Theory Analysis - Watson's Theory of Human Care Research Paper

Theory Analysis - Watson's Theory of Human Care - Research Paper Example History The Watson’s Theory of Human Care had started taking its form through the evolution of philosophies of Dr. Jean Watson. In 1979 she gave the concept of 10 carative factors of nursing. Since then her theories have undergone several changes, though the salient framework of the theories have remained consistent. The factors mentioned above were based on philosophy, science and the art of caring. Later the concept developed into the idea of clinical caritas meaning the cherishing and appreciating the job and mixed love with the idea of nursing. The concepts were reviewed by the author from time to time in 1985 and again in 1988. She also emphasized on the development of interpersonal help and trust and relationship of care. In 1999 Watson developed the Transpersonal Caring Relation. In this theory she highlighted the potential of the connection that the nurse can establish to care and heal the patient. She also speaks of the subjective concern of the nurse for the patient (Cara, n.d.; Alligood, Marriner-Tomey, 2006, 103-104). Meaning Watson in his Theory of Human Care has emphasized on the connection of the nurse with the patient to build a relationship based on care. For a nurse, she has emphasized on a few qualities like the inclination of the nurse to acknowledge the importance of the patient, the capacity of the nurse to establish a spiritual connection with the patient so that she can feel an union with her patient and to give her patient a comfort to so that his inner healing is promoted. The theory is based on the love and compassion of the nurse. However she has pointed that in the healing process the primary agent is the patient himself and the nurse is a copartner. She has emphasized on a number of factors for the healing of the patient. They are the humane and the altruistic values, the faith and hope of oneself, sensitiveness to others as well as oneself, a relation based on help and trust, free expression of positive and negative emotion s, a creativity to solve the problems in the caring process, transpersonal gains through mutual teaching and learning. The other factors that she has outlines are a social and spiritual environment that supports and protects the patient’s ability to heal the physical and mental state. The factors are based on spiritual as well as existentialist and phenomenological powers (Watson, 1999, p 73 – 75; Butts, Rich, 2010, p 286-287). Use Watson gives an outline of the ethics and morale associated with learning. According to Cara (n.d.) the profession of nursing is slowly losing its goal of caring for the patients and Watson’s theory tries to reinstate that fact. Moreover she emphasizes on the powers of the soul of the patient to help in the healing process and gives a direction to the nurses assist the patient in this process of healing. In this way Watson gives subjectivity to the profession on nursing based on caring that can be applied by all the nurses (Alligood, & Marriner-Tomey, 2006, 103-114; Cara, n.d.). Logical Adequacy In the theory Watson outlines the discipline of nursing based on philosophy. Here the subjective choices of the nurse and the ontological capabilities are of extreme importance. Watson does not denounce the capability of medicines or doctors for the healing of the patient. However she emphasizes the role a nurse can play to help the process. Therefore Watson’s theory of Human Care cannot be refuted based on logical derivations. Generalizabilty Watson’