Introduction
A nurse’s ability to care for others is essential to the practice of caregiving. Patients, healthcare agents, and administrators all agree that improving the quality of care quality a top priority. Patients, nurses, and healthcare facilities all benefit from receiving high-quality nursing care. One of the most important aspects of providing effective care is recognizing and honoring the inherent humanity in providing that care. A key tenet of Watson’s theory is that “Nursing is concerned with promoting health, preventing illness, caring for the sick, and restoring health” (Gonzalo, 2023). Its main goals are illness prevention and treatment. Therefore, caring is essential in nursing and has a greater impact on health than any treatment could. This paper followed the provisions of Jean Watson’s Theory of Human Caring as the theoretical framework with the help of Walker and Avant’s eight-step approach. The paper also offers detailed purposes of the analysis, uses of the concept with detailed definitions, and its uses in all possible disciplines. It also described the defining attributes of the concept, a model case, a similar case, an opposite case, antecedents and consequences, and empirical methods used to measure the concept.
Purpose of the Analysis
For nurses, care is the be-all and end-all of the nursing as a profession. The human element of nursing care is essential for providing optimal patient outcomes. Humane caregiving is associated with increased nurse accountability, stronger nurse-patient bonds, and more compassionate care (Busch et al., 2019). According to Busch et al. (2019), the idea of caring is multifaceted and open to a variety of interpretations. The notion of caring is clouded by ambiguity, and the proliferation of competing definitions has only served to further confuse and mislead. This study of care aims to clarify and develop the concept of caring, as well as give a precise definition for it, by examining the objective and subjective value of care in the context of the healthcare system.
Uses of the Concept
Caring is a term that may refer to many distinct concepts for many different people. For example, “feeling or showing concern for or kindness to others” is how the dictionary defines “caring” for the notion of caring (Merriam-Webster, Incorporated. (n.d., para. 1). Careful, vigilant monitoring, upkeep, supervision, desirous or esteemed respect, and a sense of interest, care, and duty sum up the term. It might also include exploring patients’ requirements and constraints. In contrast, “caring” is defined as “caution, prudence, and serious attention or consideration applied to do something correctly” by the Oxford Learner’s Dictionaries (Oxford Learner’s Dictionaries, n.d.). Caring also includes showing attention or worry, developing feelings of compassion or fondness for someone or something, and giving them the things they need to thrive. As such, caring is an interaction between the patient and the nurse in which the patient is in control of healing and the nurse assists the patient during the healing process.
Varied disciplines have diverse definitions of caring, which might lead to confusion. In moral psychology discipline, caring is a conversation in which both parties are prepared to commit to and carry out an action for the benefit of a significant other (Bartos, 2019). In the discipline of medical science, when medical professionals use their knowledge, resources, and compassion to improve the health of patients and communities, they are exemplifying the notion of care. In ethos, for nurses to provide care that is both ethical and supported by evidence, knowledge grounded in caring is necessary (Ericksson, 2018). In the discipline of psychology research, caring is shown via a genuine interest in the welfare of another person (De Kock et al., 2021). Since it encompasses human beings, the notion of caring in social life explains caring as a process in which prominent values precede all other metrics in a holistic connection (Ericksson, 2018). Humans are not objects; they are inextricably intertwined with their selves, with one another, with the natural world, and with the universe at large.
Attributes of the Concept
Central to any concept analysis is the process of defining the attributes of the concept. Attributes are a set of traits that have a strong association with a given knowledge. They best describe the concept, aid researchers in distinguishing a notion from comparable theories, and provide the analyst with a profound understanding (Walker & Avant, 2018). There is more than one attribute of the caring concept in nursing. Therefore, it is important to establish which attribute best characterizes the concept of caring (Walker & Avant, 2018). Caring is described by a variety of behaviors, the most prevalent of which include engaging in therapeutic dialogue, demonstrating empathy for the patient, and holistic care.
Communication is used to describe the act of sharing ideas and information among individuals. Therapeutic communication, on the other hand, goes beyond simple conversation. It requires a focus on human principles and confidence (Brittain & Carrington, 2019). In this regard, patients experience more psychological and social comfort, while also fostering greater compassion and understanding on the part of staff members (Brittain & Carrington, 2019). Consequently, therapeutic communication necessitates the use of proper dialogue etiquette, attentive listening, building rapport with patients and their loved ones, respecting cultural differences, showing empathy, and adapting treatment plans accordingly.
Empathetic is the ability to put oneself in another person’s capacity emotionally and mentally. There are mental and emotional components to empathy that constitute an attribute of the caring concept. One of the pillars of caring is the ability to sympathize with another person’s experience (Ferliana et al., 2020). To empathize with others, one must be there mentally, emotionally, and physically. This comes out in the nurse’s actions and facial expressions, which in turn encourages the patient to respond in kind.
The application of the nurse’s scientific expertise to holistic patient care is an integral part of providing compassionate care. The role of the nurse is to provide care to patients by addressing their needs, easing their suffering, giving them agency, and assessing the results using a combination of scientific knowledge and ethical principles. One of the fundamental rights of every person is to have access to the greatest medical treatment available to them, regardless of their background in terms of ethnicity, religion, politics, economics, or social standing. One of the cornerstones of patient rights and ethical treatment is educating patients on their rights and safeguarding their confidentiality within the bounds of the law.
A Model Case
Presenting a model case of the subject at hand is an integral part of any concept study. An idealized illustration of a topic is one that vividly displays all its identifying characteristics (Walker & Avant, 2018). Mr. Z, a 65-year-old man with a history of peptic ulcer illness, has been in the cancer care unit for 3 days now with early stages of cancer. Ms. N., the chief nurse, welcomed Mr. Z warmly upon his admittance, introduced herself, and even wrote her name on the board beside Mr. Z’s bed. The nurse then requested Mr. Z talk with her, and it was during this conversation that he revealed his anxiety over the upcoming endoscopy to determine the size of his gastrointestinal tumor. The nurse looked the patient in the eye as she described endoscopy and gave him reading materials for additional study. The nurse set him up a Zoom call to his far-away son to help ease his feelings of isolation. The patient expressed his gratitude by saying “thank you” to the nurse.
The nurse in this case was paying attention and picking up on the patient’s anxieties. She made an effort to connect with the patient, listened attentively and empathically to develop rapport, and used scientific, artistic, and creative approaches to explain endoscopy. She gave the patient the chance to get an education in the sciences to safeguard his rights. Through instruction and video chats with his son, the nurse helped the patient feel more emotionally stable.
A Similar Case
A patient in a similar case, who was previously ignorant of his disease, is an excellent example of the need for empathy in the patient-practitioner interaction. A borderline instance has many of the characteristics of the target idea but not all of them (Walker & Avant, 2018). Mrs. Y, the patient in this close instance, was anxious about the CT scan since she could not read the instructions. After introducing herself, the head nurse (Ms. A) gave the patient’s proxy notes to give to the patient. The nurse requested that the patient use the bedside alarm to summon help if she ever felt the need. The nurse sat by her side before the CT scan and reassured her that everything would be well. The patient thanked the nurse and remarked, “Your words calmed me down a lot” after the CT scan.
The nurse evaluated the situation, met the patient, and granted her wish. She was able to talk to the patient effectively and holistically. She made measures to educate the patient and remained sensitive to the fact that healthcare is inherently subjective and ever-changing. During the CT scan, she made an effort to be present, sympathetic, and on time. She made an effort to make the patient feel at ease. Her behavior, however, was devoid of creativity and artistry.
An Opposite Case
An opposite example does not fit the definition. Mr. J, a 62-year-old male, was hospitalized in the coronary care unit after he had a heart attack. The head nurse walked into the room where the patient was and welcomed the patient, but did not identify herself. The nurse began performing ECG testing on the patient without first explaining the process to them or showing them the appropriate screen. The nurse did not provide the patient with the ECG result before leaving the room. She simply linked the ECG to the patient’s file and labeled it with the patient’s name. The nurse did not demonstrate any signs of compassion. There was an absence of all forms of therapeutic communication, including empathy, scientific compassion, respect for patient privacy and patient rights, artistic and creative expression, and the promotion of a sense of well-being.
Antecedents and Consequences
Caregiving role models need a demonstrable caregiving context. The antecedents of the caring concept are the circumstances under which its emergence is possible (Walker & Avant, 2018). Human, individual, and institutional antecedents are all subsets of the broader idea of care. Caring for the patient as a person, rather than a patient, is at the heart of the humanistic approach. This perspective allows the nurse to see the whole person, including their physical, mental, emotional, social, and spiritual issues and needs (Mohammadhossini et al., 2019). Having nursing expertise and the capacity to empathize with the patient are both personal antecedents of human caring (Nielsen et al., 2023) that contribute to better care. Sufficient people and financial resources, a manageable workload, and positive role models are all factors that contribute to a caring culture in an organization. It also requires training for nurses in caring for people and fostering a culture that values high-quality care, collaboration, and education.
Consequences are results that emerge as a direct result of the idea in question. Caring in the nursing profession has several good outcomes, including higher-quality care delivery. Events like more nurses being willing to take on leadership roles in human care are other possible causes. According to Taleb (2023), positive patient-related outcomes include increased patient satisfaction, more patient autonomy, and less anxiety. In this scenario, nursing care leads to improved patient comfort, increased patient safety, and shorter hospital stays.
Empirical Methods Used to Measure the Concept
The last phase of a concept analysis is to identify the concrete examples that best represent the distinguishing characteristics. (Walker & Avant, 2018) Instrument development and concept measurement both benefit from the use of empirical referents. Here, results provide a yardstick by which to evaluate the caring notion. One may think about care via surveys like patient satisfaction surveys and staff surveys. The Humanized Care Assessment Tool (HCAT) is yet another empirical approach that might be used to quantify caregiving. It includes 114 questions assessing how frequently, on average, people’s workplaces encouraged a wide range of humanizing behaviors.
Conclusion
Clinical nursing’s primary focus is on people, and its ultimate goal is to improve the quality of care patients get. Guidelines for nursing practice, research, and education may benefit from a more nuanced understanding of the notion of human caring and the identification of its qualities, antecedents, consequences, and empirical references. Nursing managers are responsible for creating a nurturing environment by providing staff with the tools and support they need to care for patients. Nursing schools at all levels, from pre-professional to post-graduate, as well as in-service training programs, should include the notion of human care in their curriculum. Researchers suggest doing further quantitative and qualitative research on the effects of human caring on nurses. There is a need for research on accurate and reliable instruments to assess the many facets of human care.
References
Bartos, A. E. (2019). Introduction: Stretching the boundaries of care. Gender, Place & Culture, 26(6), 767-777. Web.
Busch, I. M., Moretti, F., Travaini, G., Wu, A. W., & Rimondini, M. (2019). Humanization of care: Key elements identified by patients, caregivers, and healthcare providers. A systematic review. The Patient, 12, 461-474. Web.
Brittain, A. C., & Carrington, J. M. (2019). A concept analysis of organizational health and communication. Nursing Administration Quarterly, 43(1), 68-75. Web.
De Kock, J. H., Latham, H. A., Leslie, S. J., Grindle, M., Munoz, S. A., Ellis, L., Rob, P., & O’Malley, C. M. (2021). A rapid review of the impact of COVID-19 on the mental health of healthcare workers: implications for supporting psychological well-being. BMC Public Health, 21, 1-18. Web.
Ferliana, H., Damayanti, N. A., Aisyah, D. N., Huda, N., & Ernawati, D. (2020). Determinants of family independence in caring for hebephrenic schizophrenia patients. Journal of Public Health Research, 9(2), 149-151. Web.
Gonzalo, A. (2023). Jean Watson: Theory of human caring. Nurseslabs. Web.
Merriam-Webster, Incorporated. (n.d.). Caring. Merriam-Webster. Web.
Mohammadhossini, S., Gheibizadeh, M., Saki Malehi, A., & Zarea, K. (2019). Burn patients’ need for human caring: content analysis study. Armaghane Danesh, 24, S3, 358-372. Web.
Nielsen, A. H., Kvande, M. E., & Angel, S. (2023). Humanizing and dehumanizing intensive care: Thematic synthesis (HumanIC). Journal of Advanced Nursing, 79(1), 385-401. Web.
Oxford Learner’s Dictionaries (n.d.). Caring. Web.
Talebi, R. (2023). Holistic nursing from the dossier’s theory of integral nursing lens: A narrative review study. Journal of Nursing Education, 12(1), 88-103. Web.
Walker L, Avant K. (2018). Strategies for theory construction in Nursing (6th ed). Pearson.