Theory Of Human Caring Research Articles

Effects of Nursing Care Based on Watson's Theory of Human Caring on Anxiety, Distress, And Coping, When Infertility Treatment Fails: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

Introduction: The failure of infertility treatment leads to individual, familial, and social problems. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of the nursing care program based on Watson’s "Theory of Human Caring" on anxiety and distress caused by coping when the treatment fails. Methods: This study randomized controlled trial study was conducted from April to November 2012, with 86 Turkish women with infertility (intervention group: 45, control group: 41). Follow-up of 32 infertile women, who failed infertility treatment from intervention group, and 35 infertile women, who failed infertility treatment from control group, continued for another four weeks. Data were collected through Spiel Berger’s State/Trait Anxiety Inventory, Distress Scale, and Ways of Coping Questionnaire. The analyses of data were conducted using SPSS ver 13. Results: The intervention and control groups significantly differed in terms of anxiety, distress, and coping levels. The intervention group’s mean anxiety score decreased by thirteen points and distress by fourteen points (in a positive direction). The intervention group’s mean positive coping style score increased. Whereas a negative increase was observed in the control group’s values depending on the failure of the treatment. Conclusion: Watson’s theory of human caring is recommended as a guide to nursing patients with infertility treatment to decrease levels of anxiety and distress, and to increase the positive coping style among infertile women.

The Scientific production about the Human Caring Theory: a bibliometric study

The Human Caring Theory supports and guides the nursing care with a view to a holistic and transpersonal care, bringing attention love, ethics and spirituality as an essential component of care. Therefore, this study aimed to analyze Bibliometric indicators of scientific literature concerning the Human Caring Theory disseminated in journals online, with an emphasis on characterization of publications. It is a Bibliometric study in a quantitative approach. The sample was made up of 55 articles published from 1995 to 2015. The data obtained showed that the national journals are published on Human Caring Theory, with predominance of original articles published between the years 2010 and 2011. It is concluded that the publications about the subject investigated quantitative feature listless, considering the period researched. It is suggested to conduct new studies to broaden and deepen the knowledge. 
 Key words: Nursing; Nursing Theory; Nursing Care; Bibliometrics; Comprehensive Health Care.

Application of Watson's Theory of Human Caring to End of Life Care in the Burns Intensive Care Unit: A Case Report

Abstract Care provision to severely burned patients is a challenging task that has the potential of putting aside other spheres of the patient and placing emphasis on the physical injury. Thus, Watson's Theory of Human Caring was applied to a burned patient. Though his stay was short, it offered an opportunity to assess the applicability of Watson's theory to end of life care. The theory proved useful to end of life care in the unit but it was identified that the current nursing care strategies will have to change to the primary nursing approach to enable a continuity of this application.

A Reflection on the Theoretical Basis of the “A-Pie” Model of Clinical Education

Abstract Clinical training is a key component of nursing education with the aim of equipping nursing students/ interns with skills needed for professional practice. Though patient characteristics and nursing care continue to evolve significantly, strategies for clinical training in nursing has been poorly developed. Thus, the A-PIE model is being developed and currently being implemented in a Burn Unit in Ghana. As the model reflects the need to have a professional caring relationship between the student nurse and the practitioner, Watson's Theory of Human Caring has been selected as the basis of the model.

Meanings Given to Professional Care: Focus Group Results

Background: Many studies have focused on exploring the concept of care from patient and nurse perspectives, but knowledge is limited regarding student perceptions. Objective: To explore the meanings given to the concept of professional care from the perspective of graduate students in nursing and pastoral care. Research design: A qualitative study was employed with the formation of six focus groups. Data were analyzed via a thematic content analysis of the discussions. Participants and research context: Thirty-one students attending a University College in Oslo participated. Findings: Seven main themes and forty-four subthemes were identified. Major themes included reverence and respect for the dignity and value of human life, bonding, sensitive to self and other, communication, competence, willfulness and deep caring. Discussion: Different levels of intentionality, professional comportment and caring consciousness were revealed in the discussions. Findings also lend support to major beliefs and values in Watson’s Human Caring Theory. Conclusion: The focus groups generated valuable detail of complex experiences behind student’s perceptions, attitudes, beliefs and actions. Focus group methodology can enhance holistic nursing practice by providing opportunities to explore and clarify holistic care values, create opportunities for self-awareness and transformative learning in education, clinical practice, administration and research.

