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Evidence suggests that patients do better when their expectations about specific benefits of nursing care are discussed and met. 1. Design a “comfort contract” whereby patients or their surrogates designate an expected level of post-surgical overall comfort, and also where they can specify chronic discomforts and interventions that they use at home for relief. Please include 400 words in your initial post with two scholarly articles no plagio more than 10% due date march 30, 2024

Paper For Above instruction

The importance of setting realistic expectations and collaborative communication between healthcare providers and patients has been increasingly recognized in improving patient outcomes. One effective method is the development of a “comfort contract,” a personalized agreement that aligns patient expectations with realistic post-surgical experiences and management strategies. This approach empowers patients, enhances satisfaction, and promotes adherence to care plans, ultimately contributing to better recovery trajectories.

A comfort contract involves multiple components. First, patients or their surrogates articulate an expected level of post-surgical overall comfort, which may include dimensions such as pain control, mobility, psychological well-being, and sleep quality. By explicitly stating these expectations, healthcare providers can better tailor interventions that meet these perceived needs. Second, the contract encourages patients to identify chronic discomforts they experience regularly and to specify the interventions they find most effective at home. For example, a patient suffering from persistent back pain may indicate that heat therapy or specific analgesics provide relief, which can then be integrated into their postoperative care plan.

Research has demonstrated that such personalized agreements improve communication, reduce anxiety, and increase patient satisfaction. According to Thiel et al. (2019), transparent discussions about postoperative expectations reduce the disparity between patient anticipation and actual recovery, leading to enhanced coping strategies and improved pain management. Furthermore, a study by Johnson and Nelson (2021) confirmed that involving patients in setting their comfort goals fosters a sense of control and encourages active participation in their recovery process. By setting clear, mutually agreed-upon expectations, healthcare teams can better manage pain, monitor for complications, and facilitate timely interventions.

Implementing a comfort contract also supports holistic care that recognizes individual preferences and chronic health conditions. It promotes a patient-centered approach, aligning with the principles of shared decision-making. When patients feel heard and their specific comfort needs are acknowledged, trust in the healthcare team increases, and adherence to prescribed strategies improves. Overall, comfort contracts represent a practical, evidence-based tool for enhancing postoperative care quality through improved communication, expectation management, and personalized intervention planning.

References

• Johnson, A., & Nelson, D. (2021). Patient-centered interventions for postoperative pain management: The role of shared decision-making. Journal of Nursing Care Quality, 36(2), 153-159.
• Thiel, F., Meyer, S., & Schmidt, H. (2019). Enhancing patient satisfaction and recovery through expectation management: A systematic review. International Journal of Nursing Studies, 94, 127-135.