Nursing Theory: The Health Belief Model

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Table of Contents

Introduction
Chosen Theory
Evidence-Based Research
Predictions
Rationale and Support
Conclusion
References

Introduction

Nursing theories strongly support specialists in their practice. Also, a purposeful application of nursing theory to research is essential since it allows making the study more credible and reliable. The purpose of this paper is to discuss the nursing theory relevant to the approved clinical issue, which is the prevention of falls in senior patients.

Chosen Theory

Health Belief Model has been selected to support the research. This model is one of the oldest and most fundamental theories. The concept describes motivation as the main factor in an individuals decision-making related to his or her health. The domain pays particular attention to the state of a persons psychological preparedness for certain actions, as well as to his or her belief that certain behavior can reduce the likelihood of risks to their health (Barkway, 2013). The theory has been developed within the framework of traditional social psychology, and the main proposition underlying it is that the perception of a personal threat is the main prerequisite for changing a persons behavior. Consequently, patients should understand that certain actions (or absence of actions) could have consequences in the form of preservation or disruption of health (Barkway, 2013). The main components of this theory are individual differences among people, awareness of threats to health, expectations about the implementation of actions, and factors of employing a certain behavior.

Evidence-Based Research

In the past, the Health Belief Model was used rather narrowly. In particular, it was utilized to determine aspects contributing to or impeding the decision-making on the use of preventive medical care. Therefore, the concept was considered when describing the factors of seeking help when patients had no symptoms of a disease (Jones, Smith, & Llewellyn, 2014). It was used to investigate preventive behavior in the field of sexual behavior and transmission of HIV/AIDS. Gradually, this model was expanded to include other aspects. At present, it concentrates on studying motivation as a trigger of certain conduct.

In the current research, this model is employed in the study of preventive care and health promotion (Orji, Vassileva, & Mandryk, 2012). In addition, it is applied to researching sick role behaviors. In the current nursing practice, the model has been used to implement successful change in such areas as diet and weight management in both adults and minors, prevention of sexually transmitted diseases, health promotion, and many other domains as well. Therefore, this model is highly applicable to current nursing practice since its scope allows researching various behaviors and health-related decisions of patients.

Predictions

The model makes positive predictions regarding the potential of physical activity and increased education provided to senior patients in preventing falls. Based on the latest evidence, an individuals beliefs about personal risk and their expected consequences build the mechanism for changing his or her behavior and determining his or her willingness to act (Bishop, Baker, Boyle, & MacKinnon, 2015). Thus, to prevent falls in elderly patients due to increased physical activity, it is necessary to change their health belief system. This will help them to realize their vulnerability and understand the need to strengthen their muscles and balance to avoid falls and their negative consequences. Nurse inclusion and instruction are necessary to ensure the system of beliefs of patients can be changed. After patients have become aware of the necessity to exercise, their desire to engage in physical therapy will become their internal motivation.

Rationale and Support

The Health Belief Model is highly applicable to fall prevention. Since nursing interventions such as hourly rounding, specialist collaboration, and other measures aimed at securing patients proved to be ineffective, the need to shift the emphasis to patients has become evident. Falls in elderly individuals are the result of poor balance and weak muscle tone; therefore, patients should be stimulated to engage in physical therapy. This problem will be successfully alleviated when patients comprehend the need to participate in regular exercise, which can be achieved through changing their health belief system (Tkatch, Musich, MacLeod, Alsgaard, Hawkins, & Yeh, 2016). Therefore, the application of the model to a study on the effects of increased patient education combined with physical therapy to reduce falls in senior patients will help to validate this assumption.

Conclusion

Thus, it can be concluded that the application of a nursing theory is an essential element of nursing research. The Health Belief Model has been selected to support the study on fall prevention among senior patients. It will be utilized to change patients comprehension of their health and help to stimulate them to engage in physical therapy.

References

Barkway, P. (2013). Psychology for health professionals (2nd ed.). New York, NY: Elsevier.

Bishop, A. C., Baker, G. R., Boyle, T. A., & MacKinnon, N. J. (2015). Using the health belief model to explain patient involvement in patient safety. Health Expectations, 18(6), 3019-3033.

Jones, C. J., Smith, H., & Llewellyn, C. (2014). Evaluating the effectiveness of health belief model interventions in improving adherence: A systematic review. Health Psychology Review, 8(3), 253-269.

Orji, R., Vassileva, J., & Mandryk, R. (2012). Towards an effective health interventions design: An extension of the health belief model. Online Journal of Public Health Informatics, 4(3), 1-31.

Tkatch, R., Musich, S., MacLeod, S., Alsgaard, K., Hawkins, K., & Yeh, C. S. (2016). Population health management for older adults. Gerontology and Geriatric Medicine, 2, 1-13.

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