The theory of comfort is such a vital part of nursing that it can be used on a daily basis in the area of the medical/surgical unit. This paper will take the reader back to the development of the theory of comfort by Katherine Kolcaba. It will then show the reader how the theory of comfort reaches the person, environment, health, and nursing on the medical/surgical unit.
History
The comfort theory was developed in the 1990s by a nurse with her PhD known as Katharine Kolcaba. (March & McCormack, 2009, p. 76) It is a holistic theory that was founded on the holist of the whole person. (Kolcaba R. , 1997, p. 294) It is a middle range theory because it can be adapted to such a wide range of experiences and as well as practices and is strong enough to be tested and proved. (Kolcaba K. , Evolution of the Mid Range Theory of Comfort for Outcomes Research, 2001, p. 86) The comfort theory was built on Nightingale’s foundation of “environmental principles of providing care (Selanders, 1998)” (Krinsky, Murillo, & Johnson, 2014, p. 147) “The state of comfort implies an absence of conditions that defeat it, such as worry, pain, grief, trouble, suffering, and so on” (Kolcaba & Kolcaba, An analysis of the concept of comfort, 1991, p. 1302). The theory of comfort has …show more content…
(Fawcett, 1996, p.95)” (March & McCormack, 2009) According to Kolcaba, (2001), “The theory states that, in stressful health care situations, unmet needs of comfort are met by nurses.” (p.86) Nurses are at the center of the theory of comfort. Comfort is addressed by grouping together actions so that rest is not interrupted. Nurses also assess the person and then intervene as needed. Nurses then reassess to analyze the response to the actions given. These interventions can be medication or meeting a personal need. Reassessing addresses the relief met or unmet by the
History
The comfort theory was developed in the 1990s by a nurse with her PhD known as Katharine Kolcaba. (March & McCormack, 2009, p. 76) It is a holistic theory that was founded on the holist of the whole person. (Kolcaba R. , 1997, p. 294) It is a middle range theory because it can be adapted to such a wide range of experiences and as well as practices and is strong enough to be tested and proved. (Kolcaba K. , Evolution of the Mid Range Theory of Comfort for Outcomes Research, 2001, p. 86) The comfort theory was built on Nightingale’s foundation of “environmental principles of providing care (Selanders, 1998)” (Krinsky, Murillo, & Johnson, 2014, p. 147) “The state of comfort implies an absence of conditions that defeat it, such as worry, pain, grief, trouble, suffering, and so on” (Kolcaba & Kolcaba, An analysis of the concept of comfort, 1991, p. 1302). The theory of comfort has …show more content…
(Fawcett, 1996, p.95)” (March & McCormack, 2009) According to Kolcaba, (2001), “The theory states that, in stressful health care situations, unmet needs of comfort are met by nurses.” (p.86) Nurses are at the center of the theory of comfort. Comfort is addressed by grouping together actions so that rest is not interrupted. Nurses also assess the person and then intervene as needed. Nurses then reassess to analyze the response to the actions given. These interventions can be medication or meeting a personal need. Reassessing addresses the relief met or unmet by the