Nurse Educators Examine the Applicability of Health as Expanding Consciousness Theory: A Qualitative Review Study

Abstract

Background: Health as expanding consciousness (HEC) is a grand theory by Margaret Newman, and itis one of those key tools to be used in order to understand a patient as a whole. The theory is based onidentifying the pattern of an individual. The HEC focuses on all aspects of the individual as a social, cultural,physical, emotional, and spiritual. It works for understanding the disease as well as other factors pertainingto the pattern of the individual.Objective: The present review study is aimed to provide inside comprehension on the applicability andfeasibility of HEC from nurse educator perspectives based on review of qualitative studies.Results: This study shows how successfully the theory was applied to coronary heart disease patients,women with multiple sclerosis or rheumatoid arthritis, and pain during perioperative period. Thus, the theoryis effective in all scenarios and provides the nurse ways to understand patients from varied backgrounds. Theauthors of reviewed studies used the hermeneutic-dialectic approaches as a tool for the research study. Thenurses played an important role by help the patients to recognize their pattern and move to a higher level ofconsciousness. The nurse-patient relationship built on mutual trust and respect, which helped both nursesand clients to interact effectively in order to identify their pattern.Conclusion: Newman’s theory can be applied in every nursing setting in both short and long-term interactionwith the patient.