Martha E.
Rogers
The Science of Unitary Human Being
Presented By :
Muhammad Shoaib
Ansa kanwal
MSN 1st Semester
Presented To:
Dr Najma Naz
Assistant Professor INS-KMU
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Objectives
At the end of this Presentation the Learner
will be able to:
Explain historical background of the theorist.
Describe the major concepts and Assumptions of the
theory.
Explain the Usefulness, strengths, and limitations of
the Rogers theory.
Discuss the application of theory in clinical
practice.
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Martha E. Rogers
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Introduction To The Theorist
Born :May 12, 1914, Texas, USA.
Diploma : Knoxville General Hospital School of
Nursing(1936)
Graduation in Public Health Nursing : George
Peabody College, 1937
Master’s degree (MA) : Teachers College at
Columbia University in 1945
MPH: Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore in 1952
(McEwen & Wills, 2014)
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Introduction To The Theorist
Doctorate in nursing: Johns Hopkins University,
Baltimore, 1954
Position: Professor at Division of Nursing, New
York University
Died : March 13 , 1994
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Work of Theorist
Martha Rogers wrote three books:
Educational Revolution in Nursing (1961)
Reveille in Nursing (1964).
An Introduction to Theoretical
basis of Nursing (1970)
Publication Of Marta Rogers
Theoretical Basis of Nursing (1970)
Nursing Science and Art: A Prospective (1988)
Nursing: Science of Unitary, Irreducible, Human Beings Update
(1990)
Vision of Space-Based Nursing (1990).
(McEwen & Wills, 2014) 6
Overview of the theory
Martha Rogers' theory is a grand nursing theory,
which means it provides a broad framework for
understanding nursing and human beings. Her
theory focuses on the idea that humans are unitary
beings—meaning they are whole, indivisible, and
cannot be broken down into parts. Humans are
seen as energy fields that constantly interact with
the environment, which is also an energy field. 7
Major Assumptions
Human being is considered as united whole possessing
Wholeness integrity and manifesting the characteristic that are more
than and different from the sum of its parts
A person and his environment are continuously
Openness exchanging matter and energy with each other
The life process of human being evolves irreversibly and
Unidirectional unidirectional i.e. from birth to death
Pattern and Each person has a unique energy pattern that makes them
different from others
organization
Sentence and Humans is characterized by the capacity for abstraction
and imagery , language and thought , sensation and
thought emotions
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Central Concepts (Building Blocks)
Energy Field Pattern
Pan-
Openness Dimensionality
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Energy field
According to Rogers, everything in the universe, including
humans, is made up of energy fields. These fields are dynamic,
constantly changing, and infinite.
Example: Think of a person as a glowing ball of energy. This
energy field includes their physical body, emotions, thoughts,
and interactions with others.
(Alligood, 2013)
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Pattern
Each person has a unique pattern that defines
them.
This pattern is like a fingerprint—it’s what makes
each person different.
This pattern reflects a person’s health thoughts,
and experiences.
(Alligood, 2013)
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Openness
Humans and their environment are open systems,
meaning they constantly exchange energy with each
other. There are no boundaries between a person and
their environment.
Example: A patient in a hospital is not isolated from
their surroundings. Their recovery is influenced by the
hospital environment, the care they receive, and even
the emotions of their family members
(Alligood, 2013)
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Pan-dimensionality
Time and space are not fixed; they are flexible
and can change based on human perception.
Example: Some people recover from illnesses
faster than expected, sometimes due to positive
thinking, spiritual practices, or alternative
healing methods. Their experience of time and
space affects their healing process.
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Homeodynamic principles
Rogers proposed three principles to explain how
humans and their environment interact:
Resonancy
Helicy
integrality
(McEwen & Wills, 2014)
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Homeodynamic principles
Resonancy
Energy fields are constantly changing, and these changes follow a wave-like pattern.
Example: A patient’s mood might fluctuate throughout the day—happy in the
morning, sad in the afternoon, and calm in the evening. These changes are part of
the resonancy of their energy field.
Helicy
The nature of change is unpredictable, continuous, and an innovative.
Example: A patient recovering from surgery might experience ups and downs. One
day they feel great, and the next day they feel worse. This unpredictability is part
of the helicy principle.
Integrality
Humans and their environment are constantly interacting and influencing each other.
You can’t separate a person from their environment.
Example: A patient’s recovery is influenced by their home environment. If they have
a supportive family, they might recover faster than someone who lives alone and
feels isolated. (McEwen & Wills, 2014)
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Roger’s theory and nursing
• h
metaparadigm • h
Human Environment
Health Nursing
• nn
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Roger’s theory and nursing
metaparadigm
Human- Unitary human being:
In Rogers' theory, a person is seen as a unified whole,
more than just the sum of their parts (like organs or
systems). They are energy fields that are constantly
changing and interacting with the environment.
Environment:
The environment is also an energy field that is inseparable
from the person. It’s not just the physical surroundings
but includes everything that interacts with the person.”
(McEwen & Wills, 2014) 17
Roger’s theory and nursing
metaparadigm
Health
Health, in Rogers' view, is a state of well-being that reflects
the person’s harmony with their environment. It’s not
just the absence of disease but a dynamic balance.
Nursing
Nursing, according to Rogers, is about promoting harmony
between the person and their environment. Nurses help
people achieve their highest potential for well-being by
understanding and working with their energy fields.
Nursing is learned profession that is both a science and art.
(McEwen & Wills, 2014)
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Application of Roger’s theory in
nursing
rch
• Research • Nursing
• Clinical
Practice Education
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Strengths Of Roger’s theory
Holistic Approach:
Rogers' theory encourages nurses to see patients as
whole beings, not just collections of symptoms.-
Broad Framework:
It provides a wide perspective that can be applied to
many different nursing situations.
Focus on Individuality:
Each patient is unique, and their care should reflect
that.
(McEwen & Wills, 2014)
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Weaknesses Roger’s theory
Abstract Concepts: The theory uses terms like "energy
fields" and "pan-dimensionality," which can be hard
to understand and apply in real-life nursing.
Lack of Specific Guidance: The theory doesn’t provide
clear steps for how to care for patients, so nurses have
to interpret it themselves.
Hard to Test: Because the theory is so abstract, it’s
difficult to test scientifically.
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Analysis Of Critique Usefulness
Importance to Nursing.
Rogers' theory offers a unique perspective (or "worldview")
that helps nurses understand patients as whole beings, not
just as a collection of symptoms or body parts. This
perspective can guide nurses in creating theories, asking
questions, and finding solutions for different situations.
Abstract Philosophical Framework.
Rogers' model is abstract, meaning it doesn’t provide
specific steps but offers a broad, philosophical way of
thinking about nursing. It emphasizes that humans are
dynamic and constantly interacting with their environment.
(McEwen & Wills, 2014)
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Testability
Because of the model’s abstractness, Rogers’
work is not directly testable but it provide
hypotheses, that are tested in research.
(McEwen & Wills, 2014)
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Parsimony
This theory is relatively parsimonious.
Despite its simplicity , it is difficult for many
nurses to comprehend because the concepts
are extremely abstract.
(McEwen & Wills, 2014)
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Application of Roger’s system model
to nursing care of Mrs zahida
Unidirectional move
toward achieving
Maximum health with in
Discharged
her limits using resources Nursing care
in hospital, home and
society Hospitalization and
Diagnosed as septicemia
Rehabilitation
Frequent
hospitalization
Future Life
Attack of stroke right
hemiplegic
Affected social life
Regular treatments
Living with son doing
start
households activities , good
social relation Diagnose DM and
HTN
Healthy and active
house wife (Aranha, 2018) 25
Example of the Theory in Practice
• Patient: Mrs. zahida, a 65-year-old woman who
had a stroke and is now partially paralyzed.
• Energy Field: Mrs. zahida’s energy field
includes her physical condition (paralysis), her
emotions (feeling depressed), and her
environment (living with her son).
• Pattern: Mrs. zahida is a religious person who
used to be very independent. Now, she feels
lonely and dependent on others.
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Resonancy and Helicy
Resonancy: Her mood fluctuates—sometimes
she’s hopeful, and other times she’s
withdrawn.
Helicy: Her recovery is unpredictable. Some
days she makes progress, and other days she
feels stuck.
(Aranha, 2018)
27
Integrality
Integrality :
Her family plays a big role in her recovery. Her
son is worried about how to care for her at
home.
(Aranha, 2018) 28
Nursing Diagnosis
Self-care deficit related to immobility.
Impaired skin integrity related to prolonged bed rest
Impaired social interaction related to activity
intolerance
Interrupted family process related to financial crisis.
Anxiety related to prognosis of the disease.
Knowledge deficit of the caregiver related to
homecare management.
Risk for complications related to the chronic illness.
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Nursing care
Nursing Care: The nurse focuses on Mrs. zahida
whole being, not just her physical condition.-
They help her family make changes at home
to support her recovery.- They provide
emotional support to help her cope with her
new reality.
(Aranha, 2018) 30
References
Alligood M, R. (2013). Nursing theory utilization and
application. (5th ed.). St. Louis, MO: Mosby Elsevier
McEwen, M. & Wills, E. M. (2014). Theoretical Basis
for Nursing. (4th Ed): Philadelphia Lippincott Williams
& Wilkins.
Aranha, P.R. (2018). Application of Rogers’ system
model in nursing care of a client with cerebrovascular
accident. Manipal Journal of Nursing and Health
Sciences, 4(1), 50-56
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