Cognitive learning theorists believe that learning is an internal process in which information is integrated into one’s cognitive structure. Learning occurs through internal processing of information. One example of how cognitive learning is used within healthcare settings includes nurses and doctors learning how to take the patients’ blood pressure, this is a complex task when you first try to learn it. The nurse or doctor must learn how to physically manipulate the blood pressure manometer, learn how to hear blood pressure sounds, and understand the meaning of the sounds. Each of these tasks can be practiced as a separate activity, then combined to be able to complete the task altogether. In the last phase of learning, the automatic phase, tit would suggest that the nurse or doctor gains increasing confidence and competence in performing the task, and is able to do it, without the need of any aid or assistance from somebody else. Another example of cognitive perspective that is used in healthcare practice can include supporting individuals that have learning difficulties. On a day to day basis, individuals with learning difficulties can find menial tasks extremely difficult and bewildering, because of this they are likely to get very frustrated. The cognitive perspective can help people with these learning difficulties and aid them to help make sense of these tasks by identifying the indifferent, irrational thoughts and helping guide the individuals to change their way of thinking. This will help both their behaviour, but also their self-esteem.
Humanist learning theorists view learning as a function of the whole person and believe that learning cannot take place unless both the cognitive and affective domains are involved. The individual’s capacity for self-determination is an important part of the humanist theory. For example, humanist theory is used to help post myocardial infarction patients regain a sense of personal control over their health care management. It helps patients recover from their treatment and be able to help patients and other people, having empathy is crucial for this. This requires healthcare professionals to be able to listen to what the other person has to say, respect them regardless of how they feel or think and really try to gain an understanding of the emotions that they may be feeling. An example of this can include when a healthcare professional is trying to communicate with a patient that suffers from extreme anorexia. The patients belief is that the smallest of foods will make them obese and unpleasant to look at. As much as our professional minds know this statement is untrue we have to put aside our thoughts and try “putting ourselves in their shoes” only then will you be able to fully empathise with the patient and try to help them.
The social learning theory suggests that people learn new behaviors through observation of factors in their environment, by taking note of other’s behavior and the consequence of that behavior. Observing a desired result makes the learner more likely to adopt a behavior to seek that result. Whether used singly or in combination, with other theories the learning theory has much to offer the practice of health care. Increasingly, health professionals must demonstrate that they regularly employ sound methods and a clear rationale in their education efforts, patient and client interactions, staff management and training, and continuing education and health promotion programs (Ferguson & Day, 2005). Given the current structure of health care in the United States, nurses, in particular, are often responsible for designing and implementing plans and procedures for improving health education and encouraging wellness.
The biological perspective aids our understanding in the health & social care setting. In health care, medical professionals are often required to do different and unsociable working hours. This constant change in sleeping pattern can cause our bodies to become confused and not be able to adapt to one time frame for us to allow our bodies to rest. The unpleasant physical effects of being extremely tired after a shift of over-night work and wanting to sleep as soon as you got home is soon replaced by your body not being able to sleep as soon as you get home. This is called the disruption to circadian rhythms. The biological perspective helps healthcare professionals understand the effects of the different shift patterns can have on their bodies such as the drowsy-sleep effects of melatonin which is released as soon as it starts to become dark outside around eight and ten pm each night where our body begins to send out a message that it is time to go to sleep. Nurses who work overnight shifts have to fight this urge to be sleepy on their shift, where the body is telling them to go to sleep, and they have to attempt to go to sleep when they get home in the early hours of the morning and your body is telling you to start waking up and energizing for the day ahead.
The psychodynamic perspective says that behavior is driven by unconscious forces in which we have little control over. These subconscious forces can be presented through slips of the tongue or in dreams and represent the unconscious truth. In a healthcare setting, these subconscious forces are studied to determine a diagnosis or disorder. The use of the psychodynamic theory can be helpful in many healthcare related situations where the patient is unable to tell the doctor directly what it is they are experiencing in terms of symptoms, psychodynamic would allow doctors and other healthcare professionals to see into the inner mind to attempt to diagnose the patient and see if the problem is more memory/mental related as opposed to a physical wound which could be easily diagnosed.
by
ravkhosa (student)
