Swanson's Theory Research Articles

Holistic Nursing Care for Perinatal Loss Based on Swanson's Theory of Caring

Abstract Purpose: The purpose of this study was to inform perinatal loss care by expanding upon the five processes of Swanson's Theory of Caring through a holistic lens. Study Design and Methods: This study was a qualitative content analysis of 34 interview transcripts of parents' experiences with perinatal loss. A priori codes were identified using a holistic model which guided the integration of parents' holistic needs into Swanson's Theory. Results: Nurses can address parents' physical, psychological, social, spiritual, and cultural needs using Swanson's Theory to provide high-quality, holistic care that may foster healing. Parents were appreciative of nurses who were transparent, did not avoid talking about their baby, facilitated memorialization, and fostered bonding. Anticipating parents' needs, being emotionally present, and recognizing the meaning of the perinatal loss experienced helped parents to have a more positive loss experience. Clinical Implications: By incorporating holistic interventions into care guided by Swanson's Theory, nurses can empower parents within their loss experience. Interventions to create memories, foster bonding and connection, promote autonomy, and celebrate personhood may facilitate healing. It is necessary to ensure nurses have the support and resources to attend to parents' holistic needs, including education and sufficient time for care interactions. Providing education in perinatal loss and grief, particularly to new nurse graduates, is necessary to ensure nurses are equipped to provide holistic care to families experiencing perinatal loss.

Caring for the Unvaccinated During a Pandemic: Connecting Swanson's Theory of Caring.

Background and Purpose: Nurses frequently care for patients who make decisions against medical advice, a challenge that continues during and after the COVID-19 pandemic. This article explores U.S. nurses' experiences caring for unvaccinated COVID-19 patients and the resulting impacts using Swanson's Theory of Caring (STC). Methods: Data were gathered through an online survey collecting nurses' demographics, mental health screening data, and an open-ended question asking about a personal experience providing care to an unvaccinated COVID-19 patient. Researchers analyzed 128 responses using content analysis. STC served as the analytical framework. Results: Nurses' experiences were summarized into two main themes and four subthemes: (a) anger, frustration, fatigue, and resentment (24.2%) and (b) feeling a professional commitment to a nurse's duty (60.9%). Within the professional commitment theme, subthemes include the following: (a) patients can make an autonomous decision (15.6%); (b) feeling concerned for the patient (6.3%); (c) wanting to take action, educate, and vaccinate (29.7%); and (d) feeling moral conflict (9.3%). Results aligned with STC's five caring actions: knowing, doing for, being with, enabling, and maintaining belief. Implications for Practice: Nurses experienced emotional challenges caring for the unvaccinated during the pandemic resulting in psychological sequelae, including compassion fatigue and moral distress, in addition to positive outcomes of resilience and enhanced coping mechanisms. This study underscores the multifaceted nature of nurses' experiences and the emotional, ethical, and professional challenges they encountered when caring for unvaccinated COVID-19 patients. Nurse leaders should address these issues to enhance nurses' wellbeing and reduce compassion fatigue and dissatisfaction.

Experiences of African American caregivers providing care for family living with Alzheimer's disease: A descriptive phenomenological study.

This study aimed to describe how African American family caregivers of people living with Alzheimer's disease manage caregiving. A qualitative study design using a descriptive phenomenological approach was used to understand the lived experiences of African American family caregivers. Fifteen individual semi-structured and in-depth interviews were conducted via telephone or videoconference between January and June 2023 to address the research question. Guided by Swanson's theory of caring, the data transcribed verbatim from the audio-recorded interviews were analyzed using Colaizzi's methodology. Eight themes emerged from the data: (a) Parenting all over again, (b) Self-sacrifice, (c) Caring for the caregiver, (d) Connecting to God, (e) Responsibility to care, (f) Trapped, (g) Beyond exhaustion, and (h) Loss of self. The findings of the study indicate that African American family caregivers of people living with Alzheimer's disease often experience physical, mental, and emotional exhaustion while managing care. Thus, there is a considerable need for greater support, health promotion, and development of appropriate interventions to alleviate the challenges experienced so that they can continue in their caregiving role with some respite.

