The Betty Neuman Systems Model applied to practice: a client with multiple sclerosis

The importance of nursing theories and models for the growth and development of the profession of nursing is widely acknowledged. The variety of nursing phenomena and situations demands some flexibility in the choice of specific conceptualizations to be used. This paper demonstrates the goodness of fit of the Betty Neuman Systems Model to the care of clients with multiple sclerosis. An adapted assessment tool, based on Neuman's tool, but more useful in the acute care medical setting, is used to gather data related to a woman with recently diagnosed multiple sclerosis. A nursing care plan illustrating the use of Neuman's model is generated, implemented and evaluated. The Neuman Model is demonstrated to be useful and effective in the implementation of the nursing process in this case.