Jean Watson's Theory Of Human Caring Is A Conceptual Thread ✓ Solved

Jean Watsons Theory Of Human Caring Is A Conceptual Thread

Jean Watson’s Theory of Human Caring is a conceptual thread in the USU College of Nursing’s curriculum framework. The purpose of this assignment is to offer students the opportunity to be exposed to Human Caring Science while providing students with the skills of critical appraisal of evidence. Students will select one nursing research article that focuses on a study that used Jean Watson’s Theory of Human Caring as a theoretical framework. The critiques are to be informal, although correct grammar, spelling, etc., are expected.

The critique should include a brief description of the study that was reviewed and should address elements of the study relevant to critique. Students will provide a written critique on a critical appraisal of the elements relevant to the nature of the research study such as type of study, design, quality of the study; and rationale, as well as implications for practice and further research and/or evaluation.

Expectations Length: 4-5 pages (including title and reference pages) Format: Formal paper in APA 6th ed format Citations: If used (not required) cite references according to APA 6th ed.

Paper For Above Instructions

Jean Watson's Theory of Human Caring, developed in the 1970s, remains a vital aspect in nursing education and practice. This assignment provides a critical appraisal opportunity, as it emphasizes the importance of caring in patient care and nursing practices. Jean Watson’s approach is not merely about performing tasks, but it's about connecting with patients on a deeper level, understanding their emotional and spiritual needs, and fostering a healing environment.

For this analysis, the selected research article is "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" by Durgun Ozan, Y., & Okumus, H. (2017). This article focuses on the application of Watson's theoretical framework within a specific clinical setting—infertility treatment—and provides valuable insights into the efficacy of nursing care grounded in holistic, patient-centered approaches.

Study Overview

The study conducted by Durgun Ozan and Okumus involves a randomized controlled trial aimed at evaluating the impact of nursing care founded on Watson’s Theory of Human Caring on patients undergoing infertility treatments. The researchers hypothesized that applying Watson's caring framework would reduce anxiety and distress among these patients while improving their coping mechanisms in response to treatment challenges.

The study design utilized a pre-test and post-test methodology, where participants were evaluated before and after the intervention to measure changes in anxiety levels, distress, and coping strategies. This design is effective for measuring the direct impact of the intervention on the participants since it captures data at two distinct points in time.

Elements of the Study

The first element worth critiquing is the study type. This research is a quantitative, randomized controlled trial, which is considered a gold standard in research design due to its rigor in establishing cause-and-effect relationships. The randomization of the participant sample reduces biases and enhances the reliability of the results (Melnyk & Fineout-Overholt, 2019).

Next, the study design is critically important. The researchers implemented a sound methodological approach by utilizing structured scales for measuring anxiety and coping, which adds to the credibility of the research findings. The use of established instruments allows the study to benefit from proven measures, thus enhancing reliability and validity.

Assessing the quality of the study, several points emerge. The researchers articulated clear research questions and objectives grounded in Watson’s theoretical framework. One issue, however, is the relatively small sample size, which could limit the generalizability of the findings. A larger sample would strengthen the research and provide more robust data (Polit & Beck, 2017).

Rationale for the Study

The rationale for this study is clearly presented. The authors discuss the emotional burden of infertility and how it can lead to significant psychological distress. They argue that applying a caring-based nursing approach could enhance the overall patient experience and outcomes. This aligns well with Watson’s theory, which stresses the importance of the nurse-patient relationship and the impact of caring on healing processes (Watson, 2008).

Implications for Practice

The implications for nursing practice emerging from this research are substantial. By demonstrating that caring interventions significantly reduce anxiety and improve coping mechanisms among infertility patients, the study provides a compelling argument for integrating Watson's Theory of Human Caring into nursing practice. This suggests a need for nursing curricula to incorporate these tenets actively to prepare future nurses to engage empathetically and effectively with patients (Cunningham, 2016).

Moreover, fostering an environment of care that promotes emotional and psychological well-being can lead to better health outcomes for patients, especially in sensitive areas like infertility treatments. This ultimately positions nurses not only as providers of care but as essential players in the emotional healing journey of their patients.

Further Research

While this study provides significant insights, it also opens the door for further research. Future studies could explore the long-term effects of Watson’s caring approach across different clinical settings or among patients with various health conditions. Additionally, qualitative approaches could be employed to gain deeper insight into patient experiences and perceptions of care (Ben Natan et al., 2018).

In summary, Watson's Theory of Human Caring offers a robust framework for enhancing nursing practice, particularly in emotionally charged environments like infertility treatment. The reviewed study validates its principles through empirical evidence, underscoring the need for nurse educators and practitioners to ensure that the essence of caring remains at the core of nursing practice.

References

• Ben Natan, M., Mahajna, M., & Mahajna, A. (2018). The role of inner strength in the experience of patients undergoing treatment for infertility: A qualitative study. Journal of Clinical Nursing, 27(3-4), e673-e679.
• Cunningham, H. (2016). Caring through compassion: The role of heuristic research in improving patient care. Nursing Science Quarterly, 29(1), 9-13.
• Durgun Ozan, Y., & Okumus, H. (2017). 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. Journal of Caring Sciences, 6(2), 95-109.
• Melnyk, B. M., & Fineout-Overholt, E. (2019). Evidence-Based Practice in Nursing & Healthcare: A Guide to Best Practice (4th ed.). Wolters Kluwer.
• Polit, D. F., & Beck, C. T. (2017). Nursing Research: Generating and Assessing Evidence for Nursing Practice (10th ed.). Wolters Kluwer.
• Rossillao, K. (2018). Caritas education: Theory to practice...2018 National Teaching Institute research abstracts presented at the AACN National Teaching Institute, Boston, Massachusetts, May 21-24, 2018. American Journal of Critical Care, 27(3), e 14 - e15.
• Watson, J. (2008). Nursing: The Philosophy and Science of Caring. University Press of Colorado.
• Ben Natan, M., & Mahajna, M. (2019). The effect of the nurse's emotional intelligence on patients' satisfaction: An analysis of the mediation role of the therapeutic nurse-patient relationship. International Journal of Nursing Studies, 92, 102-108.
• Patient-Centered Care: What It Is and Why It Matters (2021). Retrieved from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8264025/
• Cutcliffe, J. R., & Mitford, C. (2018). The importance of caring in nursing: A systematic review. Nursing Inquiry, 25(1), e12231.