Nursing Process Based on the Betty Newman Model in Patients with Colorectal Cancer: a Case Study

Cancers are the second most common cause of death in the world after cardiovascular diseases. Properly using nursing models and theories, such as Neuman Systems Theory, is a significant step in enhancing standards and the quality of patient care. This study aimed to evaluate the implementation of the nursing process in a patient with colorectal cancer.

This study was conducted on a 53-year-old female patient with colorectal cancer in 2023 at the oncology department of Shahid Beheshti Hospital in Hamadan, based on Betty Neumans Systems Theory. During data collection through interviews with the patient and her companions, interactions among five variables of the patient (physiological, psychological, social, developmental, spiritual) were examined, and stressors and resources in the intrapersonal, interpersonal, and extrapersonal domains were identified. Nursing diagnoses were established based on Betty Neuman's theory and the perceived stress by the patient at three levels of prevention (primary to tertiary) through alignment with the classification of the North American Nursing Diagnosis Association (2022-2023), and then nursing interventions were classified and implemented at these three levels of prevention

The results obtained from the study of physiological, psychological, social, developmental, spiritual, and interpersonal variables, as well as external stress factors, identified 16 potential and actual nursing diagnoses related to the type of stressor. This included 9 physiological diagnoses, 5 psychological diagnoses, 2 cultural-social diagnoses, and 2 developmental nursing diagnoses. After identification, interventions related to each diagnosis were recognized and implemented.

Designing and implementing the nursing process based on the Betty Neuman nursing model in chronic patients, especially those with colorectal cancer, can lead to an improved understanding of care needs, appropriate nursing care that is efficient and evidence-based.