Revisiting Gordon's functional health patterns: A critical reappraisal for contemporary nursing practice

Abstract

The nursing process provides a structured framework for the delivery of holistic, person-centered care, yet increasing healthcare complexity challenges its implementation in practice. This discussion paper examines the relevance of Marjory Gordon's functional health patterns (FHP) as a guiding framework for contemporary nursing practice. FHP supports systematic assessment by integrating the biological, psychological, social, cultural, and spiritual dimensions of health. However, contemporary healthcare demands require a critical reinterpretation of the framework. This paper argues that the contemporary value of FHP extends beyond assessment. Rather, FHP may be reconceptualized as a dynamic conceptual resource that helps nurses operationalize holistic care, strengthen clinical reasoning, support nursing diagnoses, and individualize care planning.