martha rogers: the science of unitary human beings
TRANSCRIPT
MARTHA ROGERSThe Science of Unitary Human Beings
Angeli Lagasca, RN BSN CCRNColumbia University, Teachers College
October 9, 2015
Martha Rogers(1914-1994)
EDUCATION
-1931: Studied science at University of Tennessee
-1936: Nursing diploma, Knoxville General Hospital
-1937: BS, George Peabody College, Nashville, TN
-1945: MA, public health nursing supervision, Columbia University Teachers College, New York, NY
-1952: MPH, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD
-1954: ScD, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD
Martha Rogers(1914-1994) NURSING CAREER
Practice: Rural public health, MI Visiting nurse, CT
Management: Visiting nurse supervision/education, CT Est’d VNS of Phoenix, AZ
Academia: Professor/Head of Nursing Division, NYU
Professor Emerita, NYU Published 3 books, >200 articles
Theory: Published An Introduction to the Theoretical Basis of Nursing (1970), described conceptual model for nursing
Rogers’ Science of Unitary Human Beings
“The study of the moving, intuitive experience of nurses in mutual process with those they serve”
(Rogers, 1970, p. 9).
Rogers’ Science of Unitary Human BeingsTheoretical Sources: Multidisciplinary
ANTHROPOLOGY PSYCHOLOGY SOCIOLOGY ASTRONOMY
RELIGION PHILOSOPHY HISTORY BIOLOGY
PHYSICS MATHEMATICS LITERATURE NIGHTINGALE
Rogers’ Science of Unitary Human BeingsTheoretical Sources: Nightingale
“FOUNDATION FOR THE SCOPE OF MODERN NURSING”(Rogers, 1970, p. 30)
Re: Relationship of human being and environment
Rogers’ Science of Unitary Human BeingsTheoretical Sources: Science
Abstract concepts: unable to be tested using measurable empirical evidence.
Instead, Rogers’ work builds on theoretical concepts of multiple disciplines:
QUANTUM PHYSICS GENERAL SYSTEMS THEORY ELECTRODYNAMICS Einstein von Bertalanffy Burr & Northrop
Rogers’ Science of Unitary Human BeingsTheoretical Sources: Eastern PhilosophyHanchett (1992) identifies Buddhist concepts as predecessors for Rogerian assertions:
THE SENTIENT BEING- An organism which experiences the totality of living, and thus, is capable of enlightenment- Composed of matter, sensation, perception, mental formations and consciousness
EMPTINESS- Openness, capacity for perception of the abstract- Boundless reality void of space, time
DEPENDENT ARISING, KARMA- Chain of causes which contribute to rebirth
Major Concepts and DefinitionsBuilding Blocks
PATTERN PANDIMENSIONALITY
UNIVERSE OFOPEN SYSTEMSENERGY FIELD
Major Concepts and DefinitionsBuilding Blocks: Pandimensionality
PANDIMENSIONALITY:The unitary whole is...
PANDIMENSIONALITY is an attribute of the unitary whole.
INFINITE
NONLINEAR
SPACELESS TIMELESS
LIMITLESS
Major Concepts and DefinitionsBuilding Blocks: Pattern
PATTERN
Represents characteristics which DEFINE an ENERGY FIELD:
PATTERN is a varying, single wave only perceivable via manifestations (ex: sense of self, degree of well-being, fast or slow perception of time, degree of pragmatism vs. imaginativeness), which are unique to the individual energy field.
Continuously changes in innovative and unique ways
Varies constantly, thereby giving identity to the Energy field.
Manifests as a result of interaction between human & environment (integral fields)
Major Concepts and DefinitionsBuilding Blocks: Universe of Open Systems
UNIVERSE OFOPEN SYSTEMS
Energy fields are…INFINITE
Energy fields are…OPEN
Energy fields are…INTEGRAL
The HUMAN FIELD and ENVIRONMENTAL FIELD interact continuously within a UNIVERSE OF OPEN SYSTEMS.
Major Concepts and DefinitionsBuilding Blocks: Energy Field
ENERGY FIELD
FUNDAMENTAL UNIT of living and nonliving things, including: (1) human being (2) environment
Exists in a UNIVERSE of OPEN SYSTEMS: change is dynamic, continuous, creative,
unpredictable, and infinite
Is identifiable by PATTERN:Identity changes with changes in pattern
Is PANDIMENSIONAL:Exists as an infinite, indivisible, irreducible
entity unbound by time or space
Major Concepts and DefinitionsBuilding Blocks: Energy Field
ENERGY FIELD
HUMAN FIELD ENVIRONMENTAL
FIELD
The Human Field and Environmental Field are in a process of continuous mutual change. They are integral to each other, and influence each other in ways that may be unquantifiable or imperceptible.