Evolution of Watson's Human Caring Science in the Digital Age

Abstract The emergence of the digital age has expanded the role of the nurse to include frequent digital interactions with instructors, peers, patients, managers, organizations, communities, and beyond. Also, because digital resources provide expansive teaching/learning/sharing opportunities where challenges related to geography, proximity, time, language, culture, and economics do not preclude accessibility, new possibilities for establishing global caring/learning communities have emerged where transdisciplinary, multicultural, diverse cohorts from all over the world have opportunities to come together to learn about caring and share unique perspectives and experiences. Ten studies based on Watson's human caring theory, all with a focus on teaching, conveying, and sustaining caring in online nursing classrooms, have validated the applicability and relevance of utilizing Jean Watson's human caring theory to better understand the phenomenon of caring in digital settings.

Creating Healing Environments Through the Theory of Caring

We describe the journey of personnel at one hospital to create a healing environment for patients and staff members at all levels through the implementation of Watson’s Theory of Human Caring and her Caritas Processes (ie, loving kindness, authentic presence, spirituality, being the environment, believing in miracles). We used experiential teaching and learning to explore the nursing theory with staff members. Positive outcomes include using Caritas Processes care plans in our electronic medical record, greater ease in the understanding and application of Watson’s theory, integrating a blessing for nurses during National Nurses Week, inclusion of ministry formation courses to extend the mission of the hospital’s founding religious order to current and future employees, and positive patient feedback. As a result of theory application, our nurses are more open to discussing caring, authentic presence and, when appropriate, prayer in their clinical narratives and how it is affecting patients and themselves.

Guided Imagery for Pain Management in Postoperative Orthopedic Patients: An Integrative Literature Review.

Pain following orthopedic surgery can be intense due to the nature of the surgical procedure. Pain is a multilevel phenomenon that includes physiological and psychosocial components. Interventions that address body, mind, and spirit are needed to provide holistic management of pain. Guided imagery is a mind-body intervention that can address all aspects of the patient's pain experience. This integrative review, informed by Watson's theory of human caring, identifies evidence that either supports or refutes the use of guided imagery as a supplement to pharmaceutical pain management for postoperative orthopedic patients. An integrative literature search was conducted. Twenty-two studies were identified as potentially relevant to this study. Nine of the articles met all inclusion criteria and were included in this study. Based on the evidence reviewed, it is recommended that guided imagery be used as an adjunct for pain management in patients undergoing orthopedic surgery. However, additional research in this area is needed. Future research: Two topics for further research were identified. The first is a need to identify an optimal frequency of use of guided imagery. The second is to identify how to ensure patients are using the intervention as recommended.

La mujer con cáncer de mama: una experiencia desde la perspectiva del cuidado humano

This article describes a proposal regarding the nursing care for women suffering from breast cancer. This proposal is founded on the experience gathered by nursing teachers and students through the program named Integral Attention Program to Women with Breast Cancer. This program was started in 2007 with the aim of offering holistic care to women suffering from breast cancer. The program is adjusted to the individual conditions of each patient. The orienting principles of the program reflect the human care theory of Jean Watson, and as a methodological tool, it reflects the nursing attention process. The program started with a population of 20 women to whom, advising was offered regarding their treatments. By the year 2015, the program included 108 women, all of them who were individually assessed and treated in accordance to the nursing diagnosis and to the specific cancer stage and its corresponding treatment. Parallel activities included group encounters aimed at improving the women’s self-esteem and adherence to the treatments. Regarding the support aimed at overcoming the barriers in the administrative processes, improvements related to the authorization of support for diagnosis, as well as inter-consultation with specialties other than oncology, were all achieved. A total of 52 external breast prosthetic appliances and 22 wigs were given.

