Application of Theory to Practice, Article Review Example

Summary

Analysis of the UCSF Symptom Management Theory: Implications for Pediatric Oncology Nursing by Lauri Linder discusses the necessity of symptom management research for both children and adults. System Management Theory (SMT) is a deductive middle range theory that conveys management of any disease as multidimensional. The research model is based upon research that was conducted on adult patients, but is proposed that the results are applicable to children as well. The researcher proposed that outside factors can affect the outcome of medical conditions in both children and adults.  According to Linder, “The SMT is emerging as a useful framework for research involving children with cancer and their families (Linder, ) She goes on to convey that understanding the different aspects of symptom management may lead to other interventions that are testable ( Linder, ) Children with diseases such as cancer were asked to chart their degree of pain after SMT. The children used tools such as, the Poker Chip Tool, Preschool Body Outline, Adolescent Pediatric Pain Tool, Dot Matrix, and Pediatric Pain Coping Inventory. Self-report scales were also used with adult patients who were administered SMT. SMT is a theory that attempts to address practical concerns that are due to a chronic illness (Liehr, 2005). The assumption of SMT is that if other symptoms brought on by the chronic disorder are eradicated, the outcome of the disease itself will be favorable for the patient (Liehr, 2005).

Value of Theory

SMT is beneficial to the field of nursing because many patients are emotionally overwhelmed when they receive a diagnosis of cancer or other life threatening disease. With the knowledge of SMT, nurses are able to give their patient’s alternate methods to help stabilize them mentally. For a long time, medical conditions were thought to only affect the person’s physical body, but in recent years studies have proven that physical sicknesses also affect a person’s mental health as well. One study conducted by Boon, Olatunde, & Zick found that nearly 80 percent of women who were diagnosed with breast cancer reported some form of complimentary holistic support such as SMT ( Boon, Olatunde, & Zick, 2007). They add that any treatment management strategy that also focuses on the physiological distress of patients is 36 percent more effective than a medical approach alone ( Boon, Olatunde, & Zick, 2007).Of  the women who participated in the study, all were receiving either chemotherapy, radiation, or had received a mastectomy in conjunction with a form of SMT. The most widely used alternative was the  Bowenwork Intervention. This intervention was a combination of counseling sessions in combination with an exercise regimen. Patients were required to attend a certain percentage of sessions and complete exercise tasks at home. Successfulness of the intervention was measured through the quality of life and perceived pain levels reported by the patients. The baseline of pain dropped 17.9 percent according to reporting of patients pre and post intervention. Likewise, Holman and Lorig said “SMT programs my yield greater benefits in terms of emotional well-being”( Holman & Lorig, 2004 ).

Example

Many researchers agree that music is great way to stabilize a person’s mood. One patient that I encountered who was battling breast cancer is a great example of using music to alleviate pain. She constantly complained of the degree of pain she was in each time she came for her chemotherapy treatments. She had really given up and was literally dying before my eyes. Her daughter, who at the time was studying to be a psychologist, suggested music therapy to her mom. I noticed that the patient came for her treatments with an iPod and ear buds. She listened to music prior to taking the treatment, during the treatment, and after. After seeing this for several weeks, I finally asked her what she was listening to. She explained to me that her daughter had downloaded some music for her to listen to during her treatment. However, there were certain types of music she had to listen to prior, during, and after. She reported that she was in much less pain now that she was listening to music. I believe any form of SMT is effective because it alters the emotional state of mind of the patient. In the nursing field, I have noticed that patients who have a winning attitude and are determined to beat a disease usually do. However, those that give up and are overwhelmed, usually loose the battle.

References

Boon, H. S., Olatunde, F., & Zick, S. M. (2007). Trends in complementary/alternative medicine use by breast cancer survivors: comparing survey data from 1998 and 2005. BMC Women’s Health7, 4. doi: 1472-6874-7-4 [pii]10.1186/1472-6874-7-4

Holman, H. and Lorig, K (2004). Patient self-management: A key to effectiveness and efficiency in care of chronic disease. Public Health Reporter 119(1)  239-243.

Liehr, P. (2005). Looking at symptoms with a middle-range theory lens. Advanced Studies in Nursing, 3(5), 152-157.

Linder, L. (2010). Analysis of the ucsf symptom management theory: Implications for pediatric oncology nursing. Journal of Pediatric Oncology  Nursing. 27(6) 316-324