Discussion 4.1: Story Theory and Clinical Comfort in Nursing
Discussion 4.1: Story Theory and Clinical Comfort in Nursing
Discussion Guidelines
Review the graphics and respond to the questions that follow.
Consider the central concepts of story theory. Begin by connecting with self-in-relation (developing story-plot). Use intentional dialogue (complicating health challenge). Finally, create ease (moving toward resolution).
Adapted from Smith, M. J. (2014). Story theory. Middle range theory for nursing (p. 234). Springer.
Next, consider the following image representing Comfort Theory and its eight major concepts including healthcare needs, nursing interventions, intervening variables, enhanced comfort, health-seeking behaviors, and institutional integrity. Health seeking behaviors include internal behaviors, peaceful death, and external behaviors. Institutional integrity includes best practices and best policies.
Adapted from Smith, M. C. (2020). Figure 21-2. Conceptual framework for comfort theory. In Nursing theories and nursing practice (5th ed., p. 374). F.A. Davis.
Now consider the following image representing the Quality-Care Model and its concepts of humans in relationships, relationship-centered professional encounters, leading to an outcome of feeling “cared for” and over time, enhancements in the systems’ well-being.
Adapted from Duffy, J. (2018). Revised quality-caring model ©. Quality caring in nursing and health systems: Implications for clinicians, educators, and leaders (p. 49). Springer.
Initial Post
- Describe how story theory will strengthen the care you provide to clients.
- Now, identify a specific example of a client you have encountered and explain how you could have used one of the following theories to provide quality care.
- Kolcaba’s Theory of Comfort
- Duffy’s Quality-Caring Model
This discussion will be graded using the Discussion Initial Post and Replies Rubric found in your syllabus.
Response Post(s)
Using the reply to the initial posts of at least two of your classmates.
Submission
Post your initial and follow-up responses and review full grading criteria on the page.
Discussion 4.1: Story Theory and Clinical Comfort in Nursing
Story Theory
Story theory is a model that is used in nursing to provide patient-centered care. The theory consists of interrelated concepts that include connecting with self-in-relation, intentional dialogue, and creating ease. Its use will strengthen the care that I provide to patients in a number of ways. One of them will be improving my understanding of the actual and potential needs of the patients I serve. Through self-expression by clients, I will identify the critical care needs that should be prioritized to promote quality in care. The use of story theory will also strengthen self-awareness of the patients. Patients will understand their negative thoughts and opportunities that can be explored to ensure that their maladaptive thoughts and beliefs are replaced with positive behaviors. The use of this theory will therefore improve the coping skills of patients with their health problems. An example of the ways in which the story theory will improve the care given to patients is when working with individuals with depression. Story theory enables patients with depression to understand their negative thoughts and beliefs and transform them through the identification of effective coping skills for depressive symptoms (Chuang et al., 2018).
Specific Example: Kolcaba’s Theory of Comfort
One example of a patient experience that I have encountered in the clinical setting was a trauma patient brought to the emergency room after a motor vehicle collision with a left femur fracture. The patient was in a severe pain that made it difficult for him to cooperate during the primary and secondary assessment. I could have used Kolcaba’s theory of comfort in addressing the care needs of this patient. According to the theory, meeting the comfort needs of a patient result in his or her sense of relief from distress (Oliveira et al., 2020). It also contributes to ease of experience with the health problem. I could have applied the theory by promoting comfort through the administration of analgesics to ease the pain (Puchi et al., 2018). I would have also promoted his ease by explaining trauma care process, reassuring and calming him that the health problem would be addressed effectively.
References
Chuang, H.-W., Kao, C.-W., Lee, M.-D., & Chang, Y.-C. (2018). Effectiveness of Story-Centred Care Intervention Program in older persons living in long-term care facilities: A randomized, longitudinal study. PLoS ONE, 13(3), e0194178. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0194178
Oliveira, S. M. de, Costa, K. N. de F. M., Santos, K. F. O. dos, Oliveira, J. dos S., Pereira, M. A., & Fernandes, M. das G. M. (2020). Comfort needs as perceived by hospitalized elders: An analysis under the light of Kolcaba’s theory. Revista Brasileira de Enfermagem, 73. https://doi.org/10.1590/0034-7167-2019-0501
Puchi, C., Paravic-Klijn, T., & Salazar, A. (2018). The Comfort Theory as a Theoretical Framework Applied to a Clinical Case of Hospital at Home. Holistic Nursing Practice, 32(5), 228–239. https://doi.org/10.1097/HNP.0000000000000275
Story Theory
Story theory is a model that is used in nursing to provide patient-centered care. The theory consists of interrelated concepts that include connecting with self-in-relation, intentional dialogue, and creating ease. Its use will strengthen the care that I provide to patients in a number of ways. One of them will be improving my understanding of the actual and potential needs of the patients I serve. Through self-expression by clients, I will identify the critical care needs that should be prioritized to promote quality in care. The use of story theory will also strengthen self-awareness of the patients. Patients will understand their negative thoughts and opportunities that can be explored to ensure that their maladaptive thoughts and beliefs are replaced with positive behaviors. The use of this theory will therefore improve the coping skills of patients with their health problems. An example of the ways in which the story theory will improve the care given to patients is when working with individuals with depression. Story theory enables patients with depression to understand their negative thoughts and beliefs and transform them through the identification of effective coping skills for depressive symptoms (Chuang et al., 2018).
