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

2. 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)

3. 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)

4. 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)

5. 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)

6. The Comfort Theory Development
Place comfort in the forefront of healthcare:
Addressed:
Relief
Ease
Transcendence
(Texas Women’s University, 2014)
(Current Nursing, 2011)

7. 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)

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

9. Measurement of Theory Developed taxonomic structure:
Guide for Assessment
Measurement
Evaluation of Patient Comfort
(Current Nursing, 2011)

10. Holistic Human Experience
Needs must be meet by the four contexts:
Physical
Psychospiritual
Sociocultural
Environmental
(Kolcaba, 2010)

11. 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

12. Comfort Theory Conceptual Framework

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

14. 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)

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

16. Taxonomic Structure of Comfort

17. Example of Taxonomic Structure

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

19. 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)

20. 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)

21. References:
Current Nursing (2011). Nursing theories a companion to nursing Theories and models. Retrieved from _Kathy_Kolcaba.html Kolcaba, K. (2010). An introduction to comfort theory. In the comfort line. Retrieved from Nursing Theory (2013). Kolcaba's Theory of Comfort. Retrieved f rom of-comfort.php Texas Women’s University (2014). Nursing theorists. Retrieved from