Question
Review one of the following studies. . Choose any ONE study and describe the theoretical framework that was used in the study.
Scholarly written, APA formatted, and referenced and double spaced paper. A minimum of 3 references are required. References need to be 5 to 7 years old.
Chinn, P. L. (1997). Why middle range theory? Advances in Nursing Science, 19 (3), viii.
Kolcaba, K. Y. (1994). A theory of holistic comfort for nursing. Journal of Advanced Nursing, 19, 1178-1184.
Kolcaba, K. (2001). Evolution of the middle range theory of comfort for outcomes research. Nursing Outlook, 49, 86-92. Retrieved from http://www.thecomfortline.com/files/pdfs/1994%20-%20Holistic%20Comfort%20for%20Nursing.pdf
Liehr, P., & Smith, M. J. (1999). Middle range theory: Spinning research and practice to create knowledge for the new millennium. Advances in Nursing Science, 21, 81-91.
Ruland, C. M., & Moore, S. M. (1998). Theory construction based on standards of care: A proposed theory of the peaceful end of life. Nursing Outlook, 46, 169-175.
Answer
A Theory of Holistic Comfort for Nursing
Katharine Kolcaba’s theory focuses on defining holistic comfort and placing it within the nursing discipline. She builds on patient comfort which nurses should assign priority to (Kolcaba, 2011). Understanding holistic comfort has a simultaneous impact on all nursing practices (Kolcaba, 2014). The theory is based on three assumptions. The first is that people tend to respond wholly to complex stimuli. Secondly, comfort is an immediate outcome that is relevant to nursing and lastly, people have a desire to achieve or have achieved their basic comfort needs.
The concept of comfort in this theory has been reached through examining several disciplines. Among these are psychiatry, medicine and psychology (Khan, 2017). This gives the two-dimensional grid of comfort. The first shows that comfort exists in three forms namely relief, ease and transcendence. Relief is alienation from something unpleasant and is achieved when a specific need is met. Ease is being content and calm whereas, transcendence is whereby an individual is able to rise above their challenges. The second dimension describes the situations that allow comfort to develop. These are environmental, sociocultural, psycho-spiritual and physical.
For holistic comfort to be attained, there are needs that arise that should be taken care of. These needs create an imbalance, thus requiring intervention to regain the former comfort status (Gopsill, 2013). This means that positive tensions replace the negative ones, the unitary trend. Continued perceptions of comfort (increased positive response) create positivity in health-seeking behaviors as patients learn that they will be taken care of. This is important to the nursing discipline as it entails identifying and intervening in patients’ comfort needs. In conclusion, this theory points out the direction for nursing practitioners in providing healthcare and conducting research.
References
Gopsill, S. (2013). Analysis of Katherine Kolcaba’s Theory of Comfort. Word Press, Blog Post.
Khan, A.A. (2017). Application of Katharine Kolkaba Comfort Theory to Nursing Care Of Patient. International Journal of Scientific and Research Publications,7(3), 2250-3153.
Kolcaba, K. (2013). Comfort Theory. Nursing Theories, Blog Post.
Kolcaba, K.Y. (2014). A Theory of Holistic Comfort for Nursing. Journal of Advanced Nursing,19, 1178-1184.