Theory-Practice Gap, Expert Essay Example

Theory-Practice Gap

Healthcare professionals are responsible for translating theoretical knowledge into evidence-based practice. Nursing theories represent knowledge developed by systematic processes to improve practice. In the same breath, nurses rely massively upon research to test the applicability of nursing research. Once researchers appraise the credibility of nursing theories, they utilize recommendations from the theoretical knowledge to inform practice. Therefore, it is valid to contend that nursing practice justifies theories and research (McKenna et al., 2014). However, there are incidents where the studied nursing theory does not sufficiently inform practice or clinical decisions. Such incidents culminate in the theory-practice gap, which prompts comprehensive research on the topic of concern. Therefore, this paper discusses the relationship between theory, research, and practice guidelines, using Jean Watson’s Human Caring Theory and practice guidelines for post-operative care to identify the theory-practice gap. Also, it determines the best course of action for making decisions without one aspect.

The Selected Theory, Research, and Practice Guidelines

The chosen theory for this assessment is Jean