Open Systems: A Conceptual Analysis - Essay Example

? Open Systems: A Conceptual Analysis Introduction A concept refers to a phrase of ment that sums up concepts, ideas and experiences. Concepts are tools that provide mental pictures, which in turn enable the discussion and examination of different occurrences or phenomena (Fawcett, 2005, p.4). The development of concepts is paramount to the general process of development of knowledge in the area of healthcare and medical studies. According to Meleis (2010), naming and explication of different concepts dictates the thinking and perception of people. The aim of this study is to offer a rational sense of the concept with regard to future applicability within the practice and research. This paper will supply an in-depth assessment of the concept of open systems. Open systems shall be defined, alternative terms supplied and distinct features identified. The antecedents and consequences of open systems will also be recognized, and other pertinent terms defined. In addition, a discussion shall ensue regarding model case of the concept and its effects in terms of education, leadership, nursing and education. Therefore, the purpose of this paper is to add to the knowledge of open systems by expounding on its features through a conceptual analysis. Currently, no concept analysis of open systems is present in literature. According to Lewin and Knafl (2000), the essence of talking about concepts is the explanation, as well as refinement that occur as a result of contribution to problem resolution within a discipline. This conceptual study is formulated through the framework established by Walker and Avant. An amended treatment of the aforementioned model spells out the application of significant characteristics, antecedents and consequences, as well as model cases. This analysis will utilize these guidelines to examine the concept of open systems. Historical review To facilitate understanding of the concept of open systems, an examination of prior intellectual information is pertinent. It is essential to put this budding concept into a historical standpoint to fully appreciate the position of science within the 21st century. Some substantial scientific progress has enlightened and altered the historical state of open systems. The concept of open systems was expanded through systems theory, under which open systems augment a non-referential, as well as non-representational post-humanistic view. This affirms the sophistication of realism in a formation that is non-deterministic. The open-ended system was developed by Raymond Williams. Pierre Bourdieu then developed the theory of practice. These two symbolize non-deterministic associations and are, hence open systems. The concept of open systems appreciates the hierarchical nature of different entities in which all organizational levels are made up of subsystems of elements or parts, which are integrated. As organizations differentiate, greater coordination and assimilation are required to merge system performance (Katz & Kahn, 1978). This means that the sophistication, coordination and dimension demands of an organization increase as different subsystems become specialized in terms of multiplication and functionality. The organization, as an example of an open system, alters its performance in response to exterior information signals, as well as negative feedback via a series of interactive modifications, which enable the system to change but still maintain its innate character (Katz & Kahn, 1978). In the theory of open systems, all systems and their resultant subsystems adhere to both internal and external feedback and demands. External demands to a nursing and healthcare organization include among others, environmental aspects like legislation and trends in labor markets and demographics. These healthcare institutions continually alter the functioning of their systems in response to feedback to counter entropy and informational indicators. Defining attributes According to Walker & Avant (2010), an essential element of conceptual analysis lies in recognition of defining attributes. Katz & Khan (1978) assert that an organization is made up of active input-output systems. The organization focuses on the sustaining environment to ensure its sustainability from progressive inputs, as well as through personal relations and persistent activities. The organization processes such inputs to churn out outputs. In essence, an organization is recognized as a social system, thus both the organization and its constituent subsystems struggle to obtain a vibrant, solid state in which regularities in the course of energy sustains the system’s stance and interruptions result in adaptation (Katz & Khan 1978). In order to ensure survival, the organization has to engage the counter entropy strategy. This is an unavoidable process of disbanding and chaos, which is brought by failure to translate energies or loss of inputs. An open system has to have negative entropy in order to guarantee its survival. The theory of open systems can be explained as a system that continually interacts and switches feedback with the exterior environment. Healthy open systems are those able to constantly exchange and examine feedback with their exterior environments and tailor their innate systems of