EDWIN CLARK UNIVERSITY

KIAGBODO
NURSING SCIENCE
200LEVEL

LECTURER: MR LAMAWAL .A.

LAWRENCE
NSC 214-THEORIES AND
CONCEPTUAL BASIS FOR
PROFESSIONAL NURSING

GROUP PRESENTATION ON
GRAND THEORIES(SYSTEM THEORY)

GROUP MEMBERS
AGBAKWA CHISOM
MERCY -ECU/2022/BMS/030/1459

AGBOFODE PRISCA
TEGA -ECU/2022/BMS/030/1460

AKPOJOTOR TOVIA -
ECU/2022/BMS/030/1461
NSC 214

GrandTheories
(Systems Theory )

INTRODUCTION
Systems theory provide broad and abstract concepts
that guide the entire scope of nursing practice.
Systems theory, in particular, is a grand theory that
views patients and healthcare systems as
interconnected and interdependent parts of a larger
whole. This perspective helps nurses understand
how different factors interact within the healthcare
environment, influencing patient care and
outcomes.

OBJECTIVE
1)To know the meaning of systems theory
2) To know the application of this theory in
 Nursing education
 Nursing practice
 Research

BODY
Systems theory was originally developed in the mid-
20th century by a biologist Ludwig von Bertalanffy.
The theory posits that a system is composed of
interrelated parts that function as a whole.system
theory is a general system of wholeness.

In nursing, systems theory is used to understand

the complex interactions between patients,
healthcare providers, healthcare settings, and
external environments. This theory can
help nurses to understand, predict, and control the
possible effects of nursing care on the client system
and the concurrent effects of the interaction on the
nurse system and environment.Today’s world is
rapidly changing and when we fail to consider the
changes in the environment,it leads to unintended
consequences and to avoid this,we need to shift our
thinking using system approach including systemic
thinking.
Auger (1976) defined a system as “a whole with
interrelated parts, in which the
parts have a function and the system as a totality has
a function
Within the systems framework, single systems
(subsystems) form more complex systems
(suprasystems). Subsystems may be smaller than the
tiniest cell of an organism.
Suprasystems extend beyond what humans know as
the universe. The whole person is the suprasystem
for multiple interacting subsystems. The person’s
internal environment consists of interacting
subsystems that are contained within bodily
boundaries. The person, in turn, will have
membership in a subsystem called family (which is a
suprasystem of the person, which is a subsystem of
the community system, and so on). Subsystems may
be isolated for study, but humans are more than and
different from the sum of their parts.
Change is a process of tension reduction and
dynamic equilibrium, which restores a new position
of system balance after a disturbance.

Because they are open systems, people exchange

matter, energy, and information with the
environment). A human being’s internal
environment interacts constantly with an ever-
changing external environment.
Key Components:

1. Holistic Approach:
• Emphasizes the interconnectedness of all
elements within the healthcare system, including
patients, healthcare providers, institutions, and
the broader socio-economic environment.
• Focuses on understanding how these
components interact to influence health outcomes.
2. Subsystems:
• Identifies and analyzes various subsystems
within the healthcare environment such as clinical
care, administration, education, and community
health.
• Each subsystem plays a specific role but is
interdependent with others.
3. Boundaries:
• Defines the boundaries of the system to
understand what is included in the analysis and what
is external but may still exert influence.
• Recognizes that boundaries are often
permeable and interactions with external systems
(e.g., social, economic) are crucial.
4. Feedback Loops:
• Incorporates mechanisms for feedback,
where outputs of the system can loop back to affect
inputs, thereby fostering continuous improvement
and adaptation.
• Positive feedback loops can amplify change,
while negative feedback loops can stabilize the
system.
 5. Homeostasis and Equilibrium:
• Focuses on maintaining stability within the
system through homeostatic mechanisms, ensuring
that the system adapts and functions effectively
amidst internal and external changes.
• Strives for a dynamic equilibrium rather
than a static state.
6. Open Systems Perspective:
• Views the healthcare system as an open
system, interacting continuously with its
environment.
• Stresses the importance of external
influences
and the necessity for the system to adapt to
environmental changes.
7. Systems Dynamics:
• Analyzes how different components and
processes within the system change over time.
• Uses systems dynamics to predict
outcomes, manage resources efficiently, and
implement effective interventions.