Using Caring Theory to Guide Application of Psychological PPE to Support Graduate Nurse Wellbeing in a Pandemic and Beyond

The COVID-19 pandemic disrupted lives worldwide, including students pursuing secondary education. This disruption caused increased worry, anxiety, and overall stress in students. Graduate-level nursing students also not only experienced stress related to educational disruptions but also due to work and home life upheaval as well. Faculty were challenged to support students in reducing educational stress and anxiety. While the Institute for Healthcare Improvement introduced the concept of ‘Psychological Personal Protective Equipment’ (PPE) to support the mental well-being of healthcare workers, this article explores how faculty implemented psychological PPE in graduate-level education using Swanson's Theory of Caring as the theoretical framework during the pandemic and how these constructs can continue to support student wellbeing in today's challenging environment.

Using Open Educational Practices: Implications for Nursing Education.

This paper reports on our use of open educational practices (OEPs) with online students in nursing. Our aim was to provide nurse educators with knowledge about (and examples of) OEPs they could use to enhance student learning and their career satisfaction. Using collaborative autoethnography, we probed our open teaching strategies. With Swanson's middle-range theory of caring as a theoretical framework and thematic analysis of our data set (which included literature annotations, dialogic conversation transcripts, individual reflections, and course evaluations), we uncovered 5 themes relevant to nursing education. The themes are student achievement of affective domain learning outcomes, our values as a blueprint for action, alignment of our OEPs and relational pedagogy, mutuality of the experience, and the ongoing process of learning to be an open educational practitioner. Using OEPs can help develop skilled and caring nurses.

Pelaksanaan Perencanaan Pulang Pasien Berbasis Theory Of Caring Swanson pada Pasien Stroke

This study aims to identify the effectiveness of nurses in carrying out discharge planning for stroke patients and their families based on the components of Swanson's Theory of Caring. The research method used is a systematic review through databases and electronic websites, namely Scopus, Sciencedirect, ProQuest, Research Gate, PubMed and Google Scholar. The research results showed that of the 15 research articles there were articles that reported an increase in knowledge of stroke patients and their families after being given discharge planning so that they could improve care after being at home. Conclusion: Discharge planning based on Swanson's Caring Theory involves five components, namely maintaining belief, knowing, being with, doing for, enabling. There is effectiveness of nurses in implementing caring-based discharge planning for patients with stroke. Keywords: Caring, Patient Discharge Planning, Stroke

Nurse-infant bonding: A theory synthesis

This theory synthesis of Hill & Flanagan's concept of bonding and Swanson's Theory of Caring yields a situation-specific theory of Nurse-Infant Bonding to describe and explain this phenomenon. The outcomes for the nurse, infant, and mother (or parental figure) are identified to support the importance of nurse-infant bonding and important developmental outcomes. Implementation of these cognitive processes and observable actions must be implemented by the nurse in settings in which an infant is at risk for poor physical, social, and emotional development.

Using Swanson’s theory to improve quality of work life to strengthen the healthcare sector in Ukraine and South Africa

South Africa and Ukraine share similar challenges for staff in the healthcare sector. Health care workers in South Africa have borne the brunt of the COVID-19 pandemic whereas in Ukraine health care workers, amidst the war have had to show valour and a tough spirit in caring for their patients under very trying circumstances. Arising from the above tragedies, health care workers have shown incredible bravery both in Ukraine and in South Africa, however they display extreme burn out. In Ukraine, nurses are working in the conflict zone and have to manage complex patient mental and physical health issues. Some have even been subjected to violence from traumatized patients. This article assesses the healthcare situation both in Ukraine and South Africa and provides a descriptive report utilizing The Swanson's theory of caring. The elements of Swanson’s theory consisting of maintaining belief, knowing, being with, doing for, and enabling can be linked to characteristics such as supporting patients and colleagues, being sensitive, affectionate and empathetic while feeling a sense of responsibility towards the department and patients. The study, based at selected South African public central hospitals in two provinces, adopted a descriptive exploratory paradigm. Qualitative techniques were used to administer an interview schedule to 322 frontline participants. The results revealed that despite high commitment levels, the participants still faced challenges that impact their daily work life. The study conducted in South Africa on Quality of Work life (QWL) experiences of frontline healthcare workers leaves recommendations for the Ukrainian health care sector.