The Human Field and Environmental Field are each identified by wave patterns whose changes are manifested in the whole.
Major Concepts and DefinitionsNursing Metaparadigm
NURSING METAPARADIGM
NURSING
PERSON HEALTH
ENVIRONMENT
Major Concepts and DefinitionsNursing Metaparadigm
PERSON
A unitary human being is...
...an “irreducible, indivisible, pandimensional energy field identified by
pattern and manifesting characteristics that are specific to the whole” (Rogers, 1992,
p. 29).
...an open system or human field
...in constant process with the environment
...more than the sum of his or her parts
Major Concepts and DefinitionsNursing Metaparadigm
ENVIRONMENT
An environmental field is...
...irreducible, infinite, pandimensional.
...specific to its human field.
...more than the sum of its parts.
...subject to innovative, unpredictable change.
...characterized by increasing diversity.
Major Concepts and DefinitionsNursing Metaparadigm
NURSING
Nursing is an empirical science. It becomes an art when used creatively for human betterment.
Its focal concern is people, the world they live in, and the life process, which causes them to change.
Its purpose is to advance health and well-being on a large scale.
It aims to promote harmony between human field and environmental field in a way which optimizes well-being.
Major Concepts and DefinitionsNursing Metaparadigm
HEALTH
“Health” is a value term.
it is defined by the individual or group based on manifestations that are considered to have high value (“health”) or low value (“illness”).
“Wellness” refers to the activity of an individual’s energy field.
Dynamic change represents movement along the wellness continuum. In an energy field, wellness is manifested in rhythmic consistency, higher frequency, and increasing pattern diversity.
Iatrogenesis & hypochondriasis are the major health problems in the US.
These indicate discord in the process between human field and environmental field-- specifically, between patient and healthcare environment.
Theoretical AssertionsDefinitions & Evolution, 1970-1992
H E L I C Y(EVOLUTION)
R E S O N A N C Y(CHANGE INTENSITY)
I N T E G R A L I T Y(WHOLENESS)
Continuous and nonrepeating: essential properties of change
Intensity of the evolution of an energy field, i.e. its wave pattern
Presence of a continuous mutual process of exchange between energy fields
From probabilistic, became unpredictable
Came to specify a change from lower to higher wave frequency
Evolved from the concepts of synchrony, reciprocy
H O M E O D Y N A M I C S(QUALITIES OF CHANGE)
The principles which describe the nature of the intrinsic change occurring in wave patterns, energy fields and the universe as a whole:
Theoretical AssertionsFive Supportive Assumptions
4. P A T T E R N :“Pattern and organization identify man and reflect his innovative wholeness”(p. 54)
5. S E N T I E N T B E I N G :“Man is characterized by the capacity for abstraction and imagery, language and thought, sensation, and emotion” (p. 73)
1. E N E R G Y F I E L D : “Man is a unified whole possessing his own integrity and manifesting characteristics more than and different from the sum of his parts” (p. 47)
2. I N T E G R A L I T Y :“Man and environment are continuously exchanging matter and energy with one another” (p. 54)
3. H E L I C Y : “The life process evolves irreversibly and unidirectionally along the space-time continuum” (p. 59)
(Rogers, 1970)
Acceptance by the Nursing Community
NURSING COMMUNITY
RESEARCH
EDUCATION
PRACTICE
Acceptance by the Nursing CommunityNursing Practice
CONCEPT: Existence is a totality of experienceAPPLICATION: Focus on continuum of care vs. episodic illness
C: Nursing is theoretical knowledge translated into creative actionA: Act using the intellectual, the abstract, AND the human; unify theory and practice
C: Wellness, not health, is the goalA: Do not target change that is traditionally valued as a “healthy,” favorable outcome; evaluate outcomes based on change in perception (observable pattern of human field)
