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Comfort a concept analysis
Kolcabas ”comfort theory” (Wilson & Kolcaba, 2004)
Kolcabas ”comfort theory” (Wilson & Kolcaba, 2004)
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Analysis: Comfort Theory
This paper presents an analysis of Kolcaba’s middle range nursing theory, comfort theory, using the method delineated by Meleis (2012). The nature of comfort theory and its conformity to established standards are examined with regard to the following categories: the theorist, paradigmatic origins, and internal dimensions. This paper includes elements of a previous critique of the comfort theory, conducted as part of the knowledge and theory development in nursing course at Georgia Baptist College of Nursing of Mercer University. Other theories which could be utilized in conjunction with the comfort theory for this author’s topic of interest for future research are also briefly discussed.
The Theorist Katherine Kolcaba, the creator of comfort theory described herself as “a quite ordinary person” (Kolcaba, 2003, p. 47). Kolcaba’s accomplishments belie her modesty. Kolcaba is an associate professor (emeritus) at the University of Akron and an adjunct faculty member at
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Kolcaba published her seminal work, Comfort Theory and Practice: A Vision for Holistic Health Care and Research in 2003. Despite this impressive resume’ Kolcaba’s writing reflects her approachable and practical voice. Kolcaba (2003) believed consumers of theory must be able to understand and use the theory. As a result, her writing appealed to colleagues, helping them develop greater insights. Terminology specific to the theory was well described with minimal or uncomplicated definitions. Kolcaba provided clear, engaging examples of comfort theory in practice. The comfort theory website is extremely user-friendly and helpful for students. Kolcaba posts her e-mail address and personally responds to questions. Her website also contains a frequently asked questions
These assumptions are testable and useful. As a middle range theory, comfort theory has a limited number of propositions which reflect generalizations beyond specific clinical case studies. However, there are conflicting numbers of propositions in various texts. Kolcaba (2003) reported six propositions, McEwen and Willis (2014) reported eight propositions, and Smith and Parker (2015) divided the concepts into three major parts. The various numbers of propositions reflect variation in parsimonious expression of content rather than conflicting content as the major themes expressed remain consistent. The propositions listed on Kolcaba’s Comfort Line website are discussed in this paper as this author assumed Kolcaba’s website contained the most accurate and current information. Kolcaba (2010a) listed five propositions for comfort theory: Nurses identify the patient’s comfort needs unmet by existing support systems; nurses design interventions to address those needs; the intervening variables are taken into account to design the interventions and reasonable, mutually agreed upon outcomes; if enhanced comfort is achieved, patients are strengthened to engage in health seeking behaviors (HSBs) or a peaceful
...ease: developing conscious body management in a shrinking life-world. The Journal of Advanced Nursing (JAN) 64 (6) p 605-614.
In 2005 Fawcett stated “the metaparadigm of professional nursing incorporates four concepts: human beings, environment, health, and nursing” (as sited in Kearney, 2012, p. 4). This paper discusses my philosophy of nursing by stating my own personal definitions, values, and assumptions regarding each of the above mentioned concepts. My paper concludes with an exemplar from my own nursing practice and how I integrated my nursing philosophy into that particular clinical situation.
Sieloff, C. L., & Raph, S. W. (2011). Nursing theory and management. Journal of Nursing Management, 19(8), 979-980. doi:10.1111/j.1365-2834.2011.01334.x
When someone hears holistic nursing their mind may immediately jump to a form of hippie nursing with little to none scientific background or accuracy in the quality of care. This belief however is extremely inaccurate as to what holistic nursing really is. Holistic care can be defined as to when the nurse honors the patient’s wishes and takes into consideration the social, physical, emotional, and spiritual aspects of the patient’s life (American Holistic Nurses Association, n.d.). Holistic nursing is growing in popularity amongst patients because of its open communication between nurse and patient, its unique approach to health and healing, as well as the comprehensive care it can provide.
McEwen, M., & Wills, E. M. (2011). Theoretical basis for nursing (3rd ed.). Philadelphia, PA: Wolters Kluwer Health Lippincott Williams & Wilkins.
McIntyre, M. & McDonald, C. (2014). Nursing Philosophies, Theories, Concepts, Frameworks, and Models. In Koizer, B., Erb, G., Breman, A., Snyder, S., Buck, M., Yiu, L., & Stamler, L. (Eds.), Fundamentals of Canadian nursing (3rd ed.). (pp.59-74). Toronto, Canada: Pearson.
Smith, M.J., Liehr, P.R., (2008) Middle Range Theory for Nursing. Second Edition. Springer Publishing Company LLC. New York, NY 10036
Middle range theories are made up of models and propositions that can be measured empirically. Nonetheless, in terms of scope, middle-range nursing theories are narrower than grand nursing theories and present an effectual link connecting grand nursing theories and nursing practice. Nursing models are based on a number of things with the first one being needs. Such models aim at assisting individuals to accomplish their physical along with mental needs. Nonetheless, these models have one shortcoming in the sense that they predominantly rely on the medical model of health and at the same time places the patient in an explicitly reliant position. Another type of middle range deals with the relationships and interactions nurses form with patients.
The roots of comfort can be discovered back to the work of Nightingale who described comfort as a primary outcome for nursing (Kolcaba, 2015). Kolcaba spent many years executing research to create the Theory of Comfort which was developed from other nursing theories. Many nursing theories examine comfort. Watson’s Theory of Caring uses comfort to adjust the internal and external environments of a patient (Watson & Nelson, 2012). Roy’s Theory of Adaptation focus on the nurse heling patients by providing comfort for adaptation (Saleem Punjani, 2013). The overall goal is to provide comfort to the patient and their family.
aspects include social isolation and unstable living arrangement. Sociocultural characteristics are defined by isolation form her friends and support network and differing views of the medication regime from her mother. For the purposes of the comfort theory we will focus on nursing interventions to address all four areas that effect comfort.
Robinson, S. B., Weitzel, T., & Henderson, L. (2005, November/December 2005). The Sh-h-h-h Project. Holistic Nursing Practice, 19(6), 263-266.
McEwen, M., & Wills, E. (2011). Theoretical Basis for Nursing (3 ed.). Philadelphia, PA: Lippincott, Williams & Wilkins.
... middle of paper ... ... Fawcett, J. & Fawcett, J. (2000). The 'Secondary' of the 'Second Analysis and evaluation of contemporary nursing knowledge: Nursing models and theories.
Because these theory are known to have direct linkages to research and practice Most of these theory are developed from research, observation and experiences I do believe that Most nurses will agree with me if I say that the evidence based practice is a main engine for health well-being .Middle range theory signifies a growth of knowledge development in Nursing. Middle range theories offer valuable organizing frameworks for phenomena being researched by interdisciplinary terms. These theories are useful to nurses and persons from other discipline in framing phenomena of shared concern. (Archive, 2015).Middle-range theories are useful in addressing the problems of nursing, especially among vulnerable populations. Although middle-range theories address specific phenomena within nursing practice, the theories are broad enough to be applied to a variety of patient populations, and across many practice settings (Mareno, 2015). The language of middle –range theories is that used in nursing practice to deal with patient care phenomena such as pain ,unpleasant symptoms, empathy, uncertainty, comfort, change, lifestyle health promotion, relationships ,and deliberative planning for