CORRELATION OF THEORY AND

PRACTICE MRS .SHYLA ISAAC,M.Sc.N.,

PRINCIPAL,SREE ABIRAMI COLLEGE OF NURSING ,

COIMBATORE

INTRODUCTION The so-called correlation of theory and

practice seems to be a continuing issue of

concern. Theory and practice are reciprocally

related.

“Theory without practice is sterile and practice without theory is blind”

What is Theory ? “Theory is the poetry of Science” –

Levine (1995)Theory refers to an abstract generalization

that offers a systematic explanation about

how phenomenon are interrelated.

Nursing Theory

• Nursing theory is an organized and

systematic articulation of a set of statements

related to questions in the discipline of

nursing.

What is ‘Practice Theory’Practice theories are more specific and

produce specific directions for practice.

They contain fewest concepts and refer to specific, easily defined phenomena.  

They are narrow in scope, explain a small aspect of reality and tend to be prescriptive.

Purposes of theory in practice

Contd…

• Assist nurses to describe,explain,and predict everyday experiences.

• Serve to guide assessment,intervention and evaluation of nursing care.

• Provide a rationale for collecting reliable and valid data about the health status of the clients

• Help to establish criteria to measure the quality of nursing care

• Enhance autonomy of nursing by defining its own independent functions

Correlation • Correlation implies that 2 or more aspects are brought

into relation with another.

• In nursing education, theory is related to practice

• Theoretical foundation of nursing practice enhances scientific practicing

Relationship between theory and practice

• Reciprocal relationship.

• Practice is the basis for nursing theory development and nursing theory must be validated in practice.

• Theory is rooted in practice and refined by research and it should be reapplied in practice.

How does theory influence practice ? Organizes nursing care Sets standards for practice Describes settings in which practice occurs Identifies recipients of nursing care. Sets the nursing process format and

content. Designs systems of nursing care delivery.

The Theory – Practice Gap

• The so-called integration of theory and

practice has not yet been achieved, but

seems to be a continuing issue of concern.

Failure in closure of theory practice gap –how does it affect the learners?

This problem affects the academic and personal development of learners regarding:

• Inability to solve problems • Rigidity and dependency in the execution of

patient care. • Fragmentation of patient care. • An apathetic attitude in clinical practice.

Common factors that interfere in theory practice integration and solutions for

rectification

contd…Educational Issues:

1. Lack of exposure to theoretical principles during the basic educational program.

All nurses in clinical practice need to expand their knowledge through ongoing exposure to new theoretical concepts and nursing research through continuing educational programs.

2. Disparity between nursing researchers / scholars and practicing nurses.

Many nursing researchers / scholars have limited clinical involvement.

Time constraints limit their ability to develop relationships with practicing nurses.

Conversely, the majority of nurses in practice have little or no direct contact with nurse theorists or researchers

Contd… • Those who propose theory and conduct

research recognized the need to involve in clinical practice.

• Studying clinical related problems and using terminology that can be easily understood by clinical nurses.

Changes in health care delivery Nurses face many challenges posed by

changes in the health care delivery system.

(eg.) decrease length of hospital stay has reduced the time available for preoperative & post operative teaching and discharge planning.

• The theoretical knowledge base of nursing must meet the demands of the changing health care system.

Overall Reasons for lack of theory practice Integration

Hidden curriculum – learning takes place

although it is not formally planned.

Lack of careful curriculum development –

the theory does not compliment the

practice.

Contd…

• Lack of emphasis given to practical skills in the

classroom.

• The under utilization of different teaching – learning

strategies.

• Lack of role models in the practical setting.

Contd…

• Increased workload.

• Conflict between educators and management.

• Theory is too idealistic & impractical.

• Lack of formal feedback on formative evaluation.

• Lack of planned accompaniment of students.

CORRELATION OF THEORY AND

PRACTICE

APPLICATION OF THEORY IN PRACTICE

• Application of theory in practice requires an understanding of concepts associated with the needs of a patient

• Involves recognition of when & how to use these concepts in planning & implementing care

• Chinn & Kramer (2004) suggested guidelines for applying theory in practice

Guidelines for application of theory in Nursing practice

The process of applying theory into practice

• Formulating a view - Practitioner interprets & formulates a view

of the situation - Mental representation of the practice situation emerges

• Identifying problems - Arriving at a specific conjecture about nursing problems

Contd….• Focus for applying theory

- Selection of theories to be applied in a practice situation - Practitioner is faced with 2 issues – accessibility & preference - Reasons for the practitioner to choose a specific theory for application a. Past experience b. Familiarity c. Degree of social approval d. Confidence in the applicability e. Abstractness of theories f. Transferability

Contd…

• Choice of intervention - Actual enactment of theory - Involves the mechanics and process involved in enactment of theory choices

Methods to enhance theory practice Integration :

Some of the teaching strategies are:

1.Problem based learning

Student learning is organized around self directed

work,

Makes students responsible for their learning

regarding a particular problem.

2.Concept maps

Depicts concepts and the relationship of concepts visually.

A concept map helps to integrate new knowledge with old by creating a knowledge graph that depicts networks of concepts.

3.Reflective practice

A kind of practice develops through personal reflection on one’s own practice. Gain in

Personal insightMeaning Growth

Guided reflection (one aspect of reflective practice)

To investigate students’ experiences of the application of theory to practice.

Contd…

4. Assignment

that include complex clinical

problems.

5.Group discussion.

Theory & practice in nursing education

The thinking skills necessary for theory – practice correlation are :

Skill acquisition

Critical & creative thinking process

Thoughtful application

Role of Educators

– Active involvement in the identification of clinical problems, problem – solving & decision making.

– Enhance critical analysis & model their own thinking process.

– Demonstrate to learners – the application of

theoretical concepts and knowledge in practice.

Contd…

– Demonstrate to learners – how to individualise nursing care.

– Have learners work together (will help learners to apply skills to a diversity of problems.

– Use different educational strategies.

– Provide meaningful learning experiences in which learners can correlate theory and practice.

Curriculum

Should include every possible requirement

to enhance professional & personal growth of

learners in becoming independent, safe

professional nursing practitioners.

CONCLUSION • It has been suggested by many researchers that

Theory – practice integration can be facilitated only

if Joint Planning is implemented regarding curricula,

teaching methods, and assessment criteria, and the

different roles of educators and clinical personnel

are clarified.