Women's health. Changing definitions; changing times

Area of Science:

• Nursing Philosophy
• Social Determinants of Health
• Healthcare Ethics

Background:

• Rapid social and economic changes necessitate value clarification for individuals and professionals.
• Evolving societal demands and changes within the nursing profession require continuous re-evaluation of personal and professional philosophies.
• The women's health movement highlights a shift in healthcare, challenging paternalistic tendencies and empowering consumers.

Purpose of the Study:

• To emphasize the need for self-evaluation of personal and professional philosophies in nursing.
• To explore the implications of social change on healthcare values and decision-making.
• To advocate for a model that integrates contextual and developmental dimensions in evaluating health phenomena.

Main Methods:

• Utilizing Woods' schema for evaluating health phenomena, considering context and developmental dimensions.
• Encouraging personal and professional self-evaluation of values and philosophies.
• Analyzing the impact of the women's health movement on consumer expectations and professional responsibilities.

Main Results:

• Constant re-evaluation of life and nursing philosophies is essential due to personal, professional, and social changes.
• Woods' schema provides a model for self-evaluation, informing decisions on public policy and behavior.
• Healthcare professionals must acknowledge and adapt to increased consumer demand for information, shared decision-making, and valued experiences.

Conclusions:

• Informed decisions regarding public policy, personal behavior, and social consequences require a foundation in clarified values and philosophies.
• The healthcare field must address paternalistic tendencies and embrace the growing influence of the consumer and women's health movements.
• Valuing consumer experiences and perspectives is paramount for collaborative treatment planning and evaluation in modern healthcare.