Nursing or interprofessional theories

Identify and briefly describe one of the nursing or interprofessional theories presented in the lesson that may be used in advanced nursing practice.
Explain the relevance of the theory to your intended practice specialty.
Describe a current healthcare issue, societal need, or practice problem in your intended practice specialty.
Analyze how the chosen theory could be applied to address the problem.

Full Answer Section

         
  • Outcome Expectations: The anticipated consequences of a behavior (e.g., "If I exercise regularly, I will feel better").
  • Self-Regulation: The ability to monitor one's own behavior and adjust it to achieve personal goals.
  • Reciprocal Determinism: The dynamic interaction between the individual, their behavior, and their environment, where each influences the other.

 

2. Relevance of SCT to My Intended Practice Specialty (FNP in Rural Kenya, Chronic Disease Management)

  SCT is highly relevant to my intended practice as an FNP focusing on chronic disease management in underserved rural communities in Kenya for several reasons:
  • Behavioral Change Focus: Managing chronic diseases like Type 2 Diabetes, Hypertension, and HIV in rural Kenya primarily relies on significant behavioral changes (diet, exercise, medication adherence) that require sustained effort. SCT provides a robust framework for understanding and influencing these behaviors.
  • Addressing Self-Efficacy: Many patients in rural settings may have low self-efficacy regarding managing complex chronic conditions due to limited education, past failures, or lack of support. SCT directly addresses this by providing strategies to build confidence.
  • Leveraging Community and Social Context: Rural Kenyan communities often have strong social networks and communal structures. SCT's emphasis on observational learning and environmental factors allows me to leverage these existing social dynamics to promote health behaviors. For instance, community health volunteers (CHVs) and patient support groups are integral parts of the healthcare landscape, and SCT can guide their effective utilization.
  • Holistic Approach: SCT's reciprocal determinism aligns with the holistic approach of advanced nursing practice, acknowledging that individual patient factors are inseparable from their social and environmental contexts when developing care plans.
  • Sustainable Interventions: By focusing on building self-efficacy and self-regulation skills, SCT aims for sustainable behavior change, empowering patients to manage their health long-term rather than relying solely on external directives.

Sample Answer

         

Nursing/Interprofessional Theory: Social Cognitive Theory (SCT)

  Social Cognitive Theory (SCT), originally developed by Albert Bandura, is an interprofessional theory that emphasizes the role of learning in the social context. It posits that human behavior is the result of dynamic interactions among personal factors (e.g., beliefs, self-efficacy, cognitive abilities), environmental factors (e.g., social norms, community resources), and behavioral factors (e.g., past experiences, skills).
Key constructs of SCT relevant to advanced nursing practice include:
  • Self-Efficacy: A person's belief in their ability to succeed in a particular situation or to execute a specific behavior.
  • Observational Learning (Modeling): Learning new behaviors or reinforcing existing ones by observing others.