Nursing Theoretical Frameworks Essay
In contemporary nursing science, there are numerous theoretical frameworks of various types, each describing a unique approach to caregiving. However, it is essential to notice that the development of nursing theory took a relatively long way, and it comprised many scientists’ contribution (Butts & Rich, 2015). Each scientist contributed to the advancement of the nursing science by formulating his or her conceptualizations of caregiving core concepts, including health, patient, care, and environment (Chism, 2017). The primary purpose of this paper is to discuss Joyce Travelbee’s human-to-human relationship model and its importance. This study is structured by four subdivisions, which represent the stages of research: theorizing, syntax, theory testing, and evaluation.Nursing Theoretical Frameworks Essay
Theorizing
Brief Biography and the Importance of Contribution
First of all, it is important to describe the path which Joyce Travelbee has taken to create and develop her theory. During her nursing practice and education, she developed premises for the implementation of her theoretical framework. Her clinical experience was combined with her religious background, which influenced her unique perception of the relations between nurse and patient (Staal, 2015). When she became a professor of nursing, she incorporated her philosophy, which was influenced by Peplau’s theory, into the teaching methods, encouraging students to learn not only from the textbooks but also from the interaction with patients (Staal, 2015; Hagerty, 2015). Thus she created her human-to-human relationship model, a middle-range theory which later provided a basis for the patient-centered care framework (Mohammed et al., 2016). Nursing Theoretical Frameworks Essay
The ultimate goal, which was set by Travelbee, was helping patients to find hope, motivation, and meaning while experiencing the illness. The central idea was the concept of nursing intervention. The application of human-to-human relationship model comprises five phases: observation, interpretation, decision-making, action (the stage of nursing intervention), and appraisal, which included evaluation of the nurse-patient interrelations. According to Travelbee, “caring … involves the dynamic, reciprocal, interpersonal connection between the nurse and patient”, and thus through the process of communication, both parties understand their value and uniqueness (Staal, 2015, p. 76).
Syntax
For the second stage of the study, it is essential to elaborate on the terminology, which is the fundamental part of any theoretical framework. First of all, one of the principal characteristics is the notion of the patient. In Travelbee’s model, the term “patient” is not used since the scientist perceived this word as a mere label for a particular category of people (Staal, 2015). On the contrary, Travelbee argued that every ill person is a unique individual who is in need of nurse’s guidance through the experience of illness. It is possible to notice that the scientist transcended the traditional notions of patient and nurse to prevent dehumanization.Nursing Theoretical Frameworks Essay
Also, it is important to mention other significant concepts of the theory. The ideas of hope and trust were perceived as fundamental for the communication between nurse and patient. After establishing trusting relationships with the caregiver, an ill person was able to retrieve the meaning from his or her illness experience. Another important notion is the rapport, which was described by Travelbee as the process which comprises empathy, compassion, respect, mutual interest, and non-judgemental attitude (Staal, 2015). Nursing Theoretical Frameworks Essay