Benefits of Systems Theory in Nursing:

1. Comprehensive Care: Encourages a holistic view
of patients and healthcare systems, promoting
comprehensive and patient-centered care.
2. Enhanced Communication: Facilitates better
communication and understanding among
healthcare providers by providing a common
framework.
3. Improved Outcomes:Uses feedback loops to
identify areas for improvement and implement
changes, leading to better patient outcomes.
4. Adaptability: Prepares nurses to adapt to changes
in the healthcare environment and effectively
manage complex patient care situations.
5. Resource Efficiency:Promotes efficient use of
resources by understanding how different parts of
the system interact and affect each other.

Challenges and Considerations:

1. Complexity:Systems theory can be complex and

abstract, making it challenging to apply in some
practical settings.
2. Integration:Requires integration with other
nursing theories and models to address specific
patient care needs.
3. Education and Training:Nurses need education
and training in systems thinking to effectively utilize
this approach in practice.

Application of Systems Theory

In Nursing practice;
- Patient Care
Holistic Approach:Considers the patient as a
whole, including physical, emotional, social, and
environmental factors.
Family and Community:Recognizes the influence of
family and community systems on patient health.
- Healthcare Delivery
Interdisciplinary Collaboration: Promotes
teamwork among healthcare providers by viewing
them as parts of a larger system working towards
common goals.
Quality Improvement; Uses feedback mechanisms
to continuously improve healthcare processes and
outcomes.
- Nursing Management
Organizational Dynamics: Helps nurse managers
understand organizational behavior and the impact
of various subsystems on overall performance.
 Resource Allocation:Optimizes resource allocation
by viewing the healthcare organization as an
interconnected system.

In Nursing Education
Curriculum Design :Incorporates systems thinking
to prepare nurses for complex, dynamic healthcare
environments.
Problem-Solving Skills:Develops critical thinking
and problem-solving skills by understanding system
interactions and dependencies

In research
Systems theory provides a comprehensive
framework for research, especially in complex fields
like healthcare and nursing. It facilitates an
understanding of the interactions and relationships
within and between systems, helping researchers
explore the multifaceted nature of health and
healthcare delivery.

SUMMARY
Systems theory is an interdisciplinary framework for
understanding complex interactions within and
between systems, emphasizing holistic analysis over
individual components.
CONCLUSION
In conclusion,the grand systems model in nursing
provides a comprehensive framework for
understanding and improving healthcare by viewing
it as an interconnected and dynamic system. It
promotes holistic care, interdisciplinary
collaboration, and continuous improvement,
ultimately aiming to enhance patient outcomes and
system efficiency.

RECOMMENDATION
The grand systems model in nursing is particularly
recommended in several key areas to enhance
healthcare delivery, patient outcomes, and system
efficiency. Here are some specific areas where its
application is highly beneficial:

 Hospital and Acute Care Settings

Integrated Care Delivery:Encourages seamless
coordination between various departments and
specialties, providing holistic patient care.
Quality Improvement Initiatives:Utilizes feedback
loops and systems dynamics to continuously
improve clinical processes and patient outcomes.
  Community Health and Public Health
Preventive Care:Promotes a comprehensive
approach to preventive healthcare by addressing
social determinants of health and community-
specific needs.
Health Promotion Programs:Integrates health
promotion activities and public health interventions
to improve overall community health.

 Primary Care
Patient-Centered Medical Homes
(PCMH):Facilitates the integration of services within
primary care settings to provide comprehensive and
continuous care.
Chronic Disease ManagementUses a holistic
approach to manage chronic conditions by
addressing medical, psychological, and social factors.

 Nursing Education and Training

-
Curriculum Development:Incorporates systems
thinking into nursing education to prepare students
for the complexities of modern healthcare
environments.
 Interdisciplinary Training:: Promotes collaborative
learning experiences among different healthcare
disciplines.

 Healthcare Policy and Administration

Policy Development: Provides a framework for
creating policies that support integrated, patient-
centered care and efficient resource allocation.
Healthcare Management : Assists administrators in
understanding and managing the complex
interactions within healthcare systems.

REFERENCE:
1)Agnes, M. (Ed.). (2005). Webster’s new world
college dictionary (4th ed.). Cleveland, OH: Wiley.
2)A Andrews, H. (1991). Overview of the role
function
mode. In C. Roy & H. Andrews (Eds.), The Roy
adaptation model: The definitive statement (pp.347-
361).
Norwalk, CT: Appleton & Lange.
3) Fawcett, J. (2000). Analysis and evaluation of
contemporary nursing knowledge: nursing models
and theories. Philadelphia: F. A. Davis.
4) fawcett, J. (2005). Contemporary nursing
knowledge: Analysis and evaluation of nursing
models and theories (2nd ed.). Philadelphia: F.
A.Davies.