1. Faye G. Abdellah Patient-Centered Approaches to Nursing
Nursing Theory Presentation
Keesha Holden-White & Marie Laramee

2. Faye G. Abdellah Background Accomplishments (McEwen, 2007)
Born -March 1919
Nursing Diploma from Fitkin Memorial Hospital
Columbia University
Bachelors Degree in Nursing 1945
Masters Degree in Physiology 1947
Doctorate in Education 1955
Accomplishments (McEwen, 2007)
U.S. Public Health Service
Chief Nurse Officer
Deputy U.S. Surgeon General
Uniformed Services University of Health Sciences
Founder and First Dean, Graduate School of Nursing
Yale University School of Nursing
Nursing Instructor
Research (Lessing, 2004)
Assisted in international nursing research studies during the Korean War (China, Japan, Australia, Russia)
Abdellah’s research findings led to the first federally-tested coronary care unit in Connecticut
Theory and research data led to the establishment of the Office of Long-Term Care
Dr. Faye Glenn Abdellah
RN, Ed.D., Sc.D., FAAN RADM(Ret.), USPHS

3. Faye G. Abdellah’s Theory
Abdellah’s model describes concerns of nursing rather than a theory describing relationships among phenomena. Her theory provides a foundation for determining and organizing nursing care (McEwen,
“Nursing is based on an art and science that mold the attitudes, intellectual competencies, and technical skills of the individual nurse into the desire and ability to help people, sick or well, cope with their health needs” (Nursing Theories, 2010)
Originated from nursing practice & desire to promote patient-centered comprehensive care
Shifts focus of the profession from disease centered to patient centered
Concepts of health, nursing problems, and problem solving are interrelated
Describes nursing as a service to society
1960
(McEwen & Wills, 2007)

4. Patient-Centered Approaches to Nursing is……..
A Human Needs Theory
Human beings have universal and objective needs for health and autonomy and a right to their optimal satisfaction.
Focus
Nursing Education
Nursing Practice
Purpose
To guide patient care in the hospital and
community settings
(McEwen, 2007)
“What is patient-centered care?”

5. Abdellah’s Typology of Nursing Problems (Nursing Theories, 2010)
Purpose
To provide a method to evaluate a student’s experiences and means of evaluating a nurse’s competency based on outcome measures
Three Areas
Physical, sociological, and emotional needs of the patient
Types of interpersonal relationships between the nurse and the patient
The common elements of patient care

6. Abdellah’s Typology of Nursing Problems
To promote good hygiene and physical comfort
To promote optimal activity, exercise, rest, and sleep
To promote safety through prevention of accidents, injury, or other trauma and through the prevention of the spread of infection
To maintain good body mechanics and prevent and correct deformities
To facilitate the maintenance of a supply of oxygen to all body cells
To facilitate the maintenance of nutrition of all body cells
To facilitate the maintenance of elimination
To facilitate the maintenance of fluid and electrolyte balance
To recognize the physiologic responses of the body to disease conditions
To facilitate the maintenance of regulatory mechanisms and functions
To facilitate the maintenance of sensory function
To identify and accept positive and negative expressions, feelings, and reactions
To identify and accept the interrelatedness of emotions and organic illness
To facilitate the maintenance of effective verbal and nonverbal communication
To promote the development of productive interpersonal relationships
To facilitate progress toward achievement of personal spiritual goals
To create and maintain a therapeutic environment
To facilitate awareness of self as an individual with varying physical, emotional, and developmental needs
To accept the optimum possible goals in light of physical and emotional limitations
To use community resources as an aid in resolving problems arising from illness
To understand the role of social problems as influencing factors in the cause of illness
Purpose
To guide care and promote use of nursing judgment
(McEwen & Willis, 2007)

7. 10 Ways to Identify a Client’s Problem
Learn to know the patient
Sort out relevant and significant data
Analyze and make generalizations about available data
Identify the therapeutic plan
Test generalizations with the patient and make additional generalizations
Validate the patient’s conclusion about his nursing problems
Continue to observe and evaluate the patient over time to identify any attitudes and clues affecting his behavior
Explore the patient’s and family’s reaction to the therapeutic plan and involve them in the plan
Identify how the nurse feels about the patient’s nursing problems
Discuss and develop a comprehensive nursing care plan
(McEwen & Wills, 2007)

8. Nursing Diagnosis Requirements of Care 21 Nursing Problems
“Nursing is the use of problem solving approach with key nursing problems related to health needs of people” (Abdellah et al., 1960)
Requirements of Care
21 Nursing Problems
Sorted into 4 groups
Problems r/t comfort, hygiene and safety
Physiologic Balance
Psychological and Social Factors
Sociologic and Community Factors
Classified in 4 Levels
Sustenal Care
Remedial Care
Restorative Care
Preventative Care
Nursing Diagnosis
(Nursing Theory, 2010)

9. 2000 Inducted into the National Women’s Hall of Fame (www. greatwomen
2000 Inducted into the National Women’s Hall of Fame (
“We cannot wait for
the world to change
Those of us with intelligence, purpose, and vision must take the lead and change the world. Let us move forward together!......I promise never to rest until my work has been completed!” – Faye G. Abdellah (

10. Applying Abdellah’s Theory to Current Nursing Practice
Marie:
I find that parts of the theory fit my physician office work well as it states that it “aims to help people, sick or well, cope with their health needs” (Nursing Theories, 2010) and that is the goal of primary care in physician offices.
The 21 nursing problems are relevant to the office setting just as they are to the hospital.
Keesha
In the critical care setting, my current practice has shifted from nursing care exclusive to the disease to addressing the patient’s immediate health care needs. Abdellah’s Theory equips me with specific guidelines as to how I can better manage a variety of patient conditions in the ICU.
Abdellah’s “Ten Ways of Identifying a Client’s Problem” is utilized in the clinical setting and are necessary in initiating and implementing the nursing care plan.
Nursing programs encourage nursing students to utilize patient- centered approaches in the clinical setting
Problem solving approach is utilized by practitioners in guiding treatment plans within their practice. Especially within practices that deals with clients who have specific health care needs and specific nursing problems
(Nursing Theories, 2010)