Topic > Caring for health and well-being in Jean Watson's theory

IndexPriority problemsClinical judgments for ineffective management of asthmaInterventions for asthma managementClinical judgments for weight problemsInterventions for weight problemsClinical judgment for the expression of feelingsInterventions for the expression of feelingsOutcome evaluations Nursing theorist Jean Watson emphasizes the importance of caring to promote health and well-being and also to prevent disease Human Caring Theory. For Watson it was essential to care for the whole person and form a transpersonal caring relationship with patients. According to his theory, care can be demonstrated in its ten carative factors or in the translated carative factors called caritas processes. In the situation with the 10-year-old Hispanic boy with asthma, Watson would approach the situation with a holistic perspective, doing his best to form a transpersonal caring relationship with him while also applying his carative factors. To form a transpersonal caring relationship with him, Watson would sit with the patient and his parents and go beyond the traditional objective assessment by showing concern for the patient's deeper meaning about his health situation (Cara, 2003). Waston believes that in forming this transpersonal relationship, the nurse "seeks to recognize, accurately locate, and connect with the inner condition of another's spirit through genuine presence and being centered in the moment of care" (Watson, "Theory of Human Caring") .Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned"? Get an Original EssayPriority IssuesThe patient is a 10-year-old overweight Hispanic boy with reduced exercise tolerance at recess due to increased asthma exacerbations. This had led to an increase in visits to the PNP at school for the use of inhalers. Three priority issues for assessment and care planning include ineffective management of asthma, weight problems, and the child's feelings about asthma, weight, and any other concerns. For all three priority issues, Caritas processes 1, 3, 4 and 9 will be applied. These Caritas processes lead to an in-depth assessment of all its issues. According to his theory, process 1 of caritas refers to “the practice of loving-kindness and equanimity for oneself and others” (Watson, 2007, p. 131). As a nurse, it is essential to show kindness, listen and show genuine concern towards the patient. Caritas process 3 concerns the “cultivation of one's own spiritual practices; deepen self-awareness” (Watson, 2007, p. 131). This increased self-awareness and sensitivity makes the nurse better able to know the patient's concerns. Caritas process 4 refers to “the development and maintenance of a relationship of help-trust and authentic care” by the nurse with the patient and his family (Watson, 2007, p. 131). This relationship allows the patient and their family to feel more comfortable and confident in telling their concerns to the nurse. Finally, Caritas process 9 refers to the nurse “assisting in the gratification of basic human needs, preserving human dignity and integrity” (Watson, 2007, p. 134). Based on Watson's hierarchy of needs, the problem of ineffective management of asthma is given priority, weight problems second, and finally his feelings about asthma and weight. These caritas processes provide an effective way to initiate and conduct an assessment to learn more about your problems and toform a transpersonal relationship with him. Clinical Judgments for Ineffective Asthma Management It is clear that it is important to discover the cause of the patient's increased exacerbations. For the specific problem of ineffective asthma management, Caritas processes 6 and 7 will be applied to obtain more information. Caritas process 6 consists in the nurse “creatively using self-presence and all ways of knowing… as part of the care process” (Watson, 2007, p. 131). This results in the nurse using everything such as knowledge, instinct, intuition and skill to assess the patient and help him manage his asthma. Caritas Process 7 refers to “engaging in authentic teaching-learning experiences that address the whole person” (Watson, 2007, p. 131). This Caritas process promotes the opportunity for the nurse and patient to learn from each other. The patient and their family can explain their concerns about increased exacerbations, then the nurse can use that information in conjunction with a formal assessment to understand what to teach the patient to ensure they know how to effectively control their asthma symptoms. The goal is to improve the patient's asthma control. Interventions for asthma management By applying Watson's caritas processes 1,3,4, 6, 7 and 9, a thorough assessment is performed. First, the patient and his family are asked to explain their concerns while the nurse listens carefully and shows genuine concern. Then, the patient's asthma control is assessed using the Asthma Check Chart which examines asthma symptoms and lung function. Next, any asthma triggers are identified. All of his asthma medications are also identified. Your technique for administering the medications is then evaluated to ensure that you are administering the medications correctly. Then, your adherence to the prescribed treatment regimen is assessed. After the evaluation, the patient is educated on how to avoid the identified triggers and the importance of adhering to the treatment regimen. The dose of the inhaled corticosteroid is also increased based on the evaluation. A follow-up appointment is scheduled in a month to reassess your asthma control. The worsening of your asthma may be due to your weight, which leads to the next priority issue. Clinical Judgments for Weight Concerns Similar to the first issue relating to asthma management, Caritas processes 6 and 7 will be applied to the issue relating to your weight. Caritas process 6 involves using all means of knowledge to care for the patient and studies will be examined on this topic. It has been shown that overweight people are at greater risk of pathologies. Results from a meta-analysis of asthmatic children and adolescents showed that obese children compared to non-obese peers had a small but significant increased risk of asthma exacerbations (Ahmadizar et al, 2016). The authors of another study concluded that overweight and obese asthmatic adults who lose weight experience a high rate of symptomatic remission and significant improvements in asthma control (Juel, Ali, Nilas, & Ulrik, 2012). In addition to the effects on asthma, being overweight increases the risk of developing type 2 diabetes. By applying Caritas process 7, it will be important to learn from the patient about his eating habits and his willingness to lose weight and educate the patient and his family on the importance of losing health to improve their health. The goal is for the patient and family to verbalize understanding of the benefits,.