Grayce M. Sills

The future in the past: Hildegard Peplau and interpersonal relations in nursing

Researchers, educators and clinicians have long recognized the profound influence of the mid-twentieth century focus on interpersonal relations and relationships on nursing. Today, in nursing, as well as in medicine and other social sciences, neuroanatomy, neurobiology and neurophysiology have replaced interpersonal dynamics as keys to understanding human behavior. Yet concerns are being raised that the teaching, research and practice of the critical importance of healing relationships have been overridden by a biological focus on the experiences of health and illness. As a way to move forward, we return to Hildegard Peplaus seminal ideas about the transformative power of relationships in nursing. We propose that Peplaus formulations and, in particular, her seminal Interpersonal Relations in Nursing can provide direction. We do not propose that her formulations or her book be simply transposed from the 1950s to todays classroom and clinic. But we do believe that her ideas and writings are dynamic documents containing concepts and derived operations that can be brought to life in clinical practice. Finally, we explore Peplaus transformative idea that nursing is, at its core, an interpersonal process both to acknowledge an idea that has shaped our past and can guide us into our future.

Peplau's Theory in Practice:

* Syracuse University. Syracuse, NY. t The Ohio State University, Columbus. OH. Beginning with the publication of Interpersonal Relations in Nursing ( 1952), Peplau espoused the philosophy that effectiveness in interpersonal relationships was a legitimate concern in professional nursing practice. Consideration of the process occurring between patient and nurse shifted the view of patientas-object whom the nurse &dquo;did things to or for&dquo; to one where the skill and maturity of the

Research in the field of psychiatric nursing: 1952-1977.

This review and assessment of research in the area of psychiatric nursing discusses guiding assumptions which have provided the underpinnings for research in the field, a chronological view of the research with comments on the methods of the times, and a discussion of trends and future directions.

A Two-Stage Process For Surveying Community Needs

AbstractSocial service agencies are experiencing growing pressure to collect data about the communities they serve. Partly as a result of planning requirements set by governmental funding agents, organizations must justify the type of programs they offer and show how these services meet the actual needs of their clients. One useful way to determine community needs is through a household survey of randomly selected area residents. This paper presents the process for conducting a two-stage interview designed to uncover the wide range of problems currently facing people and then to determine the prevalence and severity of these problems within the service area. This procedure works to reduce much of the bias inherent in questionnaire writing and should provide investigators with a more realistic picture of community needs.

The Ins and Outs of Psychiatric-Mental Health Nursing and the American Nurses Association

Abstract A brief history of some of the work of psychiatric nurses within the American Nurses Association is presented in this article. Additionally, the authors identify the several efforts toward professionalization of the occupation of nursing that were made during the past half century. These efforts also spurred other clinical units within the American Nurses Association toward similar productivity. The development of the American Psychiatric Nurses Association as well as the subspecialty organizations is outlined.

Peplau and Professionalism: The Emergence of the Paradigm of Professionalization:

We asked Dr Grayce Sills, a long-time collegue and friend of Dr Hildegard Peplau, to write a historical paper to assist in understanding the contributions of Dr Peplau to the professionalization of nursing. This historical reflection reveals insights into Dr Hildegard Peplau as a person, her leadership and her scholarly abilities. Dr Peplaus theorizing is largely inductive and based on keen observations of her clinical work and her environment. This insight into her inductive curiosity is further revealed in the papers that follow.

Web of Change

Abstract “We all live on the great, dynamic web of change. It links us to one another and, in some ways, to everything in the past. And in the way that each of us influences the course of events, it also links us to the future we are all busy making, every second. No matter how remote all these links may seem, over space and time, they are real. No person acts without causing change on the web. Each one of us has an effect, somewhere, some when. Everybody contributes to the process. In some way, anything we do makes history, because we are history. The web is the expression of our existence, and of all those who went before us, and all who will come after us”

University Extension in Urban Neighborhoods: A New Approach.

This paper describes the conceptualization and development of a pilot urban extension program designed to enhance community self-help efforts while, at the same time, involving the university in ways consistent with its educational, research, and service functions. Programs such as the present one seem essential if universities are to contribute the knowledge and skills required by the community to cope with the accelerating changes in physical, social, and economic conditions.

The New Freedom Commission on Mental Health: A Perspective from the Chair of the Commission

In April 2002 President Bush signed an executive order creating the President’s New Freedom Commission on Mental Health. Dr. Michael F. Hogan, Director of the Department of Mental Health for the State of Ohio, was appointed chairman of the commission. Dr. Hogan’s background is in education, special education, and mental health. He is a valued colleague, a friend to nurses, and a strong advocate for excellence in the care and treatment of persons with mental illness. The work of the Commission was to be done in 1 year. The final report was issued in July of 2003. I strongly urge our readers to obtain a copy of the full report. There are six major recommendations, and each is presented in some detail and usually with an illustration of a best practice or project that shows what it is possible to do within the extant system of care. The report can be obtained electronically through www.mentalhealthcommission.gov or www.mentalhealth.samhsa.gov. For a free print copy of the report, call the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) National Mental Health Information Center at 800-662-4357 or 800-228-0427 (TTD). I am appreciative of the time Dr. Hogan gave for this interview. I think you will find it of interest.