Conceptual frameworks for clinical practice

The patient with neurologic dysfunction is confronted with an enormous challenge. First, he/she is faced with the physiologic and psychological changes associated with the condition. Secondly, this individual may require hospitalization, which demands adaptations in his/her self-concept and family roles and responsibilities. Thirdly, treatment of the dysfunction may necessitate long-term medical management which would challenge his/her self-care abilities and the functioning of the family system. The concepts of body image, self-concept, self-care, and family systems have been synthesized into a conceptual framework relevant to patient populations experiencing neurologic/neurosurgical problems. This conceptual framework provides a structure which can be utilized to explain the reactions and behavior of patients, formulate generalizations relevant to this population, and develop and test clinical protocols. Individual nurses interacting with neurological/neurosurgical patients need to utilize this conceptual framework to develop and test clinical protocols that are pertinent to their own unique clinical situation. Communication of the results of this process will foster the expansion of the scientific knowledge base for clinical practice.