Neuman's Systems Model was used as a guide to the assessment and intervention for a dysfunctional family. The model gave direction to the selection of family therapy as the appropriate and successful intervention. The case example illustrates the application and use of Neuman's model in child and adolescent nursing practice.

Adolescent↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Planning a continuum of care in child psychiatric nursing. A collaborative effort.

A guide for providing a continuum of care for children in need of psychiatric services from the least restrictive services (outpatient care), to a moderately restrictive setting (partial hospitalization), to the most restrictive setting (inpatient care) is described. Movement along the continuum is facilitated by the nurse case manager. Concepts from three theoretical frameworks are integrated to define goals, criteria, and expected outcomes for each level of care along the continuum. They are Neuman's (1982) systems model for nursing practice and education, Caplan's (1961) model for primary prevention of mental disorders in children, and Frances, Clarken and Perry's (1984) differential therapeutics. The continuum provides a guide for nurses and other health care providers to achieve high quality care as economically as possible. It also enhances self-care and self-responsibility for families of disturbed children by offering a sequential graded system of care along the health-illness continuum.

Adolescent↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Evaluation of an inservice education program regarding aggressive behavior on a psychiatric unit.

A four-part inservice program on dealing with aggressive behavior on a psychiatric unit was developed, presented, and evaluated. The program was aimed at meeting staff members' cognitive, emotional, and psychomotor needs. Twenty-seven staff members participated. The program was successful in reducing extreme levels of burnout among staff members, and occurrences of patient aggressive behavior resulting in incidents declined after the program. Staff members reported that they felt more confident in dealing with aggression. Protocols and nursing care plans were developed, and ongoing support groups to examine staff members' feelings were established.

Aggression↗