Interrelations between Florence Nightingale’s environmentalist theory and the ecosystem theory

Siqueira, Hedi Crecencia Heckler de; Flores, Rosiele Gomes; Erdmann, Alacoque Lorenzini; Dutra, Gelson Garcia; Bick, Miguel Armando; Piexak, Diéssica Roggia

doi:10.1590/2177-9465-ean-2023-0084en

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REFLECTION • Esc. Anna. Nery 27 • 2023 • https://doi.org/10.1590/2177-9465-ean-2023-0084en copy

Interrelations between Florence Nightingale’s environmentalist theory and the ecosystem theory

Authorship SCIMAGO INSTITUTIONS RANKINGS

Abstract

Objective

To reflect on the interrelations between Florence Nightingale's Environmentalist Theory and the Ecosystem Theory and their influences on the reparative process of diseases and on the health/disease/care of human beings.

Method

A theoretical-philosophical reflection on the interrelations between Florence Nightingale's Environmentalist Theory and the Ecosystem Theory, based on authors who discuss this topic.

Results

Both theories are similar in relation to the search for self-knowledge, self-organization/autopoiesis and the way to visualize the components of reality in human life and its interactions with the environment. Both involve the totality of the environment's biotic and abiotic organisms, and consider that they interrelate, influence, cooperate and interfere in human life.

Conclusion and implications for the practice

The interrelations between both theories make it possible to construct, in a holistic way, new knowledge about human beings' thinking, seeing, feeling and acting in the universe and of Nursing care, thus apprehending the totality of the needs, and the integration and dynamic balance of being and living healthy.

Keywords:
Ecosystem; Environment; Health; Nursing; Nursing Theory

Environmentalist Theory	Ecosystem Theory
Environment as nature.	Ecosystem considered as Space/context/environment = Nature as an integrated whole.
Environment made up of interrelated biotic and abiotic elements, which influence the patient's health.	Space/Context/Environment made up of interrelated and interdependent biotic and abiotic elements that influence each other.
Environment as the main environment that interferes with the reparative healing process of the sick.	The environment/ecosystem influences human beings' health/disease/care process, sustainability and well-being.
Human beings as integral to nature.	Human beings are nature, that is, they are an integral element of nature/environment.
Human beings have different aspects and multiple needs.	Ecosystemically, human beings are considered multidimensional, consisting of the following dimensions: physical/biological, social, psychological and spiritual, interrelated with the environment as a totality/unit.
Nursing should have critical and comprehensive thinking. It must also consider the patient's subjective aspects – based on intuition and creativity.	In the care process, all specificities in relation to instabilities and disturbances specific to the space/context/environment should be considered, as they all influence human beings' health and well-being.
A pioneer/forerunner in the Nursing practice, it influenced several areas beyond Nursing, such as Statistics, Mathematics, Health Administration, Health Management, Public Health, Physiotherapy and Spirituality, among others.	Pioneer as an emerging theory to meet advances in knowledge, whose needs were no longer met by the paradigm of Cartesian thinking, influencing several areas, such as Health and Psychology, among others.
It perceives Health as influenced by multiple environmental factors.	Health is the incessant search for the balance of human needs, anchored in the set of relationships and interrelationships of the elements that make up the environment.
The reparative care process to cure diseases should balance the natural process of nature.	The health/disease/care process should energize users with knowledge and care for their co-participation in maintenance, sustainability of balance and healthy well-being.
Self-knowledge: It encouraged patients to participate in the reparative care process to cure diseases, in search of health recovery, organization and self-control.	It encourages empowering human beings to participate in adaptations and adjustments to constant instability, disturbances and uncertainties in the environment, in search of sustainability and reorganization of balance, that is, health.
Participation in patient healing: Florence explained, described and highlighted the basic principles that influence human beings' healthy life, considering them capable of suppressing, preventing and contributing to the reparative care process to cure diseases.	Each human being is an autopoietic system, that is, with the capacity to produce itself through the energy resulting from the interactions of the elements that constitute it and can make adaptations, adjustments; reorganize, create new knowledge and original ways of living. The unleashing of energies can be stimulated by caring for human beings.

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[1] Corresponding author: Rosiele Gomes Flores. E-mail: rosielegf@yahoo.com.br