Nurse Caring Behavior Experienced Patients Based on Swanson's Theory in The Inpatient Room of X Hospital Batam

Caring is an act related to respect, understanding, and responsibility. In nursing services, there are still attitudes of nurses who still need to implement caring behaviour optimally. In Indonesia, the majority of low caring behaviour is performed by nurses, as much as 56.3%. A preliminary study was conducted at a private hospital in Batam City; it was found that patients said nurses had only interacted with patients for a short time. This study aimed to explore patient experiences related to caring behaviour based on Swanson's theory in the Inpatient Room of X Hospital Batam. This research method uses qualitative methods with a phenomenological approach. Data was collected using semi-structured in-depth interviews, recorded using mobile phones for 7 participants according to the inclusion and exclusion criteria, and the data analysis process used Creswell data analysis. The results of the study obtained three themes, namely, (1) growing confidence and trust in patients, (2) showing professionalism to patients, and (3) providing information and providing support to patients. This study concluded that the nurses had caring behaviour according to Swanson's theory, but from the participants' experiences, not all aspects of Swanson's caring process were reflected in this study. It is hoped that future researchers can explore all aspects of Swanson's caring theory or prove it was using other theories related to caring behaviour given by nurses.

Everyday life during the childhood cancer trajectory-childhood cancer survivors' descriptions of the role of caring support.

Being diagnosed with cancer in childhood often has a direct impact on the child's opportunities to participate in activities and the child's sense of belonging in different life situations. Experiences of illness in youth affect the lives of these individuals in numerous ways and they need pronounced support to regain their normal life after treatment. To illustrate how childhood cancer survivors describe the role of the caring support provided by healthcare professionals at diagnosis and during the cancer trajectory. A mixed methods approach was applied. Swanson's Theory of Caring was used to deductively analyze the answers in a study-specific questionnaire with Likert scales (1-5). Descriptive and comparative statistics and exploratory factor analyses were performed. Sixty-two former patients, diagnosed with solid tumors/lymphoma in 1983 to 2003 in Sweden, participated. The mean time passed since treatment was 15.7 years. Swanson's caring processes Being with and Doing for were the most prominent loading categorical factor indicators. Higher scores for healthcare professionals being emotionally present (Being with), doing for others what they would do for themselves (Doing for) and being willing to understand the sick child's situation (Knowing) were highlighted by survivors older than 30 years, compared to those younger than 30 years (p = 0.041, p = 0.045, and p = 0.013, respectively). An increased vulnerability regarding their ability to cope with difficulties (Maintain belief) was found among participants who were treated during adolescence, related to schoolchildren (p = 0.048), and among those who had been treated with extra-cranial irradiation in comparison with no extra-cranial irradiation (p = 0.004). The role of having a partner in comparison with being single was underlined among those who felt they had acquired the tools they needed to take care of themselves (Enabling) (p = 0.013). The total explained variance was 63%. A person-centered care approach during treatment for childhood cancer, reflected by a caring model, highlights the role of healthcare professionals being emotionally present, involving children, performing actions, and with an approach that has potential long-term implications. Childhood cancer patients and survivors need not only clinically competent professionals, but professionals who provide caring interactions with compassion.

