Human Needs Theory Case Study Reflective Journal

Human Needs Theory Case Study Reflective Journal

            Human needs theories are necessary for practical applications in the healthcare setting. Human needs theory focuses on the patient and their environs to provide quality care based on the needs of the patient. Nurses widely apply Neuman’s model and Orem’s theory as they provide care to their patients. The case study has been vital in illustrating how the human needs theory can effectively be implemented in nursing. With Mr. Duran as the patient who needs care, the case study guides on how Neuman’s model, as well as Orem’s theory, can be implemented in giving care to the elderly population with chronic illnesses like diabetes. Mr. Duran also experiences a stressful life due to the recent loss of his daughter, and this needs to be managed effectively to avoid escalating sugar levels in his body. With that being said, nurses are required to provide holistic care based on the human needs theory to provide adequate care and improve the patient’s outcomes.

The interactive case study is useful in educating nurses on how to put their knowledge in human needs theory into nursing practice. I find the case study educative, informative, and relevant to all nurses concerning the handling of elderly patients with chronic conditions. Through the case study, I learned about the need to collaborate with other healthcare professionals in healthcare, as well as the need to improve patient outcomes through evidence-based practices. Mr. Duran is diagnosed with diabetes and requires adequate education on starting insulin medication. Moreover, the patient also experiences stress, and this can be crucial since it can worsen his critical condition.

Mr. Duran’s condition calls for nurses to adequately apply the human needs theory, which can be essential in addressing his condition and related risks. Dorothea Orem’s model can be vital in treating the patient’s condition since it emphasizes self-care as a concept in nursing practice. By applying the theory, nurses should provide adequate patient education, especially concerning their medication to promote self-care as well as improve on patient outcomes (Taylor, Renpenning & Renpenning, 2011). Since the patient’s daughter passed on, his wife should be included as part of his treatment plan. This approach supports Orem’s theory, which emphasizes the need to incorporate the patient’s family and close friends in the treatment plan.

The case study further supports Betty Neuman’s needs theory, which focuses on the concept of stress in healthcare. Nurses need to assess and intervene with Mr. Duran’s stressful life since it can have adverse effects on his diabetes condition. Nurses are required to assess the patient’s condition concerning their physiological, sociocultural, spiritual, development, and psychological conditions and use the best practices to alleviate them in the best way possible. Neuman’s model also views the client as an open system hence suggesting the need to include the patient’s family into his treatment plan (Flaherty, 2013).

In summary, the case study has been useful and relevant in educating and improving my knowledge in providing patient-centered care based on the human needs theory. The case study also provides a replica of how nursing practice should be done considering ethical conduct and the use of effective communication and listening skills. I learned that healthcare professionals are required to center their attention on the interactive aspect of the patient’s environment since it can be essential in improving the patient’s condition. I also learned about the practical application of collaboration in nursing practice and its importance to healthcare. The case study has also advanced my knowledge of the importance of self-care and patient education in improving patient outcomes.

References

Flaherty, K. M. (2013). Neuman Systems Model in nursing practice. Nursing Theory-E-Book: Utilization & Application, 200.

Taylor, S. G., Katherine Renpenning, M., & Renpenning, K. M. (2011). Self-care science, nursing theory and evidence-based practice. Springer Publishing Company.