Health of the individual, family and community

Abstract

This chapter discusses how people's basic human needs are met and highlights the need for nurses and midwives who work in person-centred ways, to have an appreciation of how the individual, the family and the community environment operate as a dynamic system. The concept of systems theory as a way of understanding factors that impact on health and illness needs of individuals and communities is introduced. An overview of Neuman's Systems Model which was first developed in the 1980s as a way of thinking about the interrelationships among these factors is presented here. Neuman's Systems Model is an example of a nursing theory that describes stressors and enablers of health that can be related to basic human needs. Neuman's model is a person-centred model that has a very strong emphasis on seeing the individual as a complete person (Flaherty, 2013) who is constantly seeking to adapt and respond to internal and external systems (Neuman & Fawcett, 2011). Over time, the role of the professional nurse and midwife has changed from that of a person who practises modified medicine to one who understands the dynamic and evolving nature of healthcare and is able to use the skills of inquiry, critical thinking, problem-solving and reflective practice and uses theory to inform their practice (Conway & McMillan, 2014). Our capacity to respond appropriately and effectively in nursing and midwifery situations is linked to our ability to integrate clinical practice knowledge and theoretical knowledge. This theoretical knowledge informs how we learn, think and act as nurses and midwives. It is drawn from a range of sources including our professional values and thinking about the purpose and goals of nursing and midwifery. In developing our thinking, we frequently draw on knowledge within other disciplines and interpret and apply this to develop specific theories to guide our practice as nurses and midwives.