Nursing Care vs Medical Care: Using Henderson's Theory - Essay Example

Running Head: NURSING CARE VS. MEDICAL CARE Topic: Nursing Care vs. Medical Care: Using Hendersons Theory Lecturer: presented: Introduction In healthcare, there are different professionals who offer various skills to help patients to recuperate. Nursing and medicine are amongst them, each playing a critical role in the process of the patient’s recovery. The two have clear-cut differences in regard to their relationship with the patient (Glasby and Dickinson 2009). For practicing nurses, it is important to understand these differences in order to ensure that all the patient’s demands are met. There are several nursing theories that try to give a definition and an outlook of what nursing entails. This paper focuses on Henderson’s definition of nursing, and her theory will be used to support the arguments. It is a critique of the differences between nursing and medicine in regard to the role that they play in the healing process, the kind of care that they offer as well as the education they undertake before becoming professionals. It discusses nurse-client relationship, and also compares and contrasts nursing care versus medical care. Through Henderson’s theory, the paper provides a critical analysis of how well patients can be assisted to gain independence in meeting their fundamental needs. Nurse-Client Relationship Henderson’s definition of nursing was based on her believe that patients lacked the physical ability and intellectual knowledge to do certain things for themselves, which were capabilities that only nurses possessed (Virginia 2000). This leads to the presumption that the role of nurses is to assist the patients to do what they are unable to do because of lack of certain abilities. It works towards generating self dependence among patients in order for them to continue with their normal lives. The relationship between a nurse and a patient is therefore strong, with the nurse undertaking all actions with more focus on the sick person than the sickness. This means that nursing mainly focuses on behavior and functions of the patients, which include the day to day activities, body functions and requirements such as taking medication. The close relationship requires understanding, and the patient has a major role to play in ensuring that instructions are adhered to. These instructions are usually in the form of advice regarding the patient’s behavior. The patient is advised regarding issues such as meals, body posture while resting, movements, dressing and hygiene issues, communicating with the nurse regarding feelings and the body’s reaction to medication. The relationship between the nurse and the patient is usually therapeutic, and it arises from constant interaction for a period of time. At times, the interaction may be short such that relationships do not develop but mainly the contact is usually for therapeutic purposes. Clients usually present their needs to the nurse who has essential knowledge and experience regarding solving such issues. The interactions may not necessarily be in a hospital setting, but may also take place in the communities whereby nurses educate clients on lifestyles that enhance good health. The nurse establishes a relationship with clients through regular interactions while making follow-ups in order to ensure that they are able to prevent diseases through safe living. A nurse collects data regarding the patients to be used for indicating the response to intervention. Nurses are also concerned about a person’s growth and development. They advice pregnant women regarding safe habits and also assist them with essential information about caring for the newborn (RNABC Policy Statement 2002). They serve as an important source of knowledge for clients. Nursing Care versus Medical Care Medical care is a practice that involves diagnosing a disease in patients and using the knowledge acquired in medicine to prescribe medication to patients. The participation of the sick person is usually not required for the physician to prescribe medicine. Some time the physician treats a patient who has adversely been affected by a disease or injury leading to incapacitation. In such a case, the doctor’s role is to diagnose the extent of the injury and prescribe medicine regardless of whether the patient is conscious. He/she works to ensure that the procedures of best practice are followed in order for the patient to recuperate without participation. Some patients remain in a coma for months or even years. The doctor uses his knowledge, experience and understanding in medicine to ensure that the patient regains strength. However, he/she does not keep an eye on the patient throughout his/her time in hospital. Rather, he depends on the progress report regarding his intervention on the patient from the nurse who is knowledgeable and able to offer nursing care to the patient, especially when he/she regains consciousness. As Henderson stated in her definition, the nurse is in-charge of ensuring that the patient functions properly; for example, he/she needs to lie in a position whereby it is possible to breath, dispose waste, take medication as prescribed by the physician, remain in hygienic conditions and many other supportive roles that facilitate the healing process (Anonymous 2009). In essence, without the services of a nurse, it is likely that the patient may not recuperate within the expected period. For example, after a physician prescribes the appropriate medication to a patient, it might not be useful if there is no follow-up to ensure that the prescriptions are adhered to, especially if the physical ability of the patient is meager. When the patient sis able to speak and communicate his feelings, the patient has to establish a rapport that is important in the process of recovery. This is relationship not useful in medical care, but the nurse acquires knowledge regarding the patient’s progress through it in order to determine the suitability of intervention. He/she uses this knowledge as a basis for advising the physician regarding the patient’s response to treatment (Johns 2009). In some cases, there might be adverse side effects which require a review of the medication. The relationship between the nurse and the patient ensures that the nurse keeps track of the progress, hence the doctor remains informed. The nurse therefore serves as a link between the physician and the patient in the recuperation process. This is an indication of the interdependence between the two professionals. Without the nurse’s intervention some core activities in the healing process may not be accomplished. It is important that patients remain under surveillance to ensure that the living conditions do not jeopardize the healing process. In many healthcare settings, the doctor is in-charge of decision making regarding the actions to be taken. Medical care involves interpretation of the results from the tests that