Reflection on Child-Friendly Healthcare in the Emergency Department From the Perspective of the Nurse-Patient Relationship

Emergency nurses, especially when caring for pediatric patients, typically establish relationships with their patients under hectic and busy conditions. Thus, these nurses often rely on semi-coaxing / slightly stressful methods to quickly prepare patients to undergo necessary medical procedures. However these approaches cause tense relationships. To establish friendly bridges with pediatric patients, emergency nurses should adopt sincere and caring approaches. An approach based on Swanson's caring theory for applying child-friendly healthcare in the emergency department is proposed in this article. It is important to establish a friendly bridge with pediatric patients with emergency treatment needs and their families in a sincere and caring manner; to understand the needs of these children and their families when seeking medical treatment; to be present, listen, and respond to these patients and provide decision-making power when appropriate; and to provide professional care and method knowledge to empower families to care for their children. Accomplishing this may be expected to improve trust in both children with emergency medical needs and their families and thus decrease their anxiety, negative emotions, and stress. We hope that reflecting on the relationship between nurses and patients may further promote the practice of friendly healthcare in pediatric emergency departments.

The Social Process of Caregiving in Fathers: A Grounded Theory Study.

The United Nation's Agenda 2030 recognizes unpaid domestic caregiving in the home as the largest barrier to gender equality. However, little research has been conducted to understanding the social process through which fathers engage in caregiving. The purpose of this constructivist grounded theory study was to explore the social process of caregiving in fathers. Recruited from multiple community settings, 35 fathers participated in intensive interviews with the investigator. The initial interview guide was developed through Swanson's Theory of Caring and modified as themes emerged. Data analysis occurred using an iterative categorization matrix for organization and clarity. This study proposed the action-based Caregiving in Fathers Theory. The 3 main themes of the theory center on the following: (1) reconciling the past through "Reinventing the Kitchen Table"; (2) managing the present through "Creating a Home"; and (3) preparing for the future through "Discovering Empowerment." For fathers, gender equality in society begins with accepting fathers as proficient, competent, and primary caregivers. This theory reveals the motivations of fathers in participating in unpaid domestic caregiving in the home.

THE PRENATAL NURSING CONSULTATION FROM THE PERSPECTIVE OF KRISTEN SWANSON'S THEORY OF CARE

Objective: to understand the meanings attributed by Amazonian women regarding the prenatal nursing consultation. Method: descriptive, exploratory, and qualitative study, conducted through semi-structured interviews with the participation of 14 pregnant women in a basic health unit in the State of Pará, Brazil, between the months of August and November 2020. Data were transcribed and submitted to content analysis and supported based on the optics of Kristen Swanson's Theory of Care. Results: prenatal care must be focused on creating a bond and the Amazonian woman's singularity, allowing for her understanding to meet the women's specificities, articulating integral health care, a relationship of knowing and being with the woman and her family, for relationships of exchange and involvement, providing a link to maternal health. Conclusion: concepts from the theory of care allow the nurse to be with the woman and provide individualized, singular, particularized care within the context of prenatal care.

Relationship Between Nurse Caring and Parents Anxiety Level in Children Who Has Hospitalized Based on Approach Swanson Theory

Parents have a very supportive role for chidren. Especially in children who are experiencing hospitalization. Hospitalization can have an impact on both the children and the parents. In general, anxiety is one of the effects of hospitalization on both children and parents. So that the nursing care needed t address hospitalization is not only focused on children but also on parents. Comprehensive nursing care is an indicator of professional service quality by nurses which can be demonstrated by caring behavior. The purpose of this research is to find out the relationship between nurse caring and parental anxiety levels in children experiencing hospitalization is based on the swanson theory approach. This research is a literature review using several literature search strategies, namely using the PICOS, keywords used nurse caring, parental anxiety, child hospitalization and the database used was Garuda, Google Scholar, ProQuest and PubMed. There is a significant relationship between nurse caring and the level of anxiety of parents whose children are hospitalized. Nurse caring based on the Swanson theory is a caring behavior that can be nurtured and evaluated at any time. So that the caring of nurses based on Swanson theory is expected to reduce parental anxiety levels in chidren experiencing hospitalization. And furthermore can have positive effects such as accelerating recovery, shortening hospitalization and increasing patient and family satisfaction.

