Scientists introduced the concept of nursing metaparadigm to improve the caring practice after patients. Jacqueline Fawcett’s disciplinary system variant is the most accepted and used as a standard in the medical sphere. He categorized meta paradigms into four main components: person, environment, health, and nursing (Bender, 2018). Diabetic foot ulcers (DFUs) are complication of diabetes that brings to lower limb infection. The therapy of DFUs is complicated and costly; thus, the patients’ mental wellbeing is often at risk. Furthermore, there are many feet amputation cases due to negligent care and little knowledge about the disease’s proper treatment (Buggy & Moore, 2017). Metaparadigms are strongly interconnected, and treatment delivery to DFUs patients shows to be efficient only in their combinational approach.
The first metaparadigm, person, refers to a patient’s self-maintenance, interaction with society, involvement in different activities, and mental condition. According to Subrata and Phuphaibul (2019), people with DFUs frequently report about their difficult relationships with their relatives and spouses as their caregivers. Diabetic foot ulcers are a chronic condition; hence, individuals diagnosed with them often develop depression and anxiety after prolonged treatment. They often cannot participate in social activities and feel isolated (Subrata & Phuphaibul, 2019). Patients have to wear off-loading devices all day long, and they cannot do any sports. However, they are advised to do moderate activities, and nurses usually help them perform foot-accentuated exercises. The nurses should pay attention to the mental state of patients and teach them about their condition.
The second concept that nurses should consider when dealing with patients is their environment. It analyses how external factors such as culture, social connections, economics, hospital location, and life condition contribute to a patient’s wellbeing (Subrata & Phuphaibu, 2019). Diabetes is associated with a bad diet, and the culture that has a habit of eating unhealthy food promotes the disease. Similarly, some cultures prefer walking barefoot, which increases the risk of infection. The medication of DFUs is the most expensive among all diabetes-related illnesses (Buggy & Moore, 2017). Therefore, many people with this disorder have financial difficulties.
Health is about the overall wellbeing of a patient and the availability of professional care. This metaparadigm includes an individual’s genetic background, age, and presence of other diseases (Subrata & Phuphaibul 2019). Many DFUs patients cannot afford healthcare; thus, they do not have access to high-quality therapy. Countries need to be considerate of such cases because the complication of the disease leads to irreversible consequences. Also, older people with a history of diabetes, hypertension, and smoking are most prone to developing severe conditions. Unfortunately, nurses do not react to these states promptly, and diabetic foot ulcers occur (Subrata & Phuphaibul 2019). Early intervention with the illness by caregivers saves the limbs from amputation.
Nursing plays a crucial role in overcoming complicated infections. It comprises a sufficient knowledge of the disease and novel methods of caring for patients and the nurse’s interaction with the patient (Subrata & Phuphaibul 2019). In the DFUs case, nurses often provide foot care such as washing and frequent trimming of nails. They also perform regular debridement and disinfection of the wound (Ji et al., 2016). The wound-care researchers consistently find new ways to treat DFUs, and nurses should continuously renovate their knowledge.
The mentioned meta paradigms share many similarities, and problems associated with them can be managed through a combined approach. Bender (2018) suggests that meta paradigms are retrospective and strongly associated with each other. In order to solve the issues above, nurses need to timely report the physical and mental condition of a patient. They also should educate about the illness so patients can decide on the right treatment and talk with their families about the need for support. Therefore, the four principles of meta paradigms are interdependent, and the strategy of treatment delivery should include all the aspects.
References
Bender, M. (2018). Re-conceptualizing the nursing metaparadigm: Articulating the philosophical ontology of the nursing discipline that orients inquiry and practice. Nursing Inquiry, 25(3), e12243. Web.
Buggy, A., & Moore, Z. (2017). The impact of the multidisciplinary team in the management of individuals with diabetic foot ulcers: a systematic review. Journal of Wound Care, 26(6), 324–339.
Ji, L., Bai, J., Sun, J., & Wang, Z. (2016). Nursing care for diabetic toe ulcers: A case series report and literature review. International Journal of Nursing Sciences, 3(3), 332–336.
Subrata, S. A., & Phuphaibul, R. (2019). A nursing metaparadigm perspective of diabetic foot ulcer care. British Journal of Nursing, 28(6), S38–S50. Web.