduce or weaken stressors. Primary prevention includes health promotion and maintenance of wellness. Secondary-Secondary prevention occurs after the system reacts to a stressor and is provided in terms of existing systems. Secondary prevention focuses on preventing damage to the central core by strengthening the internal lines of resistance and/or removing the stressor. Tertiary -Tertiary prevention occurs after the system has been treated through secondary prevention strategies. Tertiary prevention offers support to the client and attempts to add energy to the system or reduce energy needed in order to facilitate reconstitution. NURSING METAPARADIGM A. PERSON The person is a layered multidimensional being. Each layer consists of five person variables or subsystems: Physical/Physiological Psychological Socio-cultural Developmental Spiritual

The layers, usually represented by concentric circle, consist of the central core, lines of resistance, lines of normal defense, and lines of flexible defense. The basic core structure is comprised of survival mechanisms including: organ function, temperature control, genetic structure, response patterns, ego, and what Neuman terms 'knowns and commonalities'. Lines of resistance and two lines of defense protect this core. The person may in fact be an individual, a family, a group, or a community in Neuman's model. The person, with a core of basic structures, is seen as being in constant, dynamic interaction with the environment. Around the basic core structures are lines of defense and resistance (shown diagrammatically as concentric circles, with the lines of resistance nearer to the core. The person is seen as being in a state of constant change and-as an open system-in reciprocal interaction with the environment (i.e. affecting, and being affected by it). B. THE ENVIRONMENTThe environment is seen to be the totality of the internal and external forces which surround a person and with which they interact at any given time. These forces include the intrapersonal, interpersonal and extra personal stressors which can affect the person's normal line of defense and so can affect the stability of the system. The internal environment exists within the client system. The external environment exists outside the client system. Neuman also identified a created environment which is an environment that is created and developed unconsciously by the client and is symbolic of system wholeness. C. HEALTH Neuman sees health as being equated with wellness. She defines health/wellness as "the condition in which all parts and subparts (variables) are in harmony with the whole of the client (Neuman, 1995)". As the person is in a constant interaction with the environment, the state of wellness (and by implication any other state) is in dynamic equilibrium, rather than in any kind of steady state. Neuman proposes a wellness-illness continuum, with the person's position on that continuum being influenced by their interaction with the variables and the stressors they encounter. The client system moves toward illness and death when more energy is needed than is available. The client system moves toward wellness when more energy is available than is needed. D. NURSING Neuman sees nursing as a unique profession that is concerned with all of the variables which influence the response a person might have to a stressor. The person is seen as a whole, and it is the task of nursing to address the whole person.

Neuman defines nursing as actions which assist individuals, families and groups to maintain a maximum level of wellness, and the primary aim is stability of the patient/client system, through nursing interventions to reduce stressors. Neuman states that, because the nurse's perception will influence the care given, then not only must the patient/client's perceptions be assessed, but so must those of the caregiver (nurse). The role of the nurse is seen in terms of degrees of reaction to stressors, and the use of primary, secondary and tertiary interventions.

CONCLUSION The Neumans system model when applied in nursing practice helped in identifying the interpersonal, intrapersonal and extra personal stressors from various aspects. This was helpful to provide care in a comprehensive manner. The application of this theory revealed how well the primary, secondary and tertiary prevention interventions could be used for solving the problems in the client. REFERENCES 1. Alligood M R, Tomey A M. Nursing Theory: Utilization &Application .3rd ed. Missouri: Elsevier Mosby Publications; 2002. 2. Tomey AM, Alligood. MR. Nursing theorists and their work. (5th ed.). Mosby, Philadelphia, 2002 3. George JB .Nursing Theories: The Base for Professional Nursing Practice,5thed. New Jersey :Prentice Hall;2002.

Neuman envisions a 3-stage nursing process: 1. Nursing Diagnosis - based of necessity in a thorough assessment, and with consideration given to five variables in three stressor areas. 2. Nursing Goals - these must be negotiated with the patient, and take account of patient's and nurse's perceptions of variance from wellness 3. Nursing Outcomes - considered in relation to five variables, and achieved through primary, secondary and tertiary interventions. NURSING PROCESS BASED ON SYSTEM MODEL Assessment: Neumans first step of nursing process parallels the assessment and nursing diagnosis of the six phase nursing process. Using system model in the assessment phase of nursing process the nurse focuses on obtaining a comprehensive client data base to determine the existing state of wellness and actual or potential reaction to environmental stressors. Nursing diagnosis- the synthesis of data with theory also provides the basis for nursing diagnosis. The nursing diagnostic statement should reflect the entire client condition. Outcome identification and planning- it involves negotiation between the care giver and the client or recipient of care. The overall goal of the care giver is to guide the client to conserve energy and to use energy as a force to move beyond the present. Implementation nursing action are based on the synthesis of a comprehensive data base about the client and the theory that are appropriate to the clients and caregivers perception and possibilities for functional competence in the environment. According to this step the evaluation confirms that the anticipated or prescribed change has occurred. Immediate and long range goals are structured in relation to the short term goals. Evaluation evaluation is the anticipated or prescribed change has occurred. If it is not met the goals are reformed.