
Theory Project Post-Theory Presentation
Student Name
NURS 600
Maryville University
Introduction
Dorsey and Murdaugh have significantly contributed to nursing through their theories, emphasizing behavioral health and patient autonomy (Jean-Baptiste, 2022). Their work provides a framework for improving nursing care by addressing health behavior changes within social and cultural contexts. These theories were chosen for NURS600 Assignment 7.2 because they address critical issues in modern nursing, such as patient-centered care and health optimization through behavior modification.
Biographical Information
Dorsey
Dorsey’s extensive educational background includes advanced degrees in nursing and public health. She specializes in behavioral health and has decades of experience in clinical and academic settings. Her achievements include writing influential books and articles, receiving prestigious awards for nursing research, and mentoring future nursing scholars (Froncek, 2020).
Murdaugh
Murdaugh’s education includes a master’s and doctorate in nursing, focusing on health promotion and patient education. She has a rich professional history as a clinician and nurse educator. Her work is renowned for patient-centered care initiatives, including the Assertiveness Training Program for nurses and groundbreaking contributions to core nursing theory texts (Froncek, 2020).
Rationale for Selection
The theories proposed by Dorsey and Murdaugh are highly relevant to contemporary nursing practice. They highlight social factors and health behaviors essential for creating effective nursing interventions (Edwards, 2022). These theories help nurses address diverse patient needs by emphasizing patient activation and social support. Their foundation strengthens patient-centered care and advances health outcomes, vital to addressing current nursing challenges.
Overview of Theories
Scope of Theory
Dorsey and Murdaugh’s theories focus on behavioral health, emphasizing nurses’ roles in altering patients’ health behaviors. Their work stresses the importance of behavioral approaches in managing chronic diseases and promoting preventive care (Alcera, 2022).
School of Thought
The theorists’ perspectives are rooted in understanding the social and cultural environments that influence patient behaviors. Their work advocates for health promotion approaches that address social determinants of health alongside behavior modification (Alcera, 2022).
Central Concepts
Key concepts in their theories include:
- Self-efficacy is the belief in one’s ability to execute actions promoting health.
- Health beliefs: Perceptions and ideas patients hold about their health.
- Social support: Interpersonal structures that provide emotional, informational, and tangible assistance to sustain healthy behaviors (Alcera, 2022).
Importance of Patient Empowerment
Dorsey and Murdaugh emphasize the importance of engaging patients as active decision-makers in their care. This approach fosters equal partnerships between patients and healthcare providers, improving health outcomes through collaborative decision-making (Alcera, 2022).
Contributions to Nursing/Healthcare
Impact on Nursing
The theories of Dorsey and Murdaugh have reshaped nursing by integrating behavioral health into patient care. They emphasize the role of social, cultural, and psychological factors in determining health behaviors, empowering nurses to design tailored care strategies that meet individual patient needs (Buck, 2024).
Key Publications
- Promoting Health Behavior Change: A Comprehensive Guide: Explores motivational interviewing and behavioral interventions for health promotion (Hagger et al., 2020).
- Understanding Health Beliefs: Foundations for Patient-Centered Care: Examines how patients’ health beliefs influence their actions, providing insights for personalized care (Grover et al., 2021).
- Social Support and Health: Strategies for Nursing Practice Highlights the role of social support in health promotion and compliance with medical regimens (Lee & Oh, 2020).
Theory-Practice Connection/Application
Examples in Healthcare
Dorsey and Murdaugh’s theories have been applied in programs such as smoking cessation and promoting physical activity. Nurses use these theories to motivate patients, overcome barriers, and encourage the involvement of social support networks for sustained behavioral changes (Orsal & Ergun, 2021).
Application in Nursing Care Settings
Their theories guide nurses in understanding patients’ perceptions of chronic illnesses and self-efficacy. This insight helps tailor patient education and engagement strategies, enhancing treatment compliance and fostering independence (Orsal & Ergun, 2021).
Importance of Patient-Centered Care
By emphasizing patient preferences and beliefs, these theories encourage care planning that aligns with patients’ needs. This approach improves satisfaction, compliance, and overall care quality (Orsal & Ergun, 2021).
Relationship between Dorsey and Murdaugh
Common Themes
Both theorists address the influence of social, cultural, and environmental factors on health behaviors. They advocate for addressing social determinants of health to promote positive behavioral changes (Faan et al., 2023).
Shared Focus on Patient Empowerment and Behavioral Health
Dorsey focuses on self-efficacy, while Murdaugh emphasizes health beliefs and social support. Together, their theories provide a comprehensive framework for patient-centered care (Faan et al., 2023).
