Theory and Practice Correlation
Theory and Practice Correlation
Theory and Practice Correlation
INTRODUCTION
The so-called correlation of theory and practice seems to be a continuing issue of concern. Theory and practice are reciprocally related.
What is Theory ? Theory is the poetry of Science Theory refers to an abstract generalization Levine (1995)
that offers a systematic explanation about
Nursing Theory
Nursing theory is an organized and systematic articulation of a set of statements related to questions in the discipline of
nursing.
Contd
Assist nurses to describe,explain,and predict everyday experiences. Serve to guide assessment,intervention and evaluation of nursing care. Provide a rationale for collecting reliable and valid data about the health status of the clients Help to establish criteria to measure the quality of nursing care Enhance autonomy of nursing by defining its own independent functions
Correlation
Correlation implies that 2 or more aspects are brought into relation with another. In nursing education, theory is related to practice Theoretical foundation of nursing practice enhances scientific practicing
The so-called integration of theory and practice has not yet been achieved, but
Failure in closure of theory practice gap how does it affect the learners?
This problem affects the academic and personal development of learners regarding: Inability to solve problems Rigidity and dependency in the execution of patient care. Fragmentation of patient care. An apathetic attitude in clinical practice.
Common factors that interfere in theory practice integration and solutions for rectification
1. Lack of exposure to theoretical principles during contd the basic educational program.
Educational Issues:
All nurses in clinical practice need to expand their knowledge through ongoing exposure to new theoretical concepts and nursing research through continuing educational programs.
Many nursing researchers / scholars have limited clinical involvement. Time constraints limit their ability to develop relationships with practicing nurses.
Conversely, the majority of nurses in practice have little or no direct contact with nurse theorists or researchers
Contd
Those who propose theory and conduct research recognized the need to involve in clinical practice.
Studying clinical related problems and using terminology that can be easily understood by clinical nurses.
The theoretical knowledge base of nursing must meet the demands of the changing health care system.
Contd
Lack of emphasis given to practical skills in the classroom. The under utilization of different teaching learning strategies.
Contd
Increased workload. Conflict between educators and management. Theory is too idealistic & impractical. Lack of formal feedback on formative evaluation. Lack of planned accompaniment of students.
Contd.
- Selection of theories to be applied in a practice situation - Practitioner is faced with 2 issues accessibility & preference - Reasons for the practitioner to choose a specific theory for application
a. Past experience b. Familiarity c. Degree of social approval d. Confidence in the applicability e. Abstractness of theories f. Transferability
Contd
Choice of intervention - Actual enactment of theory - Involves the mechanics and process involved in enactment of theory choices
2.Concept maps
Depicts concepts and the relationship of concepts visually. A concept map helps to integrate new knowledge with old by creating a knowledge graph that depicts networks of
3.Reflective practice
A kind of practice develops through personal reflection on ones own practice. Gain in Personal insight Meaning Growth Guided reflection (one aspect of reflective practice) To investigate students experiences of the application of theory to practice.
Contd
4. Assignment
that include complex clinical problems. 5.Group discussion.
Role of Educators
Active involvement in the identification of clinical problems, problem solving & decision making. Enhance critical analysis & model their own thinking process. Demonstrate to learners the application of theoretical concepts and knowledge in practice.
Contd
Demonstrate to learners how to individualise nursing care. Have learners work together (will help learners to apply skills to a diversity of problems. Use different educational strategies. Provide meaningful learning experiences in which learners can correlate theory and practice.
Curriculum
CONCLUSION
It has been suggested by many researchers that
Theory practice integration can be facilitated only if Joint Planning is implemented regarding curricula, teaching methods, and assessment criteria, and the different roles of educators and clinical personnel are clarified.