According to Smith (2008), uncertainty theory proposes that uncertainty exists in situations that are ambiguous, hard to predict, and when information is not accessible. The purpose of this paper is to discuss Merle H. Mishel’s uncertainty theory, factors that can potentially influence uncertainty, uncertainty and its potential influence on the patient, and uncertainty theory’s relevance in nursing.
According to Smith (2008), Mishel defined uncertainty as the inability to determine the meaning of illness-related events, occurring when the decision maker is unable to assign definite value to objects or events, or is unable to predict outcomes accurately. According to Fitzpatrick and Norbeck (1997), Mishel’s first theory was developed to address uncertainty of an illness during diagnosis (uncertainty theory), while the second was developed to evaluate circumstances of someone living with continuous uncertainty (uncertainty theory re-conceptualized). For …show more content…
This author believes that there must be components of clinical practice that can be modified to manage uncertainty. According Smith and Leihr (2008), healthcare providers, who are seen as credible, have been proposed to reduce uncertainty by providing information and promoting confidence in their expertise. According to Fitzpatrick and Norbeck (1997), nurses are included in uncertainty theory as being able to influence uncertainty by providing information to reduce ambiguity. This author believes that nurses influence patient care. This author further believes that patient care has many variables that can be adjusted to influence a patient’s perception of uncertainty. As experts, health care providers have been suggested to influence uncertainty by providing information and establishing confidence in their clinical judgment (Fitzpatrick and Norbeck,
According to Smith (2008), Mishel defined uncertainty as the inability to determine the meaning of illness-related events, occurring when the decision maker is unable to assign definite value to objects or events, or is unable to predict outcomes accurately. According to Fitzpatrick and Norbeck (1997), Mishel’s first theory was developed to address uncertainty of an illness during diagnosis (uncertainty theory), while the second was developed to evaluate circumstances of someone living with continuous uncertainty (uncertainty theory re-conceptualized). For …show more content…
This author believes that there must be components of clinical practice that can be modified to manage uncertainty. According Smith and Leihr (2008), healthcare providers, who are seen as credible, have been proposed to reduce uncertainty by providing information and promoting confidence in their expertise. According to Fitzpatrick and Norbeck (1997), nurses are included in uncertainty theory as being able to influence uncertainty by providing information to reduce ambiguity. This author believes that nurses influence patient care. This author further believes that patient care has many variables that can be adjusted to influence a patient’s perception of uncertainty. As experts, health care providers have been suggested to influence uncertainty by providing information and establishing confidence in their clinical judgment (Fitzpatrick and Norbeck,