Lavka_JeanWatsonsTheoryofHumanCaringinResearch

Jean Watson’s Theory of Human Caring in ResearchHeidi LavkaThe University of Texas at ArlingtonExploration of Science and Theories in NursingNURS 5327Dr. Maxine AdegbolaNovember 23, 2019Jean Watson’s Theory of Human Caring in ResearchUnderstanding Jean Watson’s Theory of Human Caring is important in fostering a health care environment that is centered on caring, trust, compassion, and transpersonal relationships. The implications for understanding and applying this theory can improve patient outcomes, facilitate a caring work and health care environment, and increase patient satisfaction with their care. The following studies illustrate the use of Watson’s Theory of Human Caring and its effects on patient care and its effects on nurse relationships.Research Study 1: Implications for Patient CareAkturk and Erci (2019) understood Watson’s theory and proposed that implementing it would decrease depression, anxiety, and stress in patients who have undergone a medical abortion. They understood that nurses focused on the objective aspects of care but often neglected to consider the psychosocial aspects of care that can be a consequence of a medically necessary abortion. Additionally, they recognized that in these cases, it was the patient and their families that had experienced loss.The researchers reached out to Dr. Jean Watson, who provided them with an in-person class that better prepared them to design their caring model (Akturk & Erci, 2019). They further reviewed all ten of Watson’s Carative Processes and defined specific nursing approach guidelines that addressed each of ten carative processes. Finally, education on the proposed caring model was provided to home care nurses and it was implemented as an intervention to decrease depression, anxiety, and stress in patients who had undergone a medical abortion. Akturk and Erci (2019) state that “Watson’s model involves sharing essential values through establishing trust and relationship, health promotion, disease prevention and coping with loss, placing importance on the holistic and alternative support approaches, autonomy of individuals, free will, scientific problem-solving, and spiritual well-being” (p. 127). They believed that providing care based on this definition would yield positive patient outcomes. Their nurses provide care that was congruent with the intervention model and Watson’s theory and the study showed that patients who are provided care based on Watson’s theory had a decrease in their levels of depression, anxiety, and stress (Akturk & Erci, 2019).Research Study 2: Implications for Nursing ManagementWatson’s Theory of Human Caring has implications in workplace relationships, not just in the nurse-patient relationship. Previous studies highlighted positive nurse to nurse manager relationships improved the overall well-being of the healthcare team. The purpose of the study was to evaluate the relationship between nurses, their managers, and perceived exposure to workplace bullying (Olender, 2017). The theoretical framework for this study was Watson’s Theory of Human Caring (Olender, 2017). The survey was conducted using a descriptive correlational design that utilized both the Caring Factor Survey-Caring of the Manager and the Negative Acts Questionnaire-Revised (Olender, 2017). The Caring Factor Survey-Caring of the Manager is a tool that was created and validated to measure Watson’s ten carative processes. The study found that implementing a caring leadership model, based on Watson’s Theory of Human Caring, led to a positive relationship between nurses and their managers (Olender, 2017). This positive, caring relationship led to less perception of being bullied, better mentoring, and the establishment of trust amongst the healthcare team. Further, it has improved communication and decreased negative behaviors, which all support Watson’s Theory of Human Caring. ConclusionAs nurses in today’s healthcare environment, it is imperative to understand caring and its reciprocal effects on relationships. Research has shown that the use of Jean Watson’s Theory of Human Caring can positively impact the relationships between nurses and their patients and nurses and their peers. Building positive relationships with patients, peers, and nursing administrators leads to caring, healing environments.ReferencesAkturk, U., & Erci, B. (2019). The effect of Watson’s care model on anxiety, depression, and stress in Turkish women. Nursing Science Quarterly, 32(2), 127-134. https://doi.org/10.1177/0894318419826257Olender, L. (2017, October). The relationship between and factors influencing staff nurses’ perceptions of nurse manager caring and exposure to workplace bullying in multiple healthcare settings. The Journal of Nursing Administration, 47(10), 501-507. https://doi.org/10.1097/NNA.0000000000000522