Betty Neuman

1924-present

The Systems Model

Neuman was one of the first two nurses to develop the nurse counselor role within community crisis centers.

The Neuman Systems Model is based on the theory of general systems. Stating that living organisms are an open system in interaction with each other and the environment around them.

What kinds of mental illnesses can you think of that are affected by their environment?

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Check out this link and quiz yourself on how much you know about this theorist...
http://currentnursing.com/nursing_theory/Neuman.html

http://nursingplanet.com/Quiz/nursing_theory_quiz1.html

A few other links with interesting information:
http://www.neumansystemsmodel.org/

http://www.nurses.info/nursing_theory_person_neuman_betty.htm

Betty Neuman via youtube.

The Systems Model reflects that health and the person has interactive systems that must all be functioning in unison to form a health individual. Many times it is difficult to get the person, health, and environment to coincide for a positive, healthy existence. One or more of these ingredients out of sequence can be cause of many illnesses both mental and physical.
Can you think of a time when something in the environment affected you and your health?
What about conflict within your self? Can worry or stress affect your mood, body, health?

Here is a little humor about how some medical facilities attempt to correct situations in ones health.

So make sure you read your chapters and know The Systems Model for our classroom discussions and case studies tomorrow.
Happy Health :)

References

Alligood, M. R. & Tomey, A. M. (2010). Nursing theorists and their work (7th ed.). Maryland Heights, MO: Mosby Elsevier.