Katharine Kolcabas The Comfort Theory By Cynthia Roadcap

Katharine Kolcaba’s The Comfort Theory By: Cynthia Roadcap & Stephanie Findley

Katharine Kolcaba’s Journey • History: – born in Cleveland, Ohio in 1944 – 1965 graduated from St. Luke's Hospital School of Nursing – 1987 graduated from Frances Payne Bolton School of Nursing at Case Western Reserve University http: //www. quoteslovers. com/category/success/

Journey Continued… • History: – 1997, earned her Ph. D. in Nursing – 1997, received Certification of Authority as a Clinical Nursing Specialist – Currently an associate professor of nursing at the University of Akron College of Nursing – Published Comfort Theory and Practice: a Vision for Holistic Health Care and Research http: //broadcastingschools. com/resources/degrees-in-broadcasting

Kolcaba’s Specialization • • Gerontology End of Life and Long Term Care Interventions Comfort Studies, Palliative and Hospice Nursing Holistic Nursing/Complimentary Therapies Symptom Management Instrument Development Nursing Theory & Nursing Research http: //libguides. twu. edu/content. php? pid=387632&sid=3179470

Specialization Continued. . • HIV/AIDS • Mental Health Nursing • Oncology Nursing & Malignancies • Pediatric Nursing • Skilled Nursing with Extended Care & Rehab Nursing • Spiritual Care http: //drlj. me/2012/11/11/the-human-touch/

The Comfort Theory Development • Place comfort in the forefront of healthcare: Addressed: • Relief • Ease • Transcendence http: //www. thejournal. ie/palliative-end-of-life-care-1571196 -Jul 2014/

Background • Reflected in women with third stage breast cancer – Women undergoing radiation & chemotherapies • Then inspired to enhancing the comfort of patients: – experiencing urinary incontinence – approaching end of life

The Comfort Theory Development – Analysis conducted & Literature examined from: • • • Nursing Medicine Psychology Psychiatry Ergonomics English http: //www. thecomfortline. com/

Measurement of Theory • Developed taxonomic structure: • Guide for Assessment • Measurement • Evaluation of Patient Comfort http: //www. innovationservices. philips. com/servicecatalog/competences/industrialization-production-technologies/qualitymeasurement-vision-manufacturing

Holistic Human Experience • Needs must be meet by the four contexts: • • Physical Psychospiritual Sociocultural Environmental http: //metrics. net/blog/2012/02/holistic-medicine-call-center-customer-experience/

The Comfort Theory • How it relates to me: – Critical Care: • End of Life Care • Procedures http: //www. stna. net/ways-to-show-appreciation-to-nursing-assistants – Benefits of Theory: • Bring Comfort to the Forefront of Nursing Care • Higher Patient & Family Satisfaction • Overall Better Nursing to Patient Care

Comfort Theory Conceptual Framework http: //comfortcareinnursing. blogspot. com/p/comfort-theory-major-concepts. html

Comfort Theory Details • Focus is on patients holistic comfort and wellbeing • Concepts revolve around – Nursing – Patient – Environment – Health

Types of Comfort • Comfort exists in three forms: Relief – when a specific comfort is met Ease – state of calm or satisfaction Transcendence – when the patient can rise above the pain that they are experiencing

Where Does Comfort Occur? • • Physical Psychospiritual Sociocultural Environmental

Taxonomic Structure of Comfort http: //kolcabanewnurseeducation. weebly. com/case-study-chronic-pain. html

Example of Taxonomic Structure http: //midrangeborrowedtheory. weebly. com/theory-application-to-nursing-practice-comfort-theory. html

Nurses Responsibilities • Provide comfort to patient and family • Create and maintain interventions to meet comfort relief • Provide a caring and soothing environment

Outcomes of Providing Comfort • Patients will seek medical care if they are given a good prior experience • Satisfaction leads to better outcomes during treatment • They will tell their friends, word of mouth goes a long way

Comfort Theory • How the comfort theory relates to me: – Comfort is essential during moderate sedation and vascular procedures – If a patient has a bad experience they will not seek care from my facility – Number one goal is to provide the patient and any family with a comfortable and relaxing environment to help with healing and recovery.

References: Current Nursing (2011). Nursing theories a companion to nursing theories and models. Retrieved from http: //currentnursing. com/nursing_theory/comfort_theory_Kathy_Kolcab a. html Kolcaba, K. (2010). An introduction to comfort theory. In the comfort line. Retrieved from http: //www. thecomfortline. com/ Nursing Theory (2013). Kolcaba's Theory of Comfort. Retrieved from http: //nursing-theory. org/theories-and-models/kolcaba-theory-ofcomfort. php Texas Women’s University (2014). Nursing theorists. Retrieved from http: //libguides. twu. edu/content. php? pid=387632&sid= 3179470