Evaluation of Quality of Nursing Work-Life: Based on Swanson’s Theory of Caring

BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY: Quality of Nursing Work-Life has become a major factor in influencing the quality of nursing services. Meanwhile, the caringbehavior that is shown by nurses can predict the value of their work quality
 AIM OF THE STUDY: This study aimed to assess the QNWL and to identify the predictors based on Swanson's theory of caring including compassion,competence, and upholding trust.
 METHODOLOGY: Cross-sectional studies were conducted in a nurse at a hospital in Tulungagung and a hospital in Banyuwangi (n
 = 420 by simple random sampling) from January to April 2021. The instrument in this study was developed by standard guidelines of Swanson's theory andQNWL's instruments. Multiple linear regression was used to identify predictors.
 RESULTS: The mean score of QNWL was 132.05 (SD = 0.936) (range of possible score = 32 - 160). Upholding trust (0.01), Compassion (0.03), and competence (0.02) significantly predicted QNWL (R Square = 0.795).
 CONCLUSION: The constructs of Swanson's Theory significantly predicted QNWL. This study supports an investigation about the factors underlying QNWL on a larger scale, as well as the identification of targets in designing future interventions.

A Study to Assess the Effectiveness of Vitis vinifera soaks on Hemoglobin Level among Anemic Students in a Selected Colleges at Vellore

An experimental study was conducted to assess the effectiveness of vitis vinifera soak on hemoglobin level among anemic students in selected colleges at Vellore. Quantitative evaluative approach was used for this study and the researcher adopted a true experimental research design. The sample was conducted among 60 anemic students in selected colleges at Vellore, in which 30 were in experimental group and 30 were in control group. The sample was selected by using Probability simple random sampling technique with lottery method. The researcher adopted Kristen M. Swanson theory as a conceptual framework. There are six different hypothesis were tested in this study. The Structured interview schedule was used to collect the demographic and clinical variable. Sahli’s hemoglobinometer was used to assess the hemoglobin level. Experimental group received intervention of vitis vinifera soak for 21 days in the morning and control group advised to follow daily routine and no intervention is given. In both groups, on 22nd day the researcher was conducted post test by using same tool. The data were analyzed using both descriptive and inferential statistics. The study revealed that the mean post test score in control group was 9.29 where as in experimental group the mean post test score was 9.82, the mean difference was 0.53. The obtained ‘t’ value was 2.24 which was statistically significant (P<0.01). These findings revealed that the students in experimental group had increased hemoglobin level after administering vitis vinifera soak compared to the control group.

Using Vignette-Based Methodology to Examine Study Recruitment in Older African American Adults: A Methods Paper.

This study's objective was to assess which caring recruitment behaviors correlate with the successful recruitment of older African-American adults-a two-step cross-sectional design employing a vignette-based survey methodology. Kristen Swanson's middle-range theory of caring was used to guide the examination of African-American adults' (65 years of age and older) perceptions of research-study-recruiter recruitment behaviors. This study's main findings are twofold: Step1: Seven of ten invited experts identified major revisions of the two core vignettes, written at an eighth-grade reading level and high school comprehension. Step 2: A 51% response rate yielded findings that this methodology successfully captured older African-American adults' perception of research study recruiters' behavioral characteristics during the recruitment process. Older African-Americans who received the hypothetical caring vignette were twice as likely to indicate their willingness to enroll in a research study with a high commitment (i.e., brain donation) compared to their counterparts who received the hypothetical uncaring recruitment scenario. Vignette-based survey methodology holds promise as a tool for informing the recruitment of older African-American adults and other minorities into federally funded health-related research studies.

Caring Behavior Coding Schemebased on Swanson's Theory of Caring - development and testing among undergraduate nursing students.