Proceso caritas en una narrativa de enfermería

La narrativa de enfermería es plasmar por escrito la experiencia vivida por enfermería, en una relación significativa y profesional, con una persona sujeto de cuidado, en un momento de cuidado, constituyéndose así en un refiexionar sobre lo que las enfermeras realizan en el acto de cuidado, entendido como la práctica suprema del profesional de enfermería. Este concepto de cuidado ha sido identificado en la Teoría del Cuidado humano o Caring sciencie de Jean Watson, la cual sostiene que es necesario el rescate del aspecto humano en el acto de cuidar, mismo que se denomina cuidado transpersonal y que está basado en el Proceso Caritas como un proceso determinado por la conexión más allá del ego; una conexión entre persona que cuida (enfermera) y persona sujeto de cuidado (ser humano que recibe el cuidado). Este artículo lleva a la refiexión mediante la identificación l Proceso Caritas en un momento de cuidado, plasmado en una narrativa de enfermería.

Watson’s Human Caring Theory: Pertinent Transpersonal and Humanities Concepts for Educators

Jean Watson’s Theory of Human Caring and the caring moment are based in part in the concepts of transpersonal psychology. This paper will provide a historical background around transpersonal psychology and how it relates to Watson’s human caring moment. The purpose of explicating these humanities-based concepts is to support nurses and nurse educators in creating a deeper understanding of Watson’s caring-healing moment as a time-space continuum, where the nurse’s caring supports a mutually created environment for healing. The article provides useful background information, as well as outlining simple steps to revising nursing curricula so that they become supportive of nursing students’ growth as transpersonal-caring beings.

Developing an Educational Intervention to Strengthen Humanistic Practices of Hemodialysis Nurses in Switzerland

An educational intervention was developed based on Watson’s theory of human caring and dispensed to hemodialysis (HD) nurses in Nyon, Switzerland. HD patients point out that human contact with nurses can become therapeutic when characterized by caring. Research has documented the importance of the contribution of such caring practice to the rehabilitation of patients living with a chronic illness. This initiative supports the relevance of exploring humanistic caring practice in order to contribute to the rehabilitation of HD patients. The article presents the principal stages of the theoretical development of the educational intervention.

Developing an Educational Intervention to Strengthen Humanistic Practices of Hemodialysis Nurses in Switzerland

Abstract An educational intervention was developed based on Watson's theory of human caring and dispensed to hemodialysis (HD) nurses in Nyon, Switzerland. HD patients point out that human contact with nurses can become therapeutic when characterized by caring. Research has documented the importance of the contribution of such caring practice to the rehabilitation of patients living with a chronic illness. This initiative supports the relevance of exploring humanistic caring practice in order to contribute to the rehabilitation of HD patients. The article presents the principal stages of the theoretical development of the educational intervention.

Shining a Light on Nursing Art in Pakistan

Abstract Nursing is considered both science and art. Artful nursing has been essential for holistic nursing practice since the time of Nightingale, but it is getting neglected and has been lately limited to nursing literature (Gramling, 2004). This qualitative study seeks to gain an understanding of the perceptions of active nurses in Pakistan about nursing art and yields four major themes: artful nursing is embedded in humane responsiveness, artful nursing has healing power, artful nursing is a satisfying experience, and artful nursing is invisible in nursing practice. Study participants valued nursing art, and their perceptions illuminate Watson's Theory of Human Caring (1988).

Feasibility, Acceptability, and Preliminary Effects of Educational Intervention to Strengthen Humanistic Practice Among Hemodialysis Nurses in the Canton of Vaud, Switzerland: A Pilot Study

Abstract A mixed-design pilot study was undertaken to examine the feasibility, acceptability, and preliminary effects of an educational intervention based on the theory of human caring delivered to hemodialysis (HD) nurses in Switzerland. Participants were 9 nurses and 22 patients undergoing HD. Results showed that the proposed intervention had a high level of feasibility and acceptability. Following the intervention, participating nurses consolidated their caring attitudes/behaviours toward patients undergoing HD. The patients, for their part, perceived significant changes in the nurses' caring attitudes/behaviours following the intervention. Further research is needed to examine its effects on a larger population of nurses and patients.

