Moyra Allen

Summary

In this video, the focus is on Moira Allen’s nursing theory, emphasizing health promotion. Allen, a Canadian nurse and educator, developed a model based on health as a dynamic and personal concept, separate from disease. Her model highlights the importance of collaboration, particularly with families, in fostering health. Health is seen as evolving through personal learning and active participation, especially within family settings. Allen’s work integrates systemic theories and social learning, positioning health promotion as the core goal for nurses, aiming to improve the well-being of individuals and families in various contexts.

Takeaways

• 😀 Moira Allen was a Canadian nurse and educator, known for her significant contributions to nursing theory and practice, particularly in health promotion.
• 😀 Her nursing model emphasizes the importance of health as a dynamic, multifaceted concept, rather than a simple continuum between health and disease.
• 😀 Allen's model considers health as something personal and constantly changing, shaped by adaptation and the pursuit of individual and family health goals.
• 😀 Family is central to Allen’s model; it is viewed as the unit of care, where each member influences the health of others, creating a reciprocal relationship.
• 😀 Health learning occurs through interpersonal relationships and in various settings such as the family, school, healthcare institutions, and workplaces.
• 😀 The main goal of nursing care in Allen's model is the promotion of health, achieved through maintaining, fostering, and developing health at both the individual and family levels.
• 😀 Allen’s model is influenced by systems theory, which sees individuals, families, and communities as interacting systems, and social learning theory, which emphasizes the role of relationships in health learning.
• 😀 Allen broke with the traditional idea of health as a simple continuum, arguing that health and illness are not opposites but can coexist independently.
• 😀 The model encourages active participation from individuals and families in their health learning, fostering self-discovery and engagement in health promotion.
• 😀 Nurses, according to Allen, should aim to form an alliance with individuals and families to promote health, focusing on collaboration and shared learning within the context of their environment.

Q & A

Who was Moira Allen and what were some of her key contributions to nursing?

Moira Allen was a Canadian nurse, educator, and theorist born in 1921. She contributed to the development of the nursing model known as the 'marginal model' and worked as a nurse during the war. She also founded the nursing journal 'Documentos de Enfermería,' now known as the Canadian Journal of Nursing Research, and promoted the distribution of nursing knowledge. She was awarded several honors in her home country and served as a consultant to the WHO.

What is the central concept of Moira Allen's nursing theory?

The central concept of Moira Allen's nursing theory is health promotion. She emphasizes that the primary objective of nursing is to form a partnership with the individual or family to promote health, and her model is influenced by systemic theories and social learning.

What are the three key concepts in Moira Allen's nursing model?

The three key concepts in Moira Allen's nursing model are health, collaboration (with family), and learning. These concepts guide the nurse's role and the overall approach to health care in the context of her theory.

How does Moira Allen define health in her model?

In Moira Allen's model, health is viewed as a dynamic, multidimensional concept. It is not part of a health-disease continuum but is considered an independent entity that can coexist with disease. Health is seen as a quality that evolves over time and includes adaptation and development to achieve a better quality of life.

What is the relationship between health and illness in Moira Allen's theory?

Moira Allen separates health and illness as independent concepts, although they are related. Health does not simply represent the absence of disease, and one can have an illness, such as a chronic condition, yet still be considered healthy.

Why is the family considered a central element in Allen's model of nursing?

The family is considered the unit of care in Moira Allen's model because it has a significant influence on the health of its members. Each family member impacts the family unit, and conversely, the family influences each individual. The family plays a crucial role in learning and promoting health within the community.

How does Allen's model view the role of nurses in the health system?

In Allen's model, nurses are seen as collaborators in the healthcare system, working alongside other professionals. The primary role of the nurse is to promote health by fostering partnerships with individuals and families, focusing on education and active participation in health management.

How does Moira Allen’s model approach health education?

Moira Allen’s model promotes health education through discovery and active participation, particularly within the family context. Learning occurs through interpersonal relationships and is influenced by the capacity of individuals, families, and communities to engage with the process.

What are the goals of nursing care according to Moira Allen's model?

The goals of nursing care according to Moira Allen's model are to maintain, promote, and develop health within the family and its members. This is achieved through the activation of learning processes, aiming for better health outcomes and quality of life.

What is the significance of the concept of 'health promotion' in Moira Allen's nursing model?

Health promotion is the core focus of Moira Allen's nursing model. It aims to enhance the health of individuals, families, and communities by encouraging active participation and teaching through discovery. The goal is to create sustainable improvements in health by fostering environments conducive to learning and adaptation.