control as needed to guarantee the system’s goals and pass crucial information back to the environment. The characteristics and attributes of an intricate adaptive system encompass the flowing: the elements or subsystems and restrictions of open systems alter over the course of time. In addition, the system’s roles and interaction with the external environment also changes with time. Antecedents and Consequences Two other important elements in conceptual studies are the clarification of antecedents and consequences. Walker & Avant (2010) identify antecedents as occurrences that must occur before the event of the concept. Antecedents include aspects that result in or precede the concept. Consequences, on the other hand, are events that occur due to the occurrence of the concept. Major antecedents in open systems are primarily the individual agents, which entail individuals who constitute hospital staff, the individual elements that comprise the immune systems in humans and the ants within an ant colony. Nonetheless, the quantities of agents with the capacity to interrelate with the environment comprise the essential antecedent that is needed for open systems. Emergence, as well as adaptation, is viable consequences. Emergence is defined as a comprehensive occurrence that is enhanced by diversity because of the substantial correlation and richer patterns. This is primarily notable in crises where groups react to calls for adaptation and organization to the requirements of that specific time. The challenge of organization in nursing and healthcare lies in the development of creative and emergent traits during times that are not critical. Model cases Walker & Avant (2010) propose that the picture of a model case is to show the essential aspects of the concept in question. A model case comprise of all defining attributes found within the concept. This is a feasible and genuine example of the treatment of the concept. The following example encompasses all the defining attributes associated with the open systems concept. Horbar et al. (2001) and other researchers (16 in number), representing a range of specialties that included several nurses, formulated a study of results for patients, which centered on neonatal intensive care by utilizing a multidisciplinary, collaborative model of development. Collaborative improvement as an example of a framework has been used severally by units and other service-based teams in healthcare institutions. The study built on previous research by assessing collaboration between different institutions and proved to be a stronger module as it encompassed large comparison control groups. The 10 chosen neonatal intensive care units (NICUs) were segmented into two subgroups where 6 NICUs focused on nosocomial infections, which were measured by degrees of coagulase-negative staphylococcal and other pathogenic bacteria. The remainder intervention group focused on chronic lung ailments, which were tested by death or the requirement for supplementation of oxygen for at 35 weeks’ at adjusted gestation periods. 66 other NICUs served as control groups. The patients were typically infants whose birth weights were between 501-1500g and born or admitted into hospital within 28 days after birth on or between 1994 and 1997. The 10 NICU interventions entailed up to 3800 patients; the 66 control NICUs encompassed up to 21,509 patients. This study showed evidence of substantial improvements in patient outcomes where collaborative improvement compared with outcomes of the control groups. The most essential measure and the result was not merely the merit of a specific clinical technique that enhanced patient outcomes. Rather, the entire process was the main point. The research outcomes, although rather humble than expected at the beginning of the research, confirmed the findings of formers studies. This study involved numerous agents who were self-organized to enhance the richness of their interrelations, which was already existent in healthcare institutions, consciously. There was great emphasis on the entire group as an intervention tool rather than promotion of one provider or leader. No single individual controlled or guessed the outcomes of the aforementioned inventions. The second case explains the use of buffer inventories as a viable way out to unpredictable staff requirements. Agency burses have the capability to reduce operational costs. However, this may end up being damaging to clinical results in various scenarios. In an analysis of an ICU, upon controlling patient features, patients that receive care under agency nurses are notably at greater risk of blood stream infections than those served by permanently assigned nurses. This is typically because agency nurses may have lower familiarity with unit practices, as well as team functioning, having obtained little or no training with regard to central venous catheter care. Borderline case These allow readers to understand what concepts are not. Doran (2006), showcases the link between patient attributes, nursing interventions and clinical results. Patient functional and cognitive position is linked to the nursing interventions that are performed. Conversely, nursing interventions somewhat mediate the relationship between cognitive position at baseline and upon discharge. This signals that other variables can also influence the result of attainment. Empirical referents According to Walker & Avant (2010), empirical referents refer to classes that are used to examine and assess a concept or establish the existence of the concept in the actual world. In addition, empirical referents are methodologies used to measure the presence or lack of defining attributes (Meleis, 2011). They are unique and quantifiable and are applicable in concept evaluation. Empirical referents offer healthcare professionals such as nurses with a clear phenomenon through which they can test and examine open systems in healthcare organizations. The empirical referents showcase the relational system of open systems through the utilization of inputs and outputs, which are essential in the areas of healthcare and nursing. Open systems are developed from elements that are easily removable and replaceable through multiple-sourced options. This means that their interfaces can be defined and are open to assessment. This, however, requires an open architecture, as both the standards of the interface and the architecture employ ownership and governance features, which have to be determined sufficiently for an open system to be successful. Open systems should sustain equilibrium in alternating events or environments; otherwise they will be unable to function effectively to meet their goals. Relevance to nursing Open systems are intriguing concepts within the book of system theory and, therefore, have immense relevance to the field of nursing. Systems theory is a robust tradition within the profession. A systems approach was identified in the early 20th century in the US, by Dorothy Johnson. She was the institutor of the behavioral system model in 1959 (Fawcett, 2005). Johnson’s module centers on holism, which asserts that individuals are not reactive, but rather active and that individuals are capable of adjusting to their environments. The aim of nursing is to impart assistance to persons and families suffering from system imbalances. More American nurses continue the tradition of expressing a systematic overview of nursing and healthcare. In the 1960s, Imogene, M. King suggested that a general systems framework should be adopted. The framework focused on three interactive systems i.e. the personal, interpersonal and the social system. She asserted that such systems are not only open and dynamic, but also interactive and connective communication links (Fawcett, 2005). Martha Rogers enhanced systems thinking in the nursing field, in America, through her 'Science for Unitary Human Beings’, which was submitted at a significant conference in 1978. While the system was more theoretical than previous models, she drew on the understanding of physics through discussions of energy fields and the notion that persons and the environment are irreducible and indivisible wholes (Fawcett, 2005). Finally, Sister Callista Roy through her adaptation model of the early 1970s built on the previously developed systems and the work performed by Johnson. Roy recognized that the growing body of knowledge in quantum physics by asserting that living organisms were not only complex, but also non-linear processes of interaction. This robust tradition in healthcare and nursing, which has augmented the connections and interrelations within system models continue today. The theory of open systems simply denotes the next stage of appreciating how systems work and operate. Conclusion The concept of open systems is paramount to the understanding of the growing field of open systems. The theory signifies the positive correlations of different agents who self-organize and establish adaptations that surface through ways that cannot be controlled or predetermined. Applications within healthcare and management have been examined and authenticated through literature. The application of comprehension of healthcare institutions as open systems entails the formulation of an atmosphere of improving relationships, listening to people and encouraging innovative ideas to be established. This is done through the creation of non-threatening changes to attract people. Nursing and healthcare have a lengthy and deep tradition of appreciating designs and appreciating and appreciating systems. It is clear that an understanding of open systems will augment healthcare and nursing in the 21st century. References Doran, D. (2006). Nursing Outcomes: The State of the Science. Sadbury: Jones & Bartlett Publishers. Fawcett, J. (2005). Analysis and Evaluation of Contemporary Nursing Knowledge: Nursing Models and Theories. Philadelphia: F. A. Davis. Horbar J., Rogowski J., Plsek P., Leahy K. & Carpenter J. et al. (2001) Collaborative Quality Improvement for Neonatal Intensive Care. Pediatrics 107, 14–22 Katz, D. R. L. & Kahn (1978). The Social Psychology of Organizations. New York: Wiley. Knafl, B. L. (2000). Concept Development in Nursing. Philadelphia: Saunders. Lewin, R. B. R. (2001). Weaving complexity and business: engaging the soul at work. Bradford: Texere. Meleis, A. I. (2011). Theoretical Nursing: Development and Progress. New York: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins. Walker, L. O. & Avant, K. C. (2010). Strategies for Theory Construction in Nursing. 5TH edition. Upper Saddle River, NJ:Prentice Hall. Read More