Changing paradigms within psychiatry: implications for nursing research

A major shift in paradigms is occurring within contemporary psychiatry; the previously dominant psychological paradigm is being superseded by a biological paradigm. How should psychiatric nursing research respond to this challenge? The goal of this report is to explore three questions relevant to our answer: First, if we undertake a program of research in the neurosciences do we violate our profession's commitment to holism? Second, is there a danger that embracing the biological sciences will result in the loss of the art of psychiatric nursing? Third, what are the pros and the cons for patients and our profession in undertaking such a project? The author draws on the works of several scholars to explore these issues.