Babaei, S., Shakibazadeh, E., Shojaeizadeh, D., Yaseri, M., & Mohamadzadeh, A. (2020). Effectiveness the theory-based intervention based on health belief model on health promotion lifestyle in individuals susceptible to cardiovascular diseases. Iranian Journal of Health Education and Health Promotion, 8(3), 224-239. Web.
A significant number of deaths during old age and disabilities are attributed to cardiovascular diseases. However, researchers suggest that these conditions are caused by individuals’ health practices and modifiable social factors. As a result, Babaei et al. (2020) evaluated the effectiveness of an intervention based on the health belief model in altering people’s lifestyle behaviors and self-health promotion. The researchers recruited a sample of 180 study subjects with at least two risk factors for cardiovascular diseases including hypertension, smoking, diabetes, obesity, and high cholesterol. Their interventions involved training and theory-based education initiatives to inform the test subjects of the risks of their behaviors and solutions to improve their health. Thereafter, the researchers collected results using questionnaires before, during, and five months after the intervention programs.
The health belief model purports that an individual’s awareness of the potential threats of a medical condition and the effectiveness of proposed health promotion initiatives can encourage them to adopt better lifestyle behaviors and practices to sustain their comfort. Subsequently, the research by Babaei et al. (2020) reinforces this concept since their results showcased positive implications after the health belief model-based interventions. According to the research results, the interventions were effective in changing some aspects of lifestyle behaviors including nutrition, stress management, interpersonal relationships, and physical activities. The educational programs also facilitated a better understanding of perceived severity, susceptibility, and benefits.
Nurse practitioners encounter patients with different attitudes towards their health and the perceived outcomes of treatments, especially when dealing with chronic illnesses. Subsequently, a negative attitude can substantially harm a patient’s adherence to medication, motivation toward living a better life, and health development. Therefore, adopting tested and proven solutions like initiatives that incorporate the Health Belief Model to alter human behavior can help nurses increase the efficiency of their work and promote self-care in individuals with various illnesses.
Pennington, C. G. (2021). Applying the Transtheoretical model of behavioral change to establish physical activity habits. Journal of Education and Recreation Patterns, 2(1). Web.
Coronavirus disease has substantially limited movement from place to place and routine habits, resulting in a sedentary lifestyle without physical activities. However, Pennington (2021) suggests that physical exercise is critical to individuals’ well-being as its benefits persist throughout people’s lifetimes. Thus, the researcher reviewed and summarized literature expounding on the transtheoretical model of behavior change in contexts where altering practices is required including in substance abuse cases, nutrition, exercising, dieting, and physical activities. According to the study, the application of the transtheoretical model of behavior change is effective in enhancing intervention toward improved health.
The transtheoretical model of behavior change suggests six stages of change that individuals go through to alter their health habits. These stages include pre-contemplation, the contemplation phase, preparation, the action stage, maintenance, and the termination of the negative practices. Pennington (2021) reviewed various literature sources on experiments and propositions of the transtheoretical model in effecting behavioral change. According to the researcher, the approach can be used to encourage people to adopt more physical activities despite the cessation of movement and meetings in public or social places. Therefore, the researchers support applying the model in altering individuals’ behaviors toward improved health through exercise and routine physical activities.
Although many individuals in the community know that their unhealthy habits can result in adverse outcomes, most of them live in denial, encouraging them to continue with their behaviors despite occasional warnings against such practices. However, familiarizing with the stages of behavior change and guiding individuals through these stages can make nurses’ work easier as they will be working towards defined goals. Thus, the article by Pennington (2021) is crucial to the future of the nursing practice since it allows practitioners to identify problematic areas and develop effective solutions according to the attributes of an individual. Understanding how interpersonal dimensions relate to each other puts nurses in a better position to decide on appropriate interventions.
Ghoreishi, M. S., Vahedian-Shahroodi, M., Jafari, A., & Tehranid, H. (2019). Self-care behaviors in patients with type 2 diabetes: Education intervention based on social cognitive theory. Diabetes & Metabolic Syndrome: Clinical Research & Reviews, 13(3), 2049-2056. Web.
Diabetes type 2 is an ailment that necessitates unwearied efforts by the affected parties through continuous engagement to improve treatment outcomes. However, most diabetes patients lack self-efficacy and social support to achieve better results. As a result, Ghoreishi et al. (2019) investigated the effects of educational interventions focused on social cognitive theory on the self-efficacy and self-care habits of individuals with diabetes type II. The researchers adopted descriptive and interventional approaches in the study to identify aspects and constructs of the social cognitive model and the effects of interventions on 120 diabetes patients randomly assigned to experimental and control groups (Ghoreishi et al., 2019). According to the researchers, emotional adaptation, self-efficacy in overcoming barriers, and self-regulation are critical components of self-care. In addition, the control and experimental groups showed significant differences in these facets after the social behavior theory model interventions, suggesting that the approach can positively impact self-care practices in diabetes patients.
