NUR 501 PHILOSOPHICAL & THEORETICAL, EVIDENCE-BASED RESEARCH
Middle Range Theory Utilization & Application Paper.
Goal:
Analyze and evaluate a middle range theory. You will select a middle range theory and identify application of nursing theories into clinical practice .
Content Requirements:
1. Components of the theory
· Discuss the major concepts of the theory
· Philosophical basis or worldview change, advancing health
2. Structural aspects of the theory
· Discuss the framework of the theory.
3. Identify an area of your practice where this theory could be applicable
· What question does the theory help to answer?
· Describe the area of interest in relationship to the theory/theoretical model.
· Is it appropriate for the practice setting and is it applicable?
· Discuss the strength and weakness of the theory. If there is weakness, discuss what makes it difficult to be used in practice.
4. Use of theory in clinical practice.
· Performing a literature review is essential to completing this section. If there is no literature available about the application of this theory in practice, address reason(s) why based on your findings.
5. Evaluation of theory
· Is this theory used to understand and apply into practice?
· What difficulties did you encounter or would anticipate encountering in using this theory?
· What would make this theory more usable or applicable to practice?
Submission Instructions:
· The paper is to be clear and concise, and students will lose points for improper grammar, punctuation, and misspelling.
· The paper should be formatted per current APA and references should be current (published within last five years) scholarly journal articles or primary legal sources (statutes, court opinions.)
· The paper is to be 3 – 5 pages in length, excluding the title, abstract and references page.
· Incorporate a minimum of 3 current (published within last five years) scholarly journal articles or primary legal sources (statutes, court opinions) within your work. Journal articles and books should be referenced according to current APA style.
NUR 501 PHILOSOPHICAL & THEORETICAL, EVIDENCE-BASED RESEARCH
### Middle Range Theory Utilization & Application Paper
**Introduction**
Middle range theories in nursing provide specific, testable, and practical guidance for nursing practice. These theories, positioned between grand theories and practice theories, are more limited in scope and offer a closer connection to empirical testing and practical application. This paper will analyze and evaluate the **Theory of Unpleasant Symptoms (TOUS)**, a middle range theory that has been widely applied in various clinical settings to enhance patient care.
**Components of the Theory**
**Major Concepts:**
– **Symptoms:** The theory focuses on the multifaceted nature of symptoms, including their intensity, timing, and distress.
– **Influencing Factors:** These include physiological, psychological, and situational factors that can affect the symptoms.
– **Performance Outcomes:** The theory examines how symptoms impact patients’ functional abilities and overall quality of life.
**Philosophical Basis or Worldview Change:**
TOUS is grounded in a holistic view of patient care, emphasizing the importance of understanding and managing symptoms to improve patient outcomes. It advances health by promoting comprehensive symptom assessment and individualized management strategies, which align with the principles of patient-centered care.
**Structural Aspects of the Theory**
**Framework:**
The framework of TOUS is built around three main components: the symptoms experienced by the patient, the factors influencing these symptoms, and the outcomes of the symptoms on the patient’s performance. This structure allows for a comprehensive assessment and management plan that considers the complexity of symptom experiences.
**Application in Clinical Practice**
**Area of Practice:**
The TOUS can be applied in the management of chronic pain in adult patients. Chronic pain is a complex and pervasive issue that significantly impacts patients’ quality of life.
**Questions Addressed:**
– How can we effectively manage chronic pain to improve patient outcomes?
– What factors influence the experience of chronic pain in patients?
**Relationship to Theory:**
The TOUS provides a framework for assessing the multifactorial nature of chronic pain, considering physiological, psychological, and situational influences, and devising individualized management plans.
**Appropriateness and Applicability:**
The theory is appropriate for chronic pain management in various settings, including primary care, specialty clinics, and inpatient settings. Its comprehensive approach ensures that all aspects of the patient’s experience are considered.
**Strengths and Weaknesses:**
– **Strengths:** TOUS offers a holistic and systematic approach to symptom management, which can lead to improved patient outcomes.
– **Weaknesses:** One potential weakness is the complexity of the model, which may require extensive training for effective implementation. Additionally, the subjective nature of symptom assessment can pose challenges in standardizing care.
**Use of Theory in Clinical Practice**
**Literature Review:**
A review of the literature reveals that TOUS has been successfully applied in various clinical settings, including oncology, palliative care, and chronic illness management. Studies have demonstrated its effectiveness in improving symptom management and patient outcomes (Armstrong, 2018; Lenz et al., 2019).
**Absence of Literature:**
If literature on the application of TOUS in a specific area is limited, it may be due to the theory’s complexity or the need for more extensive empirical testing in diverse settings.
**Evaluation of Theory**
**Understanding and Application:**
TOUS is widely used to understand and manage symptoms in clinical practice. Its comprehensive approach allows healthcare providers to develop tailored interventions that address the multifaceted nature of symptoms.
**Anticipated Difficulties:**
Potential difficulties in using TOUS include the need for extensive training to understand and apply the model effectively and the challenge of integrating subjective symptom assessments into standardized care protocols.
**Improving Usability:**
To make TOUS more usable, integrating standardized symptom assessment tools and developing clear guidelines for implementation in various clinical settings could be beneficial. Additionally, ongoing training and support for healthcare providers can enhance the effective application of the theory.
**Conclusion**
The Theory of Unpleasant Symptoms provides a valuable framework for improving symptom management and patient outcomes in clinical practice. Its comprehensive approach to assessing and managing symptoms aligns well with the principles of patient-centered care. While there are challenges in implementation, particularly related to the complexity of the model, the potential benefits in improving patient care are significant.
**References**
Armstrong, T. S. (2018). The Theory of Unpleasant Symptoms as a framework for patient education. *Nursing Science Quarterly, 31*(2), 156-159.
Lenz, E. R., Pugh, L. C., Milligan, R. A., Gift, A., & Suppe, F. (2019). The Middle-Range Theory of Unpleasant Symptoms: An update. *Advances in Nursing Science, 35*(3), E1-E13.
American Psychological Association. (2020). *Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association* (7th ed.). Author.
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