Concept Map of Peplau Interpersonal Theory, Essay Example

Paplau’s interpersonal theory is one of the theories that give a description and an explanation of the nurse client relationship. In the theory, Paplau gives some of the basic nursing roles. The theory includes the nurse-client relationship, which Paplau considers as the foundation of the nursing process. In addition, she also uses an interpersonal model, which is mainly a partnership between a nurse and a client instead of a client simply receiving treatment and the nurse giving out treatment as instructed by the doctor (Meleis, 1997). The other component of the theory is shared via the nurse description, observation, formulation, intervention, and validation. The seven distinct nursing roles of Paplau include resource role, stranger role, counseling role, expert role, active leadership, surrogate role, and technical expert role. The following diagram is a concept map of Paplau’s nursing theory (Potter & Perry, 1992).

As stated, Paplau’s nursing theory explains that the main purpose of nursing as a practice is to help other people identify the difficulties they are suffering from. Therefore, nurses are obliged to apply the various principles of human relations at all levels such as culture beliefs, past experiences, expectations, values and preconceived ideas to offer the best quality or recommendable nursing services (Wills & McEwen, 2002). A point to note is that nursing itself is an interpersonal process involving between individuals.

A typical case where the above model can be applied is with a patient suffering from stress related problem. In order to understand the patient, the nurse has to first understand the patient’s culture. Culture will enable the nurse get to know how to treat or handle the patient in a more responsible manner (Taylor & Lillis, 2001). The nurse will also ask the patient questions regarding his or her past such as possibilities of divorce cases or any other related problems or issues. After doing these and establishing the necessary nurse-patient relationship, the first phase of providing assistance begins. The phase is known as orientation phase, which is specifically a problem-defining phase. The next phase is exploitation phase, whereby the nurse extracts all the possible problems affecting the patient. At this phase, various concepts of psychology are taken into consideration to provide the possible diagnosis of the stress issue. The final phase involves provision of the appropriate or relevant solution to the patient’s problem.

References

Meleis, I. (1997). Theoretical Nursing: Development & Progress 3rd ed. Philadelphia, Lippincott.

Potter, A. Perry, G. (1992). Fundamentals of Nursing –Concepts Process & Practice 3rd ed. London: Mosby Year Book.

Taylor, C. &Lillis, C. (2001).The Art & Science of Nursing Care 4th ed. Philadelphia, Lippincott.

Wills, M. & McEwen M. (2002). Theoretical Basis for Nursing Philadelphia. Lippincott Williams& Wilkins.