Goal:
Analyze and evaluate a middle range theory. You will select a middle range theory and identify application of nursing theories into clinical practice.
Content Requirements:
- Components of the theory
- Discuss the major concepts of the theory
- Philosophical basis or worldview change, advancing health
- Structural aspects of the theory
- Discuss the framework of the theory.
- Identify an area of your practice where this theory could be applicable
- What question does the theory help to answer?
- Describe the area of interest in relationship to the theory/theoretical model.
- Is it appropriate for the practice setting and is it applicable?
- Discuss the strength and weakness of the theory. If there is weakness, discuss what makes it difficult to be used in practice.
- Use of theory in clinical practice.
- Performing a literature review is essential to completing this section. If there is no literature available about the application of this theory in practice, address reason(s) why based on your findings.
- Evaluation of theory
- Is this theory used to understand and apply into practice?
- What difficulties did you encounter or would anticipate encountering in using this theory?
- What would make this theory more usable or applicable to practice?
Submission Instructions:
- The assignment is to be clear and concise and students will lose points for improper grammar, punctuation and misspelling.
- The assignment should be formatted per current APA and references should be current (published within last five years) scholarly journal articles or primary legal sources (statutes, court opinions.)
- The assignment is to be 3 – 5 pages in length, excluding the title, abstract and references page.
- Incorporate a minimum of 3 current (published within last five years) scholarly journal articles or primary legal sources (statutes, court opinions) within your work. Journal articles and books should be referenced according to current APA style.
Analysis and Evaluation of a Middle Range Theory: Kolcaba’s Theory of Comfort
Components of the Theory
Major Concepts Kolcaba’s Theory of Comfort is centered on the major concepts of relief, ease, and transcendence, which together constitute the holistic experience of comfort. Relief refers to the alleviation of specific discomforts, ease relates to a state of contentment, and transcendence describes the ability to rise above difficulties.
Philosophical Basis or Worldview Change Kolcaba’s theory is grounded in a humanistic and holistic approach to care, emphasizing the importance of addressing patients’ physical, psychospiritual, environmental, and sociocultural needs. The theory advances health by promoting comprehensive well-being and quality of life, rather than merely treating symptoms.
Structural Aspects of the Theory
Framework of the Theory The theory is structured around three forms of comfort: relief, ease, and transcendence, which are achieved through comforting interventions. These interventions are aimed at meeting the holistic needs of patients and are influenced by contextual variables such as institutional policies and patient demographics.
Application in Clinical Practice
Area of Practice Kolcaba’s Theory of Comfort can be applied in palliative care settings, where the primary focus is on providing relief from pain and other distressing symptoms, enhancing ease by creating a peaceful environment, and helping patients achieve a sense of transcendence despite their illness.
Questions Answered by the Theory The theory helps answer questions related to how nurses can comprehensively address patient comfort, considering all aspects of the patient’s experience.
Relationship to Area of Interest In palliative care, the theory aligns well with the goal of improving patients’ overall comfort and quality of life, making it highly appropriate and applicable for this practice setting.
Strengths and Weaknesses of the Theory Strengths:
- Holistic approach: Addresses physical, psychospiritual, environmental, and sociocultural needs.
- Patient-centered: Focuses on individualized care plans. Weaknesses:
- Subjectivity: Comfort is a subjective experience, which can make it difficult to measure and standardize interventions.
Use of Theory in Clinical Practice A literature review reveals that Kolcaba’s Theory of Comfort is widely used in various clinical settings, particularly in palliative and geriatric care. Studies have shown its effectiveness in improving patient satisfaction and outcomes.
Evaluation of the Theory
Understanding and Application in Practice The theory is well-regarded for its practical application in nursing. It offers a clear framework for developing and implementing interventions aimed at improving patient comfort.
Anticipated Difficulties One difficulty in using this theory is the subjective nature of comfort, which can vary greatly between patients and can be challenging to quantify and document in a clinical setting.
Improving Usability in Practice To make the theory more usable, standardized assessment tools and protocols for measuring comfort levels could be developed. Additionally, training programs for nurses on how to implement the theory effectively in various clinical settings would enhance its application.
Conclusion
Kolcaba’s Theory of Comfort provides a comprehensive framework for enhancing patient well-being through holistic and individualized care. While there are challenges in its subjective nature, its strengths in addressing a broad range of patient needs make it a valuable tool in nursing practice, particularly in palliative care. Continued research and development of standardized assessment tools will further improve its applicability and effectiveness in clinical settings.
References
- Kolcaba, K. (2018). Comfort Theory and Practice: A Vision for Holistic Health Care and Research. Springer Publishing Company.
- Coelho, A., Parola, V., Escobar-Bravo, M., & Apóstolo, J. (2016). Comfort experiences in palliative care: A phenomenological study. BMC Palliative Care, 15(1), 1-9. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12904-016-0093-8
- Wilson, L., & Kolcaba, K. (2019). Practical application of comfort theory in patient care. Nursing Science Quarterly, 32(2), 138-144. https://doi.org/10.1177/0894318418824916