The social cognitive theory model is a concept occasionally used in psychology to explain the influence of a person’s experiences, environmental factors, and the contribution of other people on the individual’s health. As a result, the idea describes how individuals regulate their behaviors through reinforcement and asserting control to achieve behaviors directed toward specific goals over time. Subsequently, Ghoreishi et al. (2019) conduct an experiment shedding light on the potential of social cognitive interventions in soliciting improved self-care behaviors and the general health of patients. Thus, the research provides crucial information on the various applications of the social cognitive theory model to enhance human health. The information presented by these researchers is crucial in nursing since they encourage innovation and the adoption of several solutions to achieve better outcomes. Nevertheless, the researchers suggest that nurses and medical practitioners should incorporate other theoretical models and evidence-based solutions to achieve comprehensive results.
Jakimowicz, S., Perry, L., & Lewis, J. (2021). Bowen Family Systems Theory: Mapping a framework to support critical care nurses’ well‐being and care quality. Nursing Philosophy, 22(2), e12320. Web.
Patients in intensive care units require more attention and increased efforts by nurses to ensure their recovery. Unfortunately, most individuals in critical care units are unpredictable and might not respond appropriately to treatment. However, nurses are on the receiving end because they suffer from occasional emotional and mental torment associated with the condition of their patients, thus limiting their abilities. As a result, Jakimowicz et al. (2021) discussed the application of the family systems model in intensive nursing care environments to establish guidelines effective in ensuring nurses’ well-being and quality healthcare service provision. The researchers obtained information from numerous studies and texts addressing the application of the family systems theory on compassion and patient-centered nursing in emergency units. According to their results, the family systems theory is critical in developing intimate relationships in healthcare environments, responsible for aiding personal development, improving compassion, and limiting fatigue (Jakimowicz et al., 2021). Thus, the researchers propose that the family systems model can come in handy in work environments where management fails to address critical nurses’ issues.
The family systems theory by Kerr and Bowen define human behavior in terms of family units. According to its concepts, a family is a diverse social system that allows the interaction of individuals and behavioral influence between members. Nurses in healthcare organizations are expected to empathize with their patients and deliver compassionate care to maximize their comfort (Wittenberg et al., 2018). However, nurses in critical care units are exposed to high-pressure environments characterized by episodes of anxiety due to their patients’ immediate needs. Thus, these patterns can interfere with their initiatives toward compassionate and empathetic care. However, Jakimowicz et al., (2021) point out the essence of understanding the levels of anxiety in critical care units and the need to establish a reliable support system using the family systems theory. As a result, managers and administrators in healthcare institutions can adopt the tenets of the family systems theory to enhance nurses’ collaboration, motivation, and job satisfaction, thus the quality of patient care.
Broekema, S., Luttik, M. L. A., Steggerda, G. E., Paans, W., & Roodbol, P. F. (2018). Measuring change in nurses’ perceptions about family nursing competency following a 6-day educational intervention. Journal of Family Nursing, 24(4), 508-537. Web.
Patient-centered nursing approaches focus on the social, environmental, and personal factors impacting individuals’ health and well-being. That being said, family members play a critical role in disease management and post-treatment care, making them a vital component of comprehensive nursing. Broekema et al. (2018) investigated the perspectives of nurses before and after participating in educational programs focused on developing family nursing competencies. The educational interventions were based on the Calgary family assessment and intervention models. Subsequently, the researchers collected data using qualitative and quantitative approaches from 18 practicing nurses on their experiences and mindset before and after the interventions. According to their results, the participants recorded increased awareness of the essence of involving families in nursing Broekema et al. (2018). Moreover, the participants noted that they had advanced their competency and skills in family nursing.
Family assessment and intervention models advocate for investigating an individual’s background, their story, quality of their family relationships, and other factors that can impact an individual’s wellness. In addition, the model encourages involving family members in treatment plans, assessing their health conditions, and spearheading good health. Subsequently, Broekema et al. (2018) explain the importance of equipping nurses with the skills and competencies to acknowledge the needs of individuals and their families. Investigating the structure, financial abilities, social attributes, and stability of a family can help nurses create treatment plans that are inclusive and comprehensive (Wittenberg et al., 2018). Therefore, equipping nurses with family assessment and intervention skills can help them tackle patient issues appropriately and ensure higher quality care.