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Middle range nursing theory for impaired health literacy
A B Silva1, J N M Araújo2, M V O Lopes3
1Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte, Natal, Brazil.
Objective:
This study aimed to begin the development of a middle range theory for the nursing diagnosis impaired health literacy.
Study Design:
Middle-range nursing theory.
Methods:
The theory was constructed based on data obtained from an integrative literature review and the concepts from Imogene King's Conceptual Model of Open Systems. The approach used involved five steps: defining the approach to constructing the MRT, determining key concepts, creating a pictorial diagram, formulating propositions and establishing causal relationships and evidence for practice.
Results:
The theory encompasses 14 etiological factors, eight defining characteristics, three associated conditions and two populations at risk. And nine propositions were developed.
Conclusions:
The early development of the middle-range theory for the nursing diagnostic proposition "impaired health literacy" allowed the compilation of the clinical antecedents and consequences necessary for an accurate diagnostic inference. Therefore, it offers a theoretical framework and a diagnostic structure that can be used for the inference of impaired health literacy. Understanding the factors that negatively impact individuals within the context of their clinical condition or treatment is an essential and evolving social practice. Further studies are needed to address the validation steps, especially regarding clinical validity, in order to favor the testing of the propositions and the recognition of evidence in clinical practice.
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