RationaleTo maintain patients’ dignity and well‐being and alleviate suffering, it is essential that healthcare providers engage in caring behaviours. Yet, every year patient boards receive an increasing number of complaints from patients and significant others regarding healthcare providers’ non‐caring behaviours. Defining and measuring both verbal and nonverbal caring and non‐caring behaviour in healthcare delivery is vital to address such complaints. However, no studies were found that incorporated a comprehensive theory of caring to code encounters between healthcare providers and patients.AimThe aim was to develop and test a Caring Behavior Coding Scheme based on Swanson’s Theory of Caring.MethodAn instrument development process was used for behavioural coding including observational data from thirty‐eight video recordings collected in an undergraduate nursing course at a Swedish University. The observational data involved interactions between undergraduate nursing students and a standardised patient.ResultThe Caring Behavior Coding Scheme (the CBCS), contains seventeen verbal and eight nonverbal behavioural codes, categorised as caring and non‐caring in accordance with Swanson’s Theory of Caring. Content and face validity were assessed. Timed‐event sequential continuous coding was performed in INTERACT software. The coder achieved excellent agreement with the developed gold standard (k = 0.87) and excellent mean inter‐rater reliability (k = 0.82). All domains in Swanson’s Theory of Caring were observed and coded in the interaction.Discussion/ConclusionThe CBCS is a theory‐based instrument that contributes to research on healthcare providers’ behavioural encounters. It uses verbal and nonverbal caring and non‐caring behavioural codes to assess the alignment of both the theory and practice of caring. The CBCS can contribute to both development and measurement of interventions focused on improving healthcare providers’ caring behaviour with the intended outcome of patient well‐being.

Quality of Nursing Worklife Based on Caring Model for Improving Nurse Performance in Hospitals

Introduction: Nurses performance is still not optimal. The aim this study was to develop a quality of nursing work life to improve nurse performance by integrating Swanson's theory of caring. Methods: An explanative observational design was used with cross-sectional approach. The sample was nurses in inpatient care, intensive care, surgical installations, neonates, hemodialysis from eight hospitals in East Java. The sample size of 430 respondents used total sampling. The variables included QNWL, individual, social and environmental, administrative factors, nurse performance. Data were collected using Nurse Quality of Communication with Patient Questionnaire (NQCPQ), Questionnaire of Personal and Organizational Values Congruence for Employee (Q-POVC), Questionnaire of Brooks & Anderson's quality of nursing work life. The data analysis used Partial Least Square. Results: Twenty-five indicators were declared valid (outer loading value> 0.5) with variable diversity was 24.43%, so that internal, social and environmental, operational and administrative factors affect the performance of nurses directly or indirectly through caring based on QNWL. Predictive relevance value was >0, which indicates that the model was good enough. The individual factors (p= 0.043; T-Statistics= 2.040), social and environment factors (p= 0.025; T= 2.242), administrative factors (p= 0.001; T= 3.438) have significant influence QNWL based on caring and QNWL based on caring had a significant influence on nurse performance (p= 0.000; T= 4.997). Conclusion: The development of the QNWL model based on caring has good effect in improving nurse performance. From the developed model, nurse performance related to individual factors, social and environmental factors, administrative factors.

Proactive Recruitment of Older African-Americans for Alzheimer's Research with Brain Donation: a Cohort Case Study of Success.

Older African-American adults are under-recruited for Alzheimer's-related research that includes brain donation. This article describes the Minority Aging Research Study's brain donation challenges, processes, and successful procurement with older African-American adults (65years and older). The recruitment and retention strategy of the Minority Aging Research Study Brain Gifting Program was developed in accordance with Peplau's theory of interpersonal relationship and Swanson's middle-range theory of caring. At the time of this submission, approximately 345 of 755 older African-American adults in the Minority Aging Research Study consented to brain donation to be completed at the time of death. Furthermore, the Minority Aging Research Study has had 33 successful brain donations with family amenability. Tailored caring behaviors are effective to achieve high donation rates with older African-American adults who have consented to brain donation within an Alzheimer Research Study. Changes in funding policy are needed to meet tailored active recruitment that is required to close the gaps in older African-American adults' participation in Alzheimer's-related research studies.