A Critique of Margaret Newman’s Theory of Health as Expanding Consciousness Essay Example

vital importance is Dr. Newman’s recognition and thus promotion of nurse/caregiver-patient relationships often commencing dring periods of uncertainty, disruption and unpredictability. Nurses are thus, aspect of change in their interactions with their patients and vice versa. Therefore, nurses are able to experience joy through participation in the increasing process of other individuals in aiding their interconnectivity with the universal realm, and consequently, are positively transformed and enhanced themselves (Newman, 2010).

Thus, in analyzing the above theory, I shall use Chinn & Kramer’s model for evaluating theory. Accordingly, the increase in a variant of nursing theories necessitates a need for their evaluation through critical analysis. Guidelines have been created to aid in the above, as espoused by Chinn and Kramer (1998). Their guideline is inclusive of a theory’s simplicity, clarity, generality, its derivable consequences and empirical precision. These are the five uniting assumptions that are based on human beings life process. In addition, there are four concepts that are utilized to develop principles, which postulate on the development of human beings.

Accordingly, clarity refers to the clear understanding of a theory, and its inherent concepts being interrelated through connected propositions that are stated clearly. Theories should thus be congruent from their core paradigms being enhanced by diagrammed relationships. Thus, considering the abovementioned factors, Newman is correct in identifying the interconnected nature of human health, as part of a wider Universal scheme. She is of the view that energy patterns characterize a human being’s overall health, in resonance with the universe’s energy.

The simplicity of Newman’s theory is not well encapsulated, as her theory is rife with a number of complex issues, among them the understanding of

universal energy that is vital to the well-being of all humans. It is important to mention that health, according to her, is pegged on the individual’s energy pattern being inclusive of aan illness or not. Through her view of overall health as being an interrelated between a disease/illness on one side and bodily health on the other, is indicative of the notion that disease is not included in a person’s health status (Chinn & Kramer, 1998).

Thus, in generality, her theory is broadly applicable, as it is not limited by either situation or time. Due to the interrelationship between nurses and their patients, the theory is evident in a framework of differing situations. This may be pegged on the fact, that it is unlimited by the presence of a patient’s condition/ illness. Though stated, it is not that simple to comprehend, and thus cannot be broadly generalized.

On empirical precision, the theory can only be tested indirectly through limited operational definitions. The theory, however, lacks much research in support of its premises and thus, it is immeasurable. Due to this, its derivable consequences pertaining to its importance and adoptability options is not well accepted, as there is limited research and clinical practice so as to ascertain its practicability.

Furtherance to this is the fact that it deviates from the core assumption of human health being the lack/absence of an illness/disease in a human body, by stating that the presence of the illness in a person, does not in the overall instance affect his/her health. An illness, according to the theory, is a part of the individual’s energy pattern and thus does not affect his/her health (Meleis,

2011).

In conclusion, Dr. Newman bases her arguments on the fact that the overall health and wellbeing of an individual is pegged on their expansion of consciousness and that persons suffering from illness cannot have the illness separated from them. However, positive interactions from a patient-nurse are vital for positive energy flow on not only the patient’s dimension, but also the nurses, thus a positive vibrancy in the universal energy.