Collaborative Influence
Their combined contributions offer a holistic approach to nursing, integrating psychological, social, and environmental elements to enhance patient outcomes and nursing practice (Faan et al., 2023).
Critique of Theories
Strengths
Dorsey and Murdaugh’s theories provide a holistic understanding of behavioral health and equip nurses with tools to design targeted interventions for diverse populations. Their frameworks promote a comprehensive approach to care, improving patients’ quality of life (Faan et al., 2023).
Limitations
Challenges include variability in patient responses to behavioral interventions and the need for empirical testing across diverse populations. Addressing these limitations will enhance the theories’ applicability and effectiveness in clinical practice (Faan et al., 2023).
Conclusion
The work of Dorsey and Murdaugh provides valuable theoretical models for advancing health behavior change in nursing. Their emphasis on self-efficacy, health beliefs, and social support has significantly influenced patient-centered care and holistic wellness. These theories offer actionable insights for addressing social and cultural factors, enhancing the nursing profession’s ability to meet diverse patient needs.
References
Alcera, R. L. (2022). Health, wellness practices, and work performance variables of employees in the University of Eastern Philippines system. Journal of Positive School Psychology, 6(7), 993–1011993–1011. https://journalppw.com/index.php/jpsp/article/view/11253
Buck, M. (2024). Care of the critically ill non-trauma patient: Improving emergency department readiness and patient care through the implementation of a dedicated resuscitation bay. Doctor of Nursing Practice Final Manuscripts.
https://doi.org/10.22371/07.2024.009
Edwards, D. (2022, November 1). A critical commentary that addresses the needs of vulnerable populations in healthcare: Evidence from mixed methods systematic reviews. Orca.cardiff.ac.uk.
https://orca.cardiff.ac.uk/id/eprint/154191/
Faan, M. J. S., PhD, RN, RN, P. R. L., PhD, & CNE, R. D. C., PhD, RN, NE-BC. (2023). Middle range theory for nursing. In Google Books. Springer Publishing Company. https://books.google.com.pk/books?hl=en&lr=&id=QvN8EAAAQBAJ&oi=fnd&pg=PA381&dq=it+is+evident+that+Dorsey+and+Murdaugh+share+the+social+and+cultural+explanatory+factors+of+health&ots=gOH2hDZGJA&sig=FV0KCnLoUuDoXUcBEh_gMjeLSok&redir_esc=y#v=onepage&q&f=false
Froncek, J. (2020). Incarcerated adults’ perceptions of remaining opiate free upon release. Regis University Student Publications (Comprehensive Collection).
https://epublications.regis.edu/theses/986/
Grover, S., Fitzpatrick, A., Azim, F. T., Ariza-Vega, P., Bellwood, P., Burns, J., Burton, E., Fleig, L., Clemson, L., Hoppmann, C. A., Madden, K. M., Price, M., Langford, D., & Ashe, M. C. (2021). Defining and implementing patient-centered care: An umbrella review. Patient Education and Counseling, 105(7). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pec.2021.11.004
Jean-Baptiste, D. M. (2022). Individuals with sickle cell disease using SBAR as a communication tool: Secondary data analysis. Repository.escholarship.umassmed.edu.
https://doi.org/10.13028/kyap-9c16
Lee, M. K., & Oh, J. (2020). Health-related quality of life in older adults: Its association with health literacy, self-efficacy, social support, and health-promoting behavior. Healthcare, 8(4), 407. https://doi.org/10.3390/healthcare8040407
Orsal, O., & Ergun, A. (2021). The effect of peer education on decision-making, smoking-promoting factors, self-efficacy, addiction, and behavior change in the process of quitting smoking of young people. Risk Management and Healthcare Policy, Volume 14, 925–945. https://doi.org/10.2147/rmhp.s280393
Related Assignment sample for this: NURS600 Assignment 7.1 Theory Outside Evaluation
People Also Search For
Dorsey and Murdaugh are theorists who emphasize behavioral health, patient autonomy, and social support. Their work helps improve patient-centered care and nursing interventions.
The key concepts include self-efficacy, health beliefs, and social support. These ideas focus on empowering patients to take an active role in their health and well-being.
Their theories guide nurses in creating behavioral health interventions, fostering patient empowerment, and addressing social and cultural factors affecting health behaviors.
Nurses use these theories to support behavior change programs, educate patients, and develop personalized care plans that incorporate social and emotional support systems.




