Concept Map

Running head: JEAN WATSON'S THEORY OF HUMAN CARING 1

JEAN WATSON'S THEORY OF HUMAN CARING 10

Jean Watson's Theory of Human Caring-Concept Analysis

Raven Jinks

Chamberlain University

Jean Watson's Theory of Human Caring

Concept analysis in nursing enables the process of identification and differentiation of the traits of nursing theories. In particular, caring is one of the most crucial aspects of nursing as it emphasizes the need for recognizing that humans, unlike inanimate objects, have needs going beyond medication. Therefore, their recovery is dependent not only on medical procedures and prescriptions they receive. A combination of interpersonal and environmental factors impacts the healing process, which is a nurse’s mandate. Jean Watson’s theory of human caring underscores the importance of the mind, body, and soul in medical treatment. She explains that the uniqueness of every individual requires these three elements to be taken into account every time care is administered. This paper will apply Watson’s theory to address the concept of caring in nursing by defining it, reviewing scholarly-based and concept-related literature, discussing the antecedents and consequences, and providing empirical referents.

Definition and Explanation of Jean Watson’s Theory of Human Caring

Caring in nursing is considered value-based as it is significantly dependent on the ethical and moral principles of the caregiver, which makes it a personal process. It is the provision of services and resources meant to guarantee the well-being of an individual. According to Watson, everything in the universe is connected, and for nurses to deliver the best possible care, they must ensure that they have a spiritual bond with their patients (Brewer & Watson, 2015). Such relationship between the two will propagate the healing process, hence enhancing patient’s satisfaction and the nurse’s productivity. Watson came up with ten carative factors that enable the application of her theory in a clinical setting to promote self-discovery and awareness for both healthcare providers and patients.

Literature Review

Multiple studies have been conducted to explore the feasibility of Watson’s theory in nursing. For example, the article “Effects of Nursing Care Based on Watson’s Theory of Human Caring on Anxiety, Distress, And Coping, When Infertility Treatment Fails: A Randomized Controlled Trial” by Durgun Y and Okumus H. focuses on the effectiveness of the caring process after the failure of infertility treatments. Botched infertility treatments can result in social, individual, and familial problems, and the type of care these individuals receive will dictate how they will cope with it. Therefore, Watson’s theory of human caring was applied to this study, and the results showed that the level of stress and anxiety in the intervention group had significantly decreased compared to the control group (Durgun Ozan & Okumuş, 2017). In addition, the coping level of the former group had increased, suggesting that Watson’s theory was effective in providing nurses with guidance on how to help women cope with their loss.

Another article on the topic is “The Concept of Watson’s Carative Factors in Nursing and Their (Dis) Harmony with Patient Satisfaction,” which shows the relationship between patient satisfaction and nursing education, as well as the perception nurses have regarding Watson’s carative process. A quantitative approach was used for this research, and the findings had revealed that out of the ten carative factors, differences in patient satisfaction and the perception of their caregivers exemplified seven of them (Pajnkihar, Štiglic & Vrbnjak, 2017). In addition, the level of nursing education had an impact on healthcare providers sensibility of Watson’s carative factors.

The article “Science of Human Caring” focuses on the disconnection witnessed between the performance of assigned duties and the concept of caring in nursing. Most healthcare providers find it difficult to balance their professional responsibilities towards the patients and their need for comfort and safety. Therefore, to ensure that nurses refocused their efforts on providing appropriate care to their patients, the carative factors of Watson’s theory were applied (Foss-Durant, 2014). According to Foss-Durant (2014), value-based care can only be provided if healthcare providers recognize the need to bond spiritually with their patients.

The paper “The Moral Construct of Caring in Nursing as Communicative Action the Theory and Practice of a Caring Science” by Sumner J. and Fisher, W, focuses on the moral aspect of Jean Watson’s theory. According to the authors, caring in nursing requires an interpersonal connection between the caregiver and the patient (Summer & Fisher, 2008). This approach speeds up the process of healing since it focuses on both the physical and psychological wellbeing of the receiver of healthcare services. This connection is formed since many verbal and non-verbal communicative tools are applied when providing care to a person (Sumner & Fisher, 2008). The satisfaction that patients experience when receiving such care offers validation to the nurse, which elevates his or her feeling of self-worth. By offering care another individual, healthcare providers also offer care themselves, which means that the healing process is not limited to the patient alone.

The aim of the article “A Case Study Based on Watson's Theory of Human Caring: Being an Infertile Woman in Turkey” by Özkan, Okumuş, Buldukoğlu & Watson, was to find out if a theory-based approach was suitable for structuring a care routine for infertile women. The results had showed that the participant expressed feelings of confidence, strength, and secureness regarding this approach (Özkan, Okumuş, Buldukoğlu & Watson, 2013). Additionally, the nurse’s care abilities were improved, which was the desired outcome according to Watson’s theory.

Brewer & Watson in “Evaluation of Authentic Human Caring Professional Practices” used the Watson Caritas Patient Service (WCPS) to measure the perception of patients towards their caregivers’ effectiveness. According to them, a direct correlation exists between the scores of the WCPS and the degree in which the nurses delivered care to their patients (Brewer & Watson, 2015). Care should have elements of good communication, trustworthiness, authenticity, and a human connection.

Defining Attributes

The defining traits presented in the determination of the existence of a particular concept are known as attributes. A lot of characteristics can be found under Watson’s theory, and they include; intersubjectivity, authenticity, and use of self (Favero, Pagliuca & Lacerda, 2013). Intersubjectivity is the connection that two human beings make regarding a particular concept, which is the core attribute of caring (Favero, Pagliuca & Lacerda, 2013). Without the presence of this characteristic, the reciprocation of care between the two will be absent, hence slowing the healing process. Authenticity promotes a relationship of trust between the nurse and the patient when the latter is feeling vulnerable and weak. The use of self, coupled with other attributes recognizes healthcare receivers’ needs and assists in the provision of appropriate care.

Antecedent and Consequence

Antecedents in the caring process are necessary to facilitate the healing process, and thus nurses need to understand and internalize this concept. Examples of antecedents include commitment to providing care, willingness, understanding of the mind-body-sprit model, unity, trustworthiness, and support (Favero, Pagliuca & Lacerda, 2013). They lead to the development of the bond between nurses and their patients. The consequences include self-awareness, self-growth, harmony, recovery, self-control, and reorganization for both parties involved.

Empirical Referents

The availability of a concept is measured by empirical referents. The first referent that can be used to measure caring in nursing is the Watson Caritas Patient Score (WCPS). It is applied to determine the level of patient satisfaction regarding the care they receive (Brewer & Watson, 2015). This referent uses five out of the ten carative factors to determine occurrences of trust, authenticity, kindness, and the facilitation of an environment that promotes the healing process. The second referent is the Caring Factor Survey (CFS) that measures the perceptions of care from nurses who exhibit a loving and kind disposition towards their patients (DiNapoli, Nelson, Turkel & Watson, 2010). The CFS acknowledges that a spiritual bond between the two parties is connected to the practices of self-care and love.

Cases

Model Case

A Jane Doe is brought into the emergency room with signs of a concussion and possible internal bleeding since she has been involved in a motor accident. The patient seems scared and lost since she cannot remember anything even her name, which suggests the presence of retrograde amnesia. Nurse R. informs the authorities of this development, and knowing how frightening it might be for the patient to be unaware of her surroundings and who she is, the healthcare provider makes it a mission to make her feel as comfortable as possible while her friends and families having a busy schedule. This form of human to human bond between them makes the patient relax and internalize what has happened (Durgun Ozan & Okumuş, 2017). Such an environment could be effective in helping the patient recognize who she is.

Borderline Case

Patient L complains of a severe migraine but she has been waiting for over an hour, and no healthcare provider has attended to her. When she decides to inquire, the nurse on duty tells her in a polite manner that she will soon be seen as the doctors are inspecting other patients. She waits for another thirty minutes before someone attends to her, and the nurse makes no attempt to further reassure her. The nurse may have offered some semblance of care but made no further attempt to help patient L or inquire how she was feeling.

Contrary Case

Nurse H is attending a cancer patient while listening to music using her earphones, which means the communication with the patient is cut off. According to her, as long as she is providing the patient with primary care, further interaction is not necessary. However, failure to engage with the patient leaves him feeling scared and vulnerable since he has no one to share his fears with or to reassure them (Sumner & Fisher, 2008). Verbal and non-verbal communication is a crucial aspect of caring, and Nurse H has failed to practice it.

Theoretical Applications of the Concept

The primary purpose of a concept analysis is to generate new ideas. It is an excellent way of researching the attributes needed to construct a theoretical framework. Therefore, a concept analysis is an antecedent of a theory. The framework of Watson’s theory is based on the idea of human caring (Brewer & Watson, 2015). Thus, the concept of caring under this theory transcends physical aspects and focuses on a spiritual connection between healthcare providers and their patients.

Conclusion

Jean Watson’s theory of human caring acknowledges that the establishment of a connection between a nurse and her patient requires the presence of a combination of interpersonal and environmental factors. Caring is a value-based practice, meaning that one makes a choice depending on one’s beliefs and morals, which is central to effective nursing. The outcome of the care proposed by the ten Caritas factors is meant to heal both the patient and the nurse. Literature reviews related the concept of caring, confirm that the incorporation of the Watson theory in the clinical setting produces positive results and enhances feelings of confidence while reducing those of stress and anxiety in patients. Some of the attributes associated with this nursing theory include authenticity, use of self, and intersubjectivity, which are made possible by some of the following antecedents: unity, understanding, willingness, and commitment. Some of the empirical referents used to measure the perception of patients towards the care they receive from nurses are the Watson Caritas Patient Score (WCPS) and Caring Factor Survey (CFS) tools. Overall, the Watson theory of human caring has been proven to be effective in improving nursing care programs, that affect the healing process.

References

Brewer, B., & Watson, J. (2015). Evaluation of authentic human caring professional practices. JONA: The Journal of Nursing Administration, 45(12), 622-627. doi: 10.1097/nna.0000000000000275

DiNapoli, P., Nelson, J., Turkel, M., & Watson, J. (2010). Measuring the Caritas processes: Caring factor survey. Watson caring Science.org. Retrieved from https://www.watsoncaringscience.org/files/PDF/Final%20PDF%20of%20IAHC%20article_CFS%202010.Vol14.Iss3.pdf

Durgun Ozan, Y., & Okumuş, H. (2017). Effects of nursing care based on Watson’s theory of human caring on anxiety, distress, and coping, when infertility treatment fails: A randomized controlled trial. Journal of Caring Sciences, 6(2), 95-109. doi: 10.15171/jcs.2017.010

Favero, L., Pagliuca, L., & Lacerda, M. (2013). Transpersonal caring in nursing: An analysis grounded in a conceptual model. Research Gate. Retrieved from https://www.researchgate.net/publication/237070220_Transpersonal_caring_in_nursing_an_analysis_grounded_in_a_conceptual_model

Foss-Durant, A. (2014). Science of human caring. Global Advances in Health and Medicine, 3(1_suppl), gahmj.2014.BPA0. doi: 10.7453/gahmj.2014.bpa09

Pajnkihar, M., Štiglic, G., & Vrbnjak, D. (2017). The concept of Watson’s carative factors in nursing and their (dis)harmony with patient satisfaction. Peerj, 5, e2940. doi: 10.7717/peerj.2940

Sumner, J., & Fisher, W. (2008). The Moral construct of caring in nursing as communicative action. Advances in Nursing Science, 31(4), E19-E36. doi: 10.1097/01.ans.0000341418.88715.c9

Özkan, İ., Okumuş, H., Buldukoğlu, K., & Watson, J. (2013). A case study based on Watson’s theory of human caring. Nursing Science Quarterly, 26(4), 352-359. doi: 10.1177/0894318413500346