Kolcaba’s Theory of Comfort NURS 324 By: Michelle Sabo, Mariah Wallace & Candace Walma

Kolcaba’s Theory of Comfort The theory was first developed in the 1990’s and allows the comfort status of patients to be at the front lines of nursing care. Katharine Kolcaba was a diploma prepared nurse who continued her education and earned her doctorate in nursing in 1997. Kolcaba specialized in many aspects of nursing She is currently the Associate Professor of Nursing at the University of Akron College of nursing.

Kolcaba’s Theory of Comfort Kolcaba’s Theory of Comfort consists of three forms: Comfort Relief Ease Transcendence The Comfort Theory aids in optimal patient outcomes

How the Kolcaba Theory Is Improving Health Care Locally- Physician's office, health care facilities, individualized care plans Regionally-Community/financial situations in region Globally-Organizations: ex/ Red cross.

Kolcaba’s Theory of Comfort Metaparadigm Concepts as Defined in 1 Person 2 Environment 3 Health 4 Nursing Reference: (Dowd, 2010)

Evidence Based Practice In Relation to The Comfort Theory Assessments : Holistic approach of “comfort existing in three forms: relief, ease, and transcendence” (Kolcaba's theory of comfort , n.d.). Theory of Comfort uses evidence based practice to promote optimistic and safe patient outcomes. A patient receives pain medication and experiences relief comfort The patient’s anxieties calmed and vital signs are more likely to stabilize The patient is now able to proceed with activities that promote health and healing

References Black, B.P. (2014). Professional Nursing: Concepts & Challenges St. Louis: Elsevier Saunders. Dowd, T. (2010). Katharine Kolcaba: Theory of comfort. In M. R. Alligood & A. M. Tomey (Eds.), Nursing theorists and their work (7th ed., pp. 706-721). Maryland Heights, MO: Mosby. Kolcaba’s Theory of Comfort. (2013). Retrieved from nursing-theory.org.