Specific Example: Kolcaba’s Theory of Comfort
One example of a patient experience that I have encountered in the clinical setting was a trauma patient brought to the emergency room after a motor vehicle collision with a left femur fracture. The patient was in a severe pain that made it difficult for him to cooperate during the primary and secondary assessment. I could have used Kolcaba’s theory of comfort in addressing the care needs of this patient. According to the theory, meeting the comfort needs of a patient result in his or her sense of relief from distress (Oliveira et al., 2020). It also contributes to ease of experience with the health problem. I could have applied the theory by promoting comfort through the administration of analgesics to ease the pain (Puchi et al., 2018). I would have also promoted his ease by explaining trauma care process, reassuring and calming him that the health problem would be addressed effectively.
References
Chuang, H.-W., Kao, C.-W., Lee, M.-D., & Chang, Y.-C. (2018). Effectiveness of Story-Centred Care Intervention Program in older persons living in long-term care facilities: A randomized, longitudinal study. PLoS ONE, 13(3), e0194178. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0194178
Oliveira, S. M. de, Costa, K. N. de F. M., Santos, K. F. O. dos, Oliveira, J. dos S., Pereira, M. A., & Fernandes, M. das G. M. (2020). Comfort needs as perceived by hospitalized elders: An analysis under the light of Kolcaba’s theory. Revista Brasileira de Enfermagem, 73. https://doi.org/10.1590/0034-7167-2019-0501
Puchi, C., Paravic-Klijn, T., & Salazar, A. (2018). The Comfort Theory as a Theoretical Framework Applied to a Clinical Case of Hospital at Home. Holistic Nursing Practice, 32(5), 228–239. https://doi.org/10.1097/HNP.0000000000000275
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Initial Post:
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Story Theory The story theory presents a framework where the nurse and person can develop an intimate relationship critical in improving the quality of care. The practitioner has a favorable understanding of the perspectives of the patient regarding the treatment process and its cultural implications; thus, they are uniquely placed to tailor the plan to the required specificity for the realization of positive health outcomes. Connecting with self-in-relation involves the practitioner identifying with the needs of the person. The nurse engages in hypothetical speculation through intentional dialogue to create ease (Brodziak et al., 2017). The practitioner endeavors to explain the treatment plan in relation to the medical condition by immersing themselves in a story to make it relatable and expedite movement towards a resolution. The professional seeks to create a feedback channel where the patient can participate in the provision of care by offering insights and other critical information required to achieve improved recovery prospects. Specific Example/ Duffy’s Quality Caring Model Duffy’s (2008) quality caring model explores the value of empathetic nursing within the modern context of evidence-based practice. Patient care is segmented into a variety of satisfaction indicators that, if met, significantly improves the prospect of achieving positive health outcomes. The theory advocates for relationship-centered professional encounters between practitioners and patients to relish a sense of being cared for, thus, expedite recovery prospects and enhance the subject’s well-being. One particular case that resonates with me the that of Mrs. M, a 76-year-old female who was not responding to treatment. I noted that the patient’s poor response was primarily caused by immense psychological stress caused by increased financial uncertainty. Being an immigrant and a low-income earner, she was ineligible for Medicaid and was unable to afford private insurance. The patient’s daughter had lost her job during the pandemic. Mrs. M was worried she might not be discharged from the facility after receiving treatment. I assisted her by informing her of the available facilities for persons in her situation. The patient was grateful that someone had expressed genuine concern for her plight and recovered soon after.
References Brodziak, A., Wolinska, A., & Rozyk-Myrta, A. (2017). The story theory is a key element of many holistic nursing procedures. J Gerontol Geriatr Res, 6(454), 2. https://www.longdom.org/open-access/the-story-theory-is-a-key-element-of-many-holistic-nursing-procedures-2167-7182-1000454.pdf Duffy, J. R. (2008). Quality caring in nursing: Applying theory to clinical practice, education, and leadership. Springer Publishing Company. |
3 / 3 pts
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— / 3 pts
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3 / 3 pts
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2 / 2 pts
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1 / 2 pts
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2 / 2 pts
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| Total Points: 11 | ||
