Case Study
The clinical nurse practice situation that I was faced with was unique and it was the first time I was faced with such a scenario. Patient JB was admitted to JH Hospital complaining of severe chest pain. The patient was mute and was only able to communicate with sign language. I do not have a good mastery of sign language, but I had to attend to him at the ward. Fortunately, the hospital uses a sign language monitor where a translator is employed when communicating with such patients. The technology is called an automatic animated sign language generation system where a patient can easily communicate with the healthcare providers using signs. I considered this best nursing practice because it enables healthcare providers to communicate with their mute patients through a technology-based system. The practice eliminated cases of misunderstanding between mute patients and their healthcare providers.
Self-Transcendence Theory
Self-Transcendence Theory was developed by Pamela Reed to help explain the experience of spirituality and the process of viewing oneself as an integral part of the universe (Fulton, Lyon, & Goudreau, 2014). This theory is particularly relevant to the clinical experience stated above as discussed in the sections below.
Theorist’s key concepts which relate to your case study
According to Rixon (2014), this theory is based on three concepts of self-transcendence, well-being, and vulnerability which are very critical in nursing experience in this case study. The concept of self-transcendence primarily focuses on interpersonal, intrapersonal, transpersonal, and temporal factors. These factors largely depend on one’s ability to communicate effectively with people within the immediate environment. JB was a mute patient who could only communicate with sign language. Not all the medical staff handling this patient had a good mastery of the sign language. The use of technology to enhance communication was therefore, of critical importance.
This theory also emphasizes on the concept of well-being. The theorists argued that for one to feel the sense of wholeness in spirit, he or she must be in good state of health. In this case, JB was experiencing severe pain in the chest that was making him feel that he lacked the sense of wholeness. That is why as a team of medical experts, we were keen to ensure that he recovers from that condition. The third concept focuses on vulnerability. JB was mute, which made it difficult for her to articulately describe his feelings and pain to the medical staff. This vulnerability was successfully eliminated by the use of a sign language monitor at the hospital.
How the middle range theory provided insight to direct your delivery of care
This theory provided an important insight that directed my delivery of care. Based on the first concept of self-transcendence, I was able to understand that this patient needed to have a sense of wholeness, and this could only be possible if she was given the right medication based on the progress he was recording. The second concept of well-being enabled me to understand that although the patient was mute, the medical staff had the responsibility of ensuring that proper communication was maintained to ensure that medication was administered in the right manner. The third concept that focuses on the vulnerability of the patient helped me to understand that I have the responsibility to overcome this communication challenge and offer the best care possible to the patient.
Why the theory was chosen
I considered this theory particularly importance in this case study because of the three concepts that it puts forth and the unique condition of the patient. Being mute, there was a vulnerability of misdiagnosis because of the inability of the patient to articulately state his medical problems. The use of technology to enhance communication made it possible to overcome this challenge. The theory fits well with the case presented, and that is the reason why the researcher considered it appropriate for the study.
How the theory can be used for future practice situations
This theory can be used for future practice situations which are similar to that given in the case study. It clearly stipulates that the medical practitioners have the responsibility of finding the best ways of communicating with their patients in order to offer the best medical care. Sometimes the patient may have difficulty in communicating using words (Jamieson & Jamieson, 2013). In other cases a patient may be in a critical condition making it difficult for them to talk. However, nurses should find ways of using vital signs to determine the condition of the patient and what can be done to improve the process of recovery.
How this theory can be used to promote evidenced-based practices
This theory can be used to promote evidence-based practices. It emphasizes on the use of technology to overcome communication challenges faced by health practitioners when handling patients. Technology can also be used in other areas of practice to ensure that patients’ needs are adequately met despite the unique physical or psychological challenges they may have when seeking medical attention.
References
Fulton, J., Lyon, B., Goudreau, A. (2014). Foundations of clinical nurse specialist practice. New York: Cengage.
Jamieson, M., & Jamieson, E. (2013). Clinical nursing practices. Edinburgh: Churchill Livingstone/Elsevier.
Rixon, G. (2014). Transforming Mysticism: Adorning Pathways to Self-Transcendence. Gregorianum, 85(4), 719–734.