Katharine Kolcaba’s The Comfort Theory By: Cynthia Roadcap & Stephanie Findley

Katharine Kolcaba’s Journey History: born in Cleveland, Ohio in 1944 1965 graduated from St. Luke's Hospital School of Nursing 1987 graduated from Frances Payne Bolton School of Nursing at Case Western Reserve University (Texas Women’s University, 2014) http://www.quoteslovers.com/category/success/

Journey Continued… History: 1997, earned her Ph.D. in Nursing 1997, received Certification of Authority as a Clinical Nursing Specialist Currently an associate professor of nursing at the University of Akron College of Nursing Published Comfort Theory and Practice: a Vision for Holistic Health Care and Research (Texas Women’s University, 2014) (Current Nursing, 2011) http://broadcastingschools.com/resources/degrees-in-broadcasting

Kolcaba’s Specialization Gerontology End of Life and Long Term Care Interventions Comfort Studies, Palliative and Hospice Nursing Holistic Nursing/Complimentary Therapies Symptom Management Instrument Development Nursing Theory & Nursing Research (Texas Women’s University, 2014) http://libguides.twu.edu/content.php?pid=387632&sid=3179470

Specialization Continued.. HIV/AIDS Mental Health Nursing Oncology Nursing & Malignancies Pediatric Nursing Skilled Nursing with Extended Care & Rehab Nursing Spiritual Care (Texas Women’s University, 2014) http://drlj.me/2012/11/11/the-human-touch/

The Comfort Theory Development Place comfort in the forefront of healthcare: Addressed: Relief Ease Transcendence (Texas Women’s University, 2014) (Current Nursing, 2011) http://www.thecomfortline.com/ http://www.thejournal.ie/palliative-end-of-life-care-1571196-Jul2014/

Background Reflected in women with third stage breast cancer Women undergoing radiation & chemotherapies Then inspired to enhancing the comfort of patients: experiencing urinary incontinence approaching end of life (Texas Women’s University, 2014) (Current Nursing, 2011) http://libguides.twu.edu/content.php?pid=387632&sid=3179470

The Comfort Theory Development Analysis conducted & Literature examined from: Nursing Medicine Psychology Psychiatry Ergonomics English (Texas Women’s University, 2014) (Current Nursing, 2011) http://www.thecomfortline.com/

Measurement of Theory Developed taxonomic structure: Guide for Assessment Measurement Evaluation of Patient Comfort (Current Nursing, 2011) http://www.innovationservices.philips.com/service-catalog/competences/industrialization-production-technologies/quality-measurement-vision-manufacturing

Holistic Human Experience Needs must be meet by the four contexts: Physical Psychospiritual Sociocultural Environmental (Kolcaba, 2010) http://metrics.net/blog/2012/02/holistic-medicine-call-center-customer-experience/

The Comfort Theory How it relates to me: Critical Care: End of Life Care Procedures Benefits of Theory: Bring Comfort to the Forefront of Nursing Care Higher Patient & Family Satisfaction Overall Better Nursing to Patient Care http://www.stna.net/ways-to-show-appreciation-to-nursing-assistants

Comfort Theory Conceptual Framework http://comfortcareinnursing.blogspot.com/p/comfort-theory-major-concepts.html

Comfort Theory Details Focus is on patients holistic comfort and wellbeing Concepts revolve around Nursing Patient Environment Health (Kolcaba, 2010)

Types of Comfort Comfort exists in three forms: Relief – when a specific comfort is met Ease – state of calm or satisfaction Transcendence – when the patient can rise above the pain that they are experiencing (Kolcaba, 2010)

Where Does Comfort Occur? Physical Psychospiritual Sociocultural Environmental (Kolcaba, 2010)

Taxonomic Structure of Comfort http://kolcabanewnurseeducation.weebly.com/case-study-chronic-pain.html

Example of Taxonomic Structure http://midrangeborrowedtheory.weebly.com/theory-application-to-nursing-practice-comfort-theory.html

Nurses Responsibilities Provide comfort to patient and family Create and maintain interventions to meet comfort relief Provide a caring and soothing environment (Kolcaba, 2010)

Outcomes of Providing Comfort Patients will seek medical care if they are given a good prior experience Satisfaction leads to better outcomes during treatment They will tell their friends, word of mouth goes a long way (Kolcaba, 2010)

Comfort Theory How the comfort theory relates to me: Comfort is essential during moderate sedation and vascular procedures If a patient has a bad experience they will not seek care from my facility Number one goal is to provide the patient and any family with a comfortable and relaxing environment to help with healing and recovery. (Kolcaba, 2010)

References: Current Nursing (2011). Nursing theories a companion to nursing Theories and models. Retrieved from http://currentnursing.com/nursing_theory/comfort_theory _Kathy_Kolcaba.html Kolcaba, K. (2010). An introduction to comfort theory. In the comfort line. Retrieved from http://www.thecomfortline.com/ Nursing Theory (2013). Kolcaba's Theory of Comfort. Retrieved f rom http://nursing-theory.org/theories-and-models/kolcaba-theory- of-comfort.php Texas Women’s University (2014). Nursing theorists. Retrieved from http://libguides.twu.edu/content.php?pid=387632&sid= 3179470