C: Pattern manifests characteristics of the wholeA: Address disturbances using a holistic critical thinking process:(1) Pattern appraisal, (2) mutual pattern exploration, (3) evaluation of emerging perception
Acceptance by the Nursing CommunityNursing Practice: Rogerian Patterning Modalities
E X A M P L E S
ACUPUNCTURE AROMATHERAPY TOUCH / MASSAGE
GUIDED IMAGERY
GUIDED REMINISCENCE
HUMOR HYPNOSIS DIETARY MANIPULATION
MEDITATION SELF-REFLECTION
TRANSCENDENT PRESENCE
MUSIC
Acceptance by the Nursing CommunityNursing Practice: Rogerian Patterning Modalities (Cont’d)
V I T A L C O M P O N E N T S
MEANINGFUL DIALOGUE
CENTERING PANDIMENSIONAL AUTHENTICITY
GENUINENESS
TRUSTWORTHINESS
ACCEPTANCE
KNOWLEDGEABLECARING
Acceptance by the Nursing CommunityNursing Practice: Rogerian Patterning Modalities (Cont’d)
FACILITATORS EDUCATORS ADVOCATES
ASSESSORS PLANNERSCOORDINATORS/ COLLABORATORS
N U R S E S ‘ R O L E S
ACCEPTDIVERSITY
RECOGNIZEPATTERNS
VIEW CHANGEAS POSITIVE
ACCEPT THE CONNECTED-NESS OF LIFE
QUESTION TRADITIONAL
VALUES
WHILEACTING
AS
Acceptance by the Nursing CommunityNursing Education
ASSERTIONS
SEPARATE LICENSURE
CURRICULUM
RESEARCH COMPETENCIES
Nursing is a SCIENCE and a LEARNED PROFESSION.Nurses must commit to LIFELONG LEARNING.Nursing uses KNOWLEDGE for HUMAN BETTERMENT.
Associate’s Degree Nurse (technically oriented)Bachelor’s Degree Nurse (professionally oriented)
Professional Nurses should be WELL ROUNDED:educated in humanities, sciences, and nursing
Bachelor’s: Identify problems Use knowledge to improve practice Read research intelligently Master’s: Conduct applied research Doctoral: Conduct theoretical, fundamental research
Acceptance by the Nursing CommunityNursing Research: Emerging Theories
ROGERIAN MODEL
GRAND THEORY
NEWMAN:Health as
Expanding Consciousness
PARSE:Human
Becoming
MIDRANGE THEORY
HOMEODYNAMICS SELF-TRANSCENDENCE, ENLIGHTENMENT,
SPRITUALITY
TURBULENCE AND DISSONANCE AGING
INTENTIONALITY
UNITARY CARING
HUMAN FIELD MOTION
CREATIVITY, ACTUALIZATION,
EMPATHY
BARRETT (2010), BULTEMEIER (2002),
FLOYD (1983) REED (2003), MALINSKI (1994), SMITH (1994)
ALLIGOOD & MCGUIRE (2000), BUTCHER (2003)
UGARIZZA (2002), ZAHOUREK (2005)
WATSON & SMITH (2002)
FERENCE (1986)
ALLIGOOD (1991)
BUTCHER (1993), BULTEMEIER (2002)
Acceptance by the Nursing CommunityNursing Research: Approach
PURPOSE:Examine unitary human being as
integral with environment
Examine and understand
the phenomenon
Develop patterning activities
TYPES OF DATA:
QUALITATIVE:Appropriate. Descriptive, experiential, acknowledges diversity, universality, patterned change, demonstrates value of perception/sentient awareness
QUANTITATIVE:Less appropriate. Seeks to prove causal relationships, thereby oversimplifying causality
METHODS:
Instruments and practice tools derived from the
Rogerian model
Used to measure human-environmental field activity, interaction,
manifestation
Critique
CLARITY - Principles are difficult to understand- Lack of operational definitions- Inadequate tools of measurement- Applied for development of nursing science- Clear implications for nursing research
SIMPLICITY - Complex upon first inspection- Study / use uncovers “elegant simplicity” (Alligood, 2013, p. 230)- Few major concepts/assumptions, offers comprehensive theory
GENERALITY - Abstract model = broad in scope- Provides a framework for grand or middle-range theories
ACCESSIBILITY - Deductive: no immediate empirical support- Rogerian science has yielded testable theories, measurement tools
IMPORTANCE - Supports nursing’s developing identity as a science- Contains many suggestions for future studies- Utility for nursing practice, education, administration, research
Thank you for your attention!Questions?
References
Gunther, M. E. (2013). Unitary Human Beings. In M. R. Alligood (Ed.), Nursing Theorists and Their Work (220-239). Missouri: Mosby Elsevier.
Hanchett, E. S. (1992). Concepts from eastern philosophy and Rogers’ Science of Unitary Human Beings. Nursing Science Quarterly, 5(4), 164-170.
Rogers, M. E. (1970). An Introduction to the Theoretical Basis of Nursing. Philadelphia: F. A. Davis.