Journaling: A Caring Initiative

Abstract The mothers of hospitalized newborns are faced with the difficult challenge of separation. Journaling may narrow the separation gap and strengthen the caring connection. A qualitative study was developed utilizing a grounded theory approach and the theory of human caring to investigate the caring perspectives of mothers separated from their newborns. All mothers, separated from their hospitalized newborn, in a 9-bed neonatal intensive care unit were given a journal. Questionnaires were given to the mothers when their newborns were discharged. The investigation was focused on mothers' caring perspectives toward their newborns and the process of journaling. The study revealed the theoretical premise that journaling provides opportunities for the expression of feelings, self-healing while building and strengthening caring connections thereby facilitating attachments.

Evaluation of Authentic Human Caring Professional Practices

The aim of this study was to present an instrument and comparative database designed to evaluate patients' perceptions of caring behaviors of caregivers. Acute care leaders are under pressure to improve publicly reported patient satisfaction scores. Some nurse leaders have implemented professional practice environments based on human caring theory, whereas others have used scripting to standardize communication between staff and patients. The Watson Caritas Patient Score (WCPS) is collected quarterly from a random sample of patients who are admitted to acute care hospital units. The WCPS was able to discriminate across unit types and hospitals. Items were related to publicly reported nursing communication scores. Participation in research based on human caring theory has given nurse leaders the opportunity to evaluate effectiveness of professional practice environments. It may provide the opportunity to focus staff communication with patients more authentically and in a way that enriches the experience for both.

Creating a Caritas Culture in a Community Hospital Setting: A Labor of Love

As social, political, and economic forces increasingly impact and challenge the healthcare environment, nurse leaders must purposefully seek and achieve continuous system improvement to ensure organizational viability. This article describes the vision of a passionate nurse leader who recognized two vital points: the necessity of theoretical underpinnings to guide nursing practice and the theory of human caring as relevant and pragmatic, capturing the essence of nursing. The replicable journey of embedding Watson’s caring theory into the institution’s structure and processes of care resulted in improved quality and financial outcomes, and transformed the culture of an entire organization.

Authentic caring occasions for patients in hairy cell leukemia clinical trials.

Rare diseases present challenges for patients, healthcare providers, and researchers. Rare disease communities exist for collaboration, dissemination of information, and to promote support for all community members. Patients with a rare disease desire to be supported through a rare disease community. Hairy cell leukemia (HCL) is a rare adult B-cell lymphocytic cancer that currently has no cure. Patients with relapsed or refractory HCL may need to consider participation in a clinical trial. The research nurse can initiate a planned caring occasion based on Watson's Theory of Human Caring. The purpose of the planned caring occasion for patients with HCL in clinical trials is to establish authentic intentional caring encounters between the research nurse and patients and meaningful caring encounters between patients. Relapsed or refractory patients enrolled in an HCL clinical trial identify the trial as a microcommunity and the research nurse as an advocate and liaison. Patients seek support, empowerment, and the opportunity to connect with other patients with HCL. The planned caring occasion has the potential to provide a healing environment and facilitate shared experiences of living with HCL. The potential outcome for patients is strengthened holistic wellness.

Sense, Connect, Facilitate: Nurse Educator Experiences of Caring Online Through Watson’s Lens

Twenty-four nurse educators spontaneously provided rich narratives in response to an online survey that asked only for brief answers to 4 questions: Is it possible to demonstrate caring online? What cues prompt you to initiate caring interventions with students? What caring interventions do you initiate in response to those cues? How do students respond to your caring efforts? Themes encompassed within these remarkable narratives include sense, connect, and facilitate. These themes correspond to key elements in Watson’s human caring theory and provide a window into the philosophies and practices of 24 wise, intuitive, creative, and deeply caring nurse educators.