Kolcaba’s Theory of Comfort By: Marcie Montgomery

Kolcaba’s Theory of Comfort Concept Forms: Relief Ease Transcendence

Metaparadigm Concepts Health Nurse Environment Individual/Person

Health Health begins with freedom from illness and is achieved completely when body, mind and soul function is optimal. It is dynamic; variations can depend on an individual’s lifestyle, environment, mental status or genetics. Health is at the core of a person’s life and directly affects other aspects of life. Health means to holistically experience peace and comfort.

Nurse Nursing: The ability and desire to competently provide holistically based care, to every patient, every time. This consists of continual assessment and implementation of interventions that address patient needs and provide comfort.

Environment The surrounding atmosphere is an environment. It is created by tangible and intangible items. The environment can affect health; environment greatly influences moods, conversations, behaviors, as well as physical exposures, all of which carry great impact on a patient's well-being. Provide a comfortable setting i.e. consider noise, lighting, positioning, visitors etc. Environmental care certainly has to be probed and considered when formulating care plans.

Individual/Person Each individual is unique. We have different beliefs, behaviors, and ideas. Individual characteristics change; they can be learned via exposure to certain situations, genetics, and cultural beliefs etc. The competent nurse will put aside personal prejudices and treat the patient according to what best facilitates comfort for that patient.

Conclusion …..“Holistic comfort is defined as the immediate experience of being strengthened through having the needs for relief, ease, and transcendence met in four contexts of experience (physical, psychospiritual, social, and environmental)”. (Kolcaba, 2010)

Works Cited Kolcaba, K. (2010). An introduction to comfort theory. In The comfort line. Retrieved November 10, 2010, from http://www.thecomfortline.com/ Kolbaca's theory of comfort. (2013). Retrieved from http://www.nursing- theory.org/theories-and-models/kolcaba-theory-of-comfort.phpe World health organization, WHO the definition of nursing. (2003). Retrieved from http://www.who.int/about/definition/en/print.html