Grand Nursing Theories

Grand theory (sometimes called broad-range theory) addresses wide areas of concern in a discipline. Because of their scope and level of abstraction, grand theories do not readily lend themselves to testing.

This guide breaks Grand Nursing Theories down into three subcategories:

1. Grand Theories Based on Human Needs
2. Grand Theories Based on Interactive Process
3. Grand Theories Based on Unitary Process

(Source: Daemen Library)

Middle-Range Theories

Middle-range theories are narrower in scope than grand theories and deal with some part of a discipline's concerns related to particular topics. Because of the narrower scope and specificity of a middle-range theory, it is more readily useable and testable in research projects.

This guide breaks Grand Nursing Theories down into three subcategories:

1. High Middle-Range Theories
2. Middle Middle-Range Theories
3. Low Middle-Range Theories

(Source: Daemen Library)

Diffusion of Innovation Theory

• Diffusion of Innovation (DOI) Theory, developed by E.M. Rogers in 1962, is one of the oldest social science theories. It originated in communication to explain how, over time, an idea or product gains momentum and diffuses (or spreads) through a specific population or social system. The end result of this diffusion is that people, as part of a social system, adopt a new idea, behavior, or product. (Source: Boston University)

(Source: Les Robinson)

Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACE)

• Adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) can have a tremendous impact on future violence victimization and perpetration, and lifelong health and opportunity.  (Source: CDC)

Advancing Research and Clinical Practice Through Close Collaboration (ARCC) model

• The ARCC model focuses on system-wise implementation of evidence-based practice (EBP) and sustainability of EBP to achieve quality outcomes.

(Source: Gwenyth R Wallen)

Caledonian Development Model

• The model features practice-development activities, benchmarking, knowledge pooling and translation through membership of a community of practice and a virtual college.

Promoting Action on Research Implementation in Health Services’ (PARIHS)

• This framework argues that successful implementation (SI) of evidence into practice had as much to do with the context or setting where the new evidence was being introduced and how that new evidence was introduced (facilitated into practice) as it had to do with the quality of the evidence.

(Source: Lise Hounsgaard)

intergrated-Promoting Action on Research Implementation in Health Services’ (i-PARIHS)

• Its underlying philosophy is that implementing research into healthcare practice is complex, unpredictable and non-linear which therefore requires a flexible and responsive approach to implementation.

Stetler Model of Research Utilization

" ...a searchable, online collection of evidence-informed methods and tools for knowledge translation in public health." (Source: C B Stetler)

(Source: Tanya Island)

Evidence-Informed Health Policy Model

• This model combines the use of the best available evidence and issue expertise with stakeholder values and ethics to inform and leverage dialogue toward the best possible health policy agenda and improvements. (Loversidge)

Iowa Model

• The model delineates two domains of knowledge (systems and outcomes), each with three levels (patient aggregates, the organization, and the health care system). (Source: linked below)

 Johns Hopkins Evidence-Based Practice model for Nurses and Healthcare Professionals

• This model is a powerful problem-solving approach to clinical decision-making and is accompanied by user-friendly tools to guide individuals or groups through the EBP process. (Source: Johns Hopkins Medicine)

 The Health Equity Promotion Model

• Building upon the Minority Stress Theory and the Psychological Mediation Framework, [this model] integrates a life course development perspective within a health equity framework to highlight how (a) social positions (socio-economic status, age, race/ethnicity) and (b) individual and structural and environmental context (social exclusion, discrimination, and victimization) intersect with (c) health-promoting and adverse pathways (behavioral, social, psychological, and biological processes) to influence the continuum of health outcomes in LGBT communities. (Source: "Health Equality Promotion," linked below)

Community Resiliency Model

• The primary focus of this skills-based, stabilization program is to re-set the natural balance of the nervous system. (Source: CRM)

(Source: "The Community Resiliency Model" linked below)