have been conducted on the patient. This is the core to the diagnosis of a disease, and making a decision regarding the medication to be prescribed. On the other hand, it is important for him/her to be adequately prepared to undergo the diagnosis, which is an important role that nurses play. More over, the duties of nurses allow them to work in a number of fields, in contrast with medical care that requires high specialization in a particular field. Physicians usually diagnose the disease in their areas of expertise. When they are doubtful regarding the ailment, or on the realization that the disease does not fall in the scope of their specialization, they usually refer the patient to the physician who specializes in that area. Nursing care does not operate under specialized conditions. It provides support to patients from a variety of illnesses as well as feedback to all the doctors involved even if the patient has been referred to a different physician (“Nurse”, 2007). Even though medical care and nursing care are focused on helping the patient to regain strength and embark on normal routine, it is important to understand that their interventions are distinct in regard to their specific purpose. Medical care is focused on the disease. This is what causes the individual to lose strength, its origin, and to offer expertise in treating the disease so that the body systems get back to their normal functions. This may require complex activities such as surgical operations on the body organs, after which medication is prescribed. On the other hand, nursing care is concerned with the patient. It is not focused on the disease but the ability of the patient to recuperate after the physician’s intervention. This is the reason why nurses can work with instructions from a wide range of specialists in human diseases. Nursing care does not vary like medical care because the needs and behaviors of patients in a range of diseases are closely inter-related. Nursing care is important in prevention of diseases. The nurse is highly skilled in maintenance of good health, for example through ensuring that patients do not suffer from hospital acquired infections, ensuring that babies are properly immunized, and advising people who have recovered from ailments on ways to ensure that diseases do not reoccur (“Nurse”, 2007). Doctors are also informed on the causative factors for the ailments that they treat, but they are mainly concerned with curing these diseases. Nursing care is important in helping the public to maintain lifestyles that do not jeopardize their health. For example, a nurse can offer important advice to a person regarding the impact of excessive consumption of alcohol, smoking and substance abuse on the body organs. If such habits lead to disease, for example liver or heart disorders, it is the duty of the doctor to treat the patient and advise the nurse regarding the medication, after which nursing care applies until the patient recuperates. According to Karen et al (2009), “medical care and nursing care vary mainly in the manner of intervention by the doctor and the nurse” p 852. In this example, the nurse comes first in advising the patient concerning the possible ailments that may result from individual lifestyle, and also comes last to ensure that the patient recuperates completely. Medical care comes in between and is very specific on the disease. Assisting the Patient to Gain Independence in Meeting Fundamental Needs Henderson mainly focused on the duties of a nurse to help the patient to achieve self dependence in the normal daily activities (Virginia 2000). Initially, the patient is usually under a condition that suppresses the normal body movement, and feeding among other daily activities. As a nurse, it is important to help the patient to ensure that the medications are taken correctly and at the right time. In the wards where patients are maintained as they regain their strength, the nurse plays an important role to ensure that all their needs are met, especially concerning waste disposal and personal hygiene. Recovery can not be achieved if these vital interventions are not undertaken. The nurse prepares the patient for the doctor to make his/her assessment. They also ensure that the patient does not suffer from stress related problems and therefore the provision of recreation and other social intervention such as worshiping are important roles of the nurse. More over, as a nurse, it is important to ensure that the patient understands what is happening outside the ward. This is important in facilitating the patient to regain strength. In other words, working as a nurse confers a person the role of ensuring that patients can do the basic activities they would do if they were not suffering from the disease. These do not include the activities that are beyond the reach of nurses, such as driving and other personal tasks. Conclusion Nursing and medicine are vital professions in healthcare. Even though they are different in terms of the manner of interventions involved while dealing with the patient, both are essential in helping an individual to recuperate. The nurse usually establishes a close relationship with the patient which is useful in understanding the progress in regard to the healing process. On the other hand, the physician mainly focuses on the disease, and is usually concerned with curing the disease. In this essay, it is clear that the nurse is not a subordinate of the physician. Rather, nursing care and medical care are needed for effective recovery of the patient. The main difference arises mainly in their roles and relationship with the patient. In order for a patient to attain independence, the nurse plays a significant role in helping him/her to perform the duties that he could do if he would not be sick. References Anonymous (2009). The Differences between a Nurse and a Doctor. Nursing Degree Guide, Retrieved Sept. 19, 2009, from http://www.nursingdegreeguide.org/articles/general/the_differences_between_a_nurse_and_a_doctor/ Glasby J. and Dickinson H. (2009). International Perspectives on Health and Social Care: Partnership working in action, Wiley-Blackwell. Johns C. (2009). Becoming a Reflective Practitioner, 3rd Edition, Wiley-Blackwell. Karen S., Nicola C., and Molly C. (2009). “Nurse Prescribing in Dermatology: Doctors and non Prescribing nurses views”. Journal of Advanced Nursing, 65(4) pp 851-859 Nurse vs. Doctor: The Major Differences. (2007). Nursing Online Education Data Base. Retrieved Sept. 19, 2009, from http://noedb.org/library/features/nurse-vs-doctor-the-major-differences RNABC Policy Statement. (2002). Nurse-Client Relationships: Establishing Professional Relationships and Maintaining Appropriate Boundaries (Nursing BC). CBS Interactive Inc. Retrieved from http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_qa3916/is_200210/ai_n9139926/ Virginia H. (2000). "Excellence in Nursing." American Journal of Nursing 100 p 961. Read More