Nursing Middle Range Theory

Middle Range Theory Critique

Nurses are trained to work in a systematic environment to provide all levels of care to patients on a daily basis. Incorporating theories that have been established by others through trial and error help nurses navigate the system to fit the care they deliver. One of the systematic approaches used today is the Synergy Model. The synergy model is an assumption that if executed correctly will result in optimal patient outcomes.

The purpose of the Synergy model was to link clinical practice with patient outcomes ("American Association of Critical-Care Nurses," 2016). Patient characteristics and nurse competencies are joined resulting in optimal patient outcomes ("American Association of Critical-Care Nurses," 2016).

Middle range theory helps describe, explain, predict, and test methods (McEwen & Wills, 2014, p. 215). Middle range theories help guide nursing interventions (McEwen & Wills, 2014, p. 215). Middle range theories identify phenomena, explain why they occur, how they occur, and provide a structure for interpretation (McEwen & Wills, 2014, p. 215). Middle range theories are simple and straight forward (McEwen & Wills, 2014, p. 215). With middle range theories, there are a limited number of variables and the methods can be consolidated into more extensive range theories (McEwen & Wills, 2014, p. 215). Middle range theories focus on the patient and the most predicted outcomes likely from the patient, and they affect the nursing interventions utilized (McEwen & Wills, 2014, p. 215). There are several benefits of using a middle range theory which includes a low level of abstractions and the organization of the model. Due to the simplicity of middle range theories, they are more likely to be adopted to everyday practices (McEwen & Wills, 2014, p.

The study showed that applying the synergy model was effective in increasing patient satisfaction and the performance of nurses on cardiac intensive care units (Khalifehzadeh, Jahromi, & Yazdannik, 2012). Another qualitative study completed by Yellen and the conclusions from this study were improving patient satisfaction with their treatment, better pain reduction, and changing behaviors to contribute to improving patient’s quality of life (Khalifehzadeh et al., 2012).

The Synergy model has been used in many different settings. The design can help with staffing ratios, interdisciplinary planning, and nurse reporting (Kaplow & Reed, 2008). The design has also provided a framework for midlevel providers to help match the patients’ needs with the competencies of the nurses assisting in the patient 's care (Kaplow & Reed,