Contributor – Marie Hastings-Tolsma, PhD, CNM, FACNM
I was lucky enough to know Dr. Martha Rogers during doctoral studies at New York University. She was one of a kind and she made me rethink everything I had held sacrosanct in nursing. As I listened to her view of the world, I had to rethink my research. I would meet with Martha and she would usually tell me that my proposed research was not consistent with her model. It was frustrating but she turned my world upside down! It forced a 180o turn… along with mentorship from Dr. John Phillips. Talk about a change in thinking!!
The Theory of Diversity of Human Field Pattern was born as I struggled with feedback from Drs. Rogers and Phillips. I was not the sharpest tool in the box – but I was committed to figuring out how diversity of human field pattern unfolded. It has been a work in progress and a painful but exciting journey. I should also say that I have had a checkered history in use of my Rogers’ derived theory and scale. While these works have been used by colleagues and students – providing valuable data regarding utility, the extent of use has been limited. There are several reasons for limited use – a conversation for another day. I should note that for several years I worked to secure funding for work focused through a Rogerian lens….with little success. So, I put development of the theory on the back burner.
Over time, I have come to appreciate that practice void of disciplinary theory is near useless – it is just interesting facts/knowledge. Non-disciplinary approaches fail to use a coherent framing, are without disciplinary anchors, lack depth, and present evaluation difficulties. Use of work based on non-disciplinary theory generally fails to respect established nursing domains. As a nurse-midwife, I have come to appreciate what atheoretical practice looks like. I now see how practice based on theories from other disciplines – while interesting, does not contribute to improved practice or knowledge development in nursing/midwifery. Finally, I now realize that use of nursing theory has to be couched in a more palatable way for those both inside and outside of nursing. The challenge is ours.
I have come to re-examine my research questions from the perspective of nursing theory. It has provided insight and awareness of personal responsibility for development of theory-based nursing/midwifery knowledge. My current work focuses on the onset of human labor at term and the prevention of birth too early or too late. Work examines labor in relation to the microbiome and proteome/metabolome of reproductive tissue. We are also looking at racial/ethnic differences, as well as differences where common supplements are recommended by providers during pregnancy (e.g. Rubus idaeus). Use of the Diversity of Human Field Pattern Scale in our research will provide valuable data as we work to interpret results within a Rogerian lens.
Maternal-infant researchers, and those interested in chatting about use of the theory with other populations, are welcome to contact me. I’d love to share lessons learned and dialogue about use of the DHFP theory.
About Marie Hastings-Tolsma
Marie Hastings-Tolsma, PhD, CNM, FACNM is a Professor and nurse-midwifery scientist at Baylor University Louise Herrington School of Nursing (Dallas TX) where she conducts research, teaches in the graduate program. and provides full-scope midwifery care at Holy Family BIrth Services (Weslaco TX). A U.S. Fulbright Faculty Scholar, Dr. Hastings-Tolsma spent 2012-13 in South Africa, teaching and conducting research with colleagues at the University of Johannesburg where she continues collaboration and was a Visiting Professor from 2013-2025. She developed the Theory of Human Field Diversity based on Rogers’ SUHBs – part of her work included development and testing of the Diversity of Human Field Pattern Scale. She is currently examining manifestations of the individual’s experience of change as part of elective induction of human labor, as well as manifestations during parturition where novel interactions are used (eg, Rubus idaeus) and the resulting microbiome and metabolome fingerprint. Dr Hastings-Tolsma has published widely on theory-based interventions and maternal-infant health.