Critical Analysis Of Sister Callista Roy's Adaptation Model

During the 1970s, Sister Callista Roy was a young graduate student in the midst of developing a new theoretical framework for nursing practice. Her experiences and studies led her to form the Roy Adaptation Model (RAM). Roy’s model identifies people as adaptive systems in a holistic manner. The essential elements of her model include adaptation, the person, the environment, health, and the goal of nursing (Roy, 2009). Modes of adaptation are further broken down into physiological and psychological needs. Roy continues to publish works detailing modern applications of her model for nursing practice and education. This essay will offer insight on Callista Roy as a theorist and on the RAM.

Sister Callista Roy received her Bachelor of Arts degree

Shifts in theory and focus related to patient care were dynamically changing. Theorists worked to define nursing in a distinct manner that separated the medical and nursing frameworks. This period presented new ideas, “this shift offered the potential to move nursing from a context-dependent reactive position to a context-interactive proactive stance” (Chinn & Kramer, 2011, p. 44-45). Roy’s Adaptation Model indicates that “nurses direct care at helping the client adapt” (Potter & Perry, 2009, p. 50). Furthermore, the nurse must interact with each patient to evaluate the patient’s own feelings regarding their current health status, environment, and goals in order to anticipate what interventions may be required to encourage adaptation.

Callista Roy has worked for over three decades to further detail her model. Through the years, modifications improved upon the initial model. Earlier versions of the RAM include three “…essential elements: the person, the goal, and nursing intervention” (Roy & Roberts, 1981, p. 42). However, a more recent publishing includes five concepts when defining the model: adaptation, the person, the environment, health, and goal of nursing (Roy, 2009). She also defines four adaptive modes that describe how a person reacts to stimulation from the environment (Roy,