Center Framework

The Conceptual Model illustrates how injury mechanisms and related responses can influence altered health conditions, interventions, responses and outcomes. Altered Health Conditions refer to diseases, injuries or life circumstances that have long-term and potentially detrimental effects on individuals. These altered health conditions lead to Responses, defined as biological, psychological, sociological and cultural consequences of the condition. Responses lead to Outcomes defined as the ultimate consequence (positive or negative) or result of altered health conditions. Response Modification is defined as factors that influence or change responses to altered health conditions, such as genetics, age or developmental stage. Interventions are strategies used by nurses and other health care professionals to minimize injury and/or positively alter the responses and/or outcomes of chronic conditions. Finally, Outcomes are the ultimate consequence or result of altered health conditions. Knowledge of injury mechanisms and related responses informs the theoretical underpinnings about altered health conditions; and is important to understanding biological and/or behavioral responses to altered health conditions as well as outcomes. Knowledge of injury mechanisms and related responses to injury can assist in the development of interventions designed to optimize responses and outcomes from chronic conditions.