Family nursing utilizes many concepts and is ingrained in numerous Nursing Theories. One of the most important concepts is the perspective of recognizing the strengths of the family, which are believed to be in the ability to cope with stress, time spent together, positive communication, spiritual well-being, appreciation and affection, and commitment. Interestingly, this perspective can be successfully applied in family psychotherapy or family psychotherapy counseling. In my practice, I widely use the concept of family-centered care and family nursing, especially in cases where it is necessary to work with the psychological problems of the family.
Equally important, some theories are inextricably linked to the concept of family nursing, since their implementation in practice may include the need to provide support to the patient4 from family members. Interestingly, Kolcaba’s theory of comfort views comfort as “the immediate desired outcome of patient care” (“Kolcaba’s Theory of Comfort,” 2021, par. 3). This theory implies the existence of three forms of comfort, which are possible in the context of four dimensions.
The three forms of comfort are relief, ease, and transiency, which can be achieved, for example, by meeting the patient’s special needs, administering pain relievers after surgery, and allowing the patient to rise above their problems. The four contexts, according to the theory, are sociocultural, environmental, psychospiritual, and physical. It is noteworthy that the concepts of the described theory and the broader concepts and approaches characteristic of family nursing significantly help me in my daily practice, especially when caring for critically ill patients, including cancer patients and patients with Alzheimer’s disease. I also implement the approach of family-centered therapy in most cases, since the family can become an important and stable base on which the patient will recover.
Reference
Kolcaba’s Theory of Comfort. (2021). Web.