Agnostic qualities in Hodges' model

In the previous post I highlighted "Holistic approaches to learning are agnostic as to method." 

I added that there would be more to follow as Hodges' model can be viewed as agnostic on several levels. The following is taken from a paper on Hodges' model and its application in forensic nursing:

Hodges’ model claims to be person-centred and situated (Jones, 2008). What exactly does this mean for forensic nursing? The utility of Hodges’ model lies in it being agnostic. By ‘agnostic’ this means that the model is not dependent upon, dedicated to, sanctioned by, or owned by any particular discipline (even nursing). It was not designed with a particular media, clinical setting, situation or organization in mind. It is true, however, that the model was formulated within academia and health and social care, being taught and applied by community mental health nurses, learning disability and health visiting students. Apart from the history and universality of the model’s cruciform structure and its inherent 2 x 2 matrix form [often referred to as a Johari window (Luft and Ingham, 1955)], the model is also culturally neutral. This is an essential requirement to reflect and enact nursing values and codes of conduct (Nursing and Midwifery Council, 2008).

Doyle, M., Jones, P. (2013). Hodges’ Health Career Model and its role and potential application in forensic mental health nursing. Journal of Psychiatric and Mental Health Nursing. 20, 7, 631-640.
http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/j.1365-2850.2012.01961.x/abstract

Book: Teaching Crowds - Learning and Social Media

This book is available as an open access pdf. Here is an extract from chapter 2 on Social Learning Theories.

Holistic approaches to learning are agnostic as to method. Drawing from connectivist and older models, they valorize diversity and the socially distributed cognition afforded by the read-write Web and other publishing models, accepting that every learning experience is unique, and every learner’s needs are different. Connectivist approaches, for all their extensive reliance on networks of people engaging socially, are at heart focused on the individual—specifically, the individual’s learning. Holistic models embrace the fact that it is sometimes more important that a group learns, rather than an individual, especially in collectivist cultures (Potgieter et al., 2006). Holistic models recognize that, sometimes, guidance is what is most needed, that people can learn without direct engagement with others and, even that transmittive instructionist models of teaching have a place. p.61.

In the next post I will explain the emphasis placed in the quote.


Jon Dron and Terry Anderson (2014) Teaching Crowds: Learning and Social Media, AU Press.

My source:
ITFORUM mailing list 
http://listserv.lt.unt.edu/mailman/listinfo/

A techno-spiritual world with agnostic needs

Whatever our own personal beliefs
we live in spiritual times.

Agnosticism
is a frequent and ongoing subject of debate in
the philosophy of religion, science and ideas.

It also features - duly tempered for purpose -
in other fields notably technology.

In the early days of IT and ICT those buying information systems grew tired and wary of being locked-in to particular platforms, with consequent dependency upon vendors. This also put the technology to the fore, with the risk of relegating business requirements to 'out of hours'. While many business relationships did undoubtedly prosper, the market soon recognized the need for standards and the need for technology to be agnostic, increasing freedom and choice in the marketplace.

Among the retinue of central tenets in medicine, health, social care and nursing is the need for unconditional positive regard and a non-judgemental approach. So caring is most definitely not without beliefs and values. In the same way that vendors to companies and academia want to be free and determine their requirements around their business and needs, so too there is a perceived need for the health care 'industry' to be agnostic. Re-framing a bullet list in a 'lost' post elsewhere: ''Increase knowledge innovation and manage technology change' agnostic in a health context becomes:

1. As per the need for evidence-based x, y, z... fully research your status, direction and tools not only before you adopt them, but also while you’re using them*;
2. Don’t get emotionally attached to a particular assessment, planning, intervention (therapy) or evaluation toolset;
3. Continuously research (horizon scan* - look over the fence) at other research possibilities and alternatives;
4. And as Lucas McDonnell make clear: Don’t build yourself into a corner*.

*Of course, that last point is hypercritical - since there are at least four corners!

This is where Hodges' model comes into play, (not quite with underpants on the outside, but certainly with utility belt firmly in-situ).

Hodges' model - as a model to support and integrate care - is agnostic in the following ways:

DISCIPLINE: unless its origins prejudices its case, Hodges' model can be applied by any and all disciplines. This is crucial in times when multidisciplinary and even transdisciplinary team work is needed.
THERAPEUTICS: whether physical, social or biopsychosocial - Hodges' model is agnostic regards particular therapy interventions. It is not married to gene therapy, cognitive therapy, primary nursing, family therapy, gestalt therapy.
PHILOSOPHY: 'care- nursing- ward- philosophy' is probably a much misused term, but once again Hodges model is philosophically neutral - unless it is deemed that its generality - pantological aspirations - is itself a philosophical stance?
SUBJECT: in being person-centered the model is agnostic in respect of the individual using the model or who happens to be the focus of the model. This is quite critical at present with the engagement of patients in education, self-care and individual budgets in cases of long-term medical conditions.
AUTHORITY: Although disciplines with their professional legacies and politics can and do (justifiably) lay claim to authority and legitimacy Hodges' model can negotiate this divide.
SOCIO-TECHNICAL: this form of agnosticism for Hodges' model is not given the credence it should be afforded. Being context sensitive and situated the model can perform a definitional volte face appealing to a socially or technically oriented user-base, or both.
CULTURAL: Finally, it is essential that our tools are not 'tainted' from the perspective of a particular community or ethnic group. Apart from the structure of the model with its historical (mythic) iconographic associations, the model is open and not directly allied to any specific ethnic group, set of cultural or religious beliefs. Ideologically AND practically then the model provides a neutral ground upon which values and beliefs can be shared.

Additional links:

Becoming a Technology Agnostic, by davidleeking (My primary source through twitter)

Technology-agnostic approach to Service Oriented Architecture: back to the essence of SOA?