The Social Ecological Model (SEM) has been selected as my theoretical framework for the Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) capstone project.

Relevance of the SEM to the Phenomenon of Interest

            The SEM is relevant to the focal subject of inquiry in the FNP capstone project, which centers on mitigating healthcare inequities within marginalized populations (Mahmudiono et al., 2019). The selected framework exhibits a direct correlation with the phenomenon at hand:

Holistic Perspective

            The SEM is characterized by its notable attribute of including various levels of influence, which is highly congruent with the intricate nature of healthcare access challenges encountered in marginalized areas. This is consistent with the program’s objective to tackle healthcare inequalities, as it acknowledges that various contextual circumstances influence individual behaviors. These groups’ healthcare access and utilization can be considerably affected by factors such as limited health literacy, cultural barriers, and socioeconomic position (Nonyel et al., 2021). The SEM approach offers a comprehensive viewpoint by recognizing and tackling these variables at multiple levels. 

Flexibility in Research Approaches

            The flexibility of the SEM is helpful in the context of investigating healthcare disparities. The study framework provides flexibility for employing both quantitative and qualitative research methodologies, enabling the research team to customize their approach based on the specific aims and challenges of the investigation (Mahmudiono et al., 2019). For example, using quantitative research methodologies, such as questionnaires and record reviews, enables data collection pertaining to healthcare accessibility and health outcomes. Simultaneously, qualitative methodologies such as focus groups and interviews can effectively explore the social and cultural factors that impact the accessibility of healthcare. The inherent versatility of this characteristic facilitates a thorough investigation of the phenomenon.

Contextual Relevance

            The SEM strongly advocates the examination of contextual factors, as it plays a critical role in effectively addressing healthcare inequities. Underserved communities exhibit distinct social, economic, and cultural circumstances that influence their ability to obtain healthcare services. The SEM framework comprehensively examines the distinct requirements and obstacles encountered within a community by considering the individual, interpersonal, organizational, community, and policy dimensions (Mahmudiono et al., 2019). The presence of contextual relevance in interventions guarantees that they are customized to address the inequities experienced by these populations effectively.

            In conclusion, the SEM provides a thorough and appropriate theoretical framework for the FNP capstone project, enabling a comprehensive comprehension of healthcare disparities in marginalized areas. Careful planning and resource allocation are necessary to fully utilize the SEM’s potential in solving these communities’ complicated healthcare access concerns despite the model’s complexity and resource requirements posing hurdles.

DISCUSSION POST # 2 Reply to Moruph

For my capstone project, I am going to be writing about the Diabetes Mellitus treatment’s non-adherence, its implications, and resolutions. A theoretical framework I am going to use for this project is the Orem-Self-Care deficit theory. According to Utley et al., (2018), Dorothy Orem’s Nursing System theory, Self-Care, and Self-Care Deficit theory are interrelated and like vast networks with connected parts (Utley et al., 2018). Dorothy Orem’s Self-Care Deficit Theory states that an individual’s inability to care for oneself is the reason why they would need help from others (Yip & Yuk 2021).  For example, in its application to practice- if a diabetic patient is unable to check his blood sugar level and administer his metformin or insulin without needing the assistance of others. Then we say that this individual has a self-care deficit then he may have medical diabetic complications related to self-care deficit.   This framework is related to my research topic because, applying Orem’s self-care deficit approach, the APN will be able to assess this self-care deficit in this patient and prescribe actions and behaviors to prevent diabetic complications in this patient. The APN prescribes that the patient will need assistance such as home health services to help the patient comply with his diabetic management (Yip & Yuk, 2021). All these self-care behaviors are essential to improving the health outcomes of the diabetic patient. By this, we can say that the Orem-Self Care deficit has been effectively applied to practice because the APN was able to identify the cause of the problem and prescribe interventions to maintain safety and improve the patient’s health outcomes.