Katharine Kolcaba’s Comfort Theory By Elizabeth Boeve Sabrina Carlson Elizabeth Klynstra Julie Mulder Amy Noonan Diana VanRhee

Katharine Kolcaba’s Comfort Theory The purpose of this power point is to: Describe Katharine Kolcaba’s Comfort Theory Describe how Kolcaba’s Comfort Theory can be used for Evidence Based Practice Define the MetaParadigm based on the Kolcaba’s Comfort Theory Identify Kolcaba’s Comfort Theory in the contemporary healthcare environment

The Comfort Theory and Evidence Based Practice The comfort theory is founded on evidenced based practice. Proven to provide optimal comfort nursing interventions Promote optimal health and healing in clients

MetaParadigm Concepts as Defined by Katharine Kolcaba’s Comfort Theory: Relief, Ease, and Transcendence Person: Individual, family or community that receives nursing care (March & McCormack, 2009). Physical comfort, psycho spiritual comfort, sociocultural comfort, and environmental comfort. Environment: Atmosphere around the patient which is utilized to improve patient comfort (March & McCormack, 2009). Patients- Lighting, privacy, noise, temperature, clutter.

MetaParadigm Concepts as Defined by Katharine Kolcaba’s Comfort Theory continued Health: The greatest functioning level for the patient as they describe it (March & McCormack, 2009). “When patients and their families are more comfortable, they engage more fully in health seeking behaviors” (Kolcaba, p. 539). Nursing: Process of determining the patient’s comfort needs. Establishing and achieving appropriate nursing interventions, Reassessing patient comfort needs following the interventions (March & McCormack, 2009.

Kolcaba’s Comfort Theory: In contemporary healthcare environment Locally: Everyday patient care Regionally: Hospice, substance abuse treatment Globally: Magnet Recognition Program

References Black, B.P. (2011). Professional Nursing: Concepts & Challenges (7th ed.) St. Louis, Missouri: Elsevier Novak, B., Kolcaba, K., Steiner, R. & Dowd, T. (2001). Measuring comfort in caregivers and patients during late end-of-life-care. American Journal of Hospice and Palliative Medicine, 18(3), 170-180. doi:10.1177/104990910101800308 Durr, K., Kolcaba, K., & Stoner, M.A. (n.d.). Comfort Line. Retrieved October 1, 2013 from thecomfortline.com: http://www.thecomfortline.com March, A., & McCormack, D. (2009). Nursing theory directed healthcare: Modifying Kolcaba’s comfort theory as an institution-wide approach. Holistic nursing practice, 23(2), 75-80. doi: 10.1097/HNP.0b013e3181a1105b Kolcaba, K., Tilton, C., & Drouin, C. (2006). Comfort Theory: A unifying framework to enhance the practice environment. The Journal of Nursing Administration, 36(11), 538-544. Kolcaba, K., & Wilson, L. (2002). Comfort care: a framework for perianesthesia nursing. Journal of Perianesthesia Nursing, 17(2), 102-114. Kolcaba, K. (2003). Comfort theory and practice: a vision for holistic health care and research. New York, NY 10012-3955: Springer Publishing Co., Inc. Kolcaba, K., & DiMarco, M. (2005). Comfort theory and its application to pediatric nursing. Pediatric Nursing, 31(3), 187-194. Novak, B., Kolcaba, K., Steiner, R. & Dowd, T. (2001). Measuring comfort in caregivers and patients during late end-of-life-care. American Journal of Hospice and Palliative Medicine, 18(3), 170-180. doi:10.1177/104990910101800308