Neuman's Systems Model Explained
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ScribdTranslationsNeuman's Systems Model Explained
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ScribdTranslationsMain concepts and definitions Betty Neuman
Describe your systems model in the following way: The systems model of
Neuman is a singular perspective based on open systems that provides an approach
unifier to address a wide range of issues. A system acts as a boundary for
an individual patient, a group, or even a set of groups; it can also be defined as
a social issue. A patient system in interaction with the environment shapes the domain of
nursing issues. The main concepts identified in the model are: approach
integral, open system, environment, patient system, normal line of defense, flexible line of
defense, health, stress factors, degree of reaction, prevention as intervention and
reconstitution.
. Integral approach: The Neuman systems model is a systems approach.
dynamic and open for patient care, originally created for
to provide a unifying center with the intention of defining the problems of the
nursing and understanding the patient when interacting with the environment. The patient
as a system can be defined as a person, family, group, community or
social issue (Neuman, 2011c). Patients are considered as a whole whose
parts are in dynamic interaction. The model simultaneously considers all the
variables that affect the patient's system: physiological, psychological,
sociocultural, developmental, and spiritual. Neuman included the variable in the
second edition (1989), in which the spelling of the term holistic was also changed
for wholistic (holistic, integral) to increase the understanding of the term,
referring to the person as a whole (Neuman, personal communication, 20 of
June, 1988). Open system An open system is one when there is 'a continuous flow
of inputs and processes, outputs and feedback. "Stress and the reaction to stress
"basic elements" of an open system (Neuman, 2011c, p. 328; see also
Neuman, 1982, 1989, 1995, 2002b). Function or process The patient is a system that
exchanges 'energy, information, and matter with the environment, as well as with other parts
and subparts of the system" while using available energy resources "to
move towards stability and integration" (Neuman, 2011c, p. 328; see also
Neuman, 1982, 1989, 1995, 2002b). Input and output For the patient as a system,
the input and output are 'the matter, the energy, and the information that are exchanged
between the patient and the environment" (Neuman, 2011c, p. 328). Feedback The
system output in the form of 'matter, energy, and information' serves as
feedback for future entries 'for corrective action to change,
improve or stabilize the system" (Neuman, 2011c, p. 327). Negentropy "Process
of energy conservation that increases organization and complexity, leading to
system towards stability to a greater degree of well-being" Stability The
stability is a dynamic state and 'desirable equilibrium in which the exchange
of energy can take place without disturbing the character of the system," which points to
toward optimal health (Neuman, 2011c, p. 328; see also Neuman, 1982, 1989,
1995, 2002b). Environment According to Neuman's definition, "the environment consists of the
internal and external forces surrounding the patient, which influence and are influenced by
by the patient, at any time" (Neuman, 2011c, p. 327; see also
Neuman, 1982, 1989, 1995, 2002b). Created environment The created environment is developed
unconsciously by the patient to symbolically express the integrity of the
system. "Its purpose is to provide perceptual protection for operation
of the patient's system and maintain the stability of the system" (Neuman, 2011c, p.
327; see also Neuman, 1982, 1989, 1995, 2002a). Patient system The system
the patient consists of five variables (physiological, psychological, sociocultural, of
development and spirituality) in interaction with the environment" (Neuman, 2011c, p. 327).
The physiological variable refers to the structure and function of the organism.
The psychological variable refers to the mental processes interacting with the
environment. The sociocultural variable refers to the effects and influences of the
social and cultural conditions. The development variable refers to the
processes and activities related to age. The spiritual variable refers to
to spiritual beliefs and influences" (Neuman, 2011c, p. 16; see also
Neuman, 1982, 1989, 1995, 2002a). Basic structure The patient is a system
formed by a central structure surrounded by concentric rings. The inner circle
The diagram (see fig. 16.1) represents the basic factors of survival or the
patient's energy resources. This central structure 'consists of the factors of
common basic survival of human beings", as innate characteristics or
genetics. Resistance lines The series of dotted circles that surround the
the basic central structure is called lines of resistance. These circles represent
the resource factors that help the patient defend against a stressor
The lines of resistance act as protective factors that are
activated by the stress factors that penetrate the normal line of defense
(Neuman, 2011c, p. 328). Normal line of defense The normal line of defense is the
solid outer circle of the model (see Fig. 16.1). It represents "the adaptive level of
health developed over time and serves as a reference value with
regarding which to measure the deviation of well-being" (Neuman, 2011c, p. 328; see
also Neuman, 1982, 1989, 1995). "The expansion of the normal line of defense
reflects an increase in the welfare state, and the contraction indicates a decrease
of well-being" (Neuman, 2011, p. 327). Flexible line of defense The circle
The external discontinuity of the model is called the flexible defense line (see fig. 16.1).
It is perceived as a buffering protective element to prevent factors from
stressful situations pave the way to the usual state of well-being represented by the
normal line of defense. Situational factors can influence the degree of
protection provided by the flexible defense line, both positively
as negative (Neuman, 2011c, p. 327; see also Neuman 1982, 1989, 1995,
2002a). Neuman describes the flexible line of defense as the first mechanism
protector of the patient's system. "When the flexible line of defense expands,
provides greater short-term protection against the invasion of factors
stressful; when contracted, it provides less protection" (Neuman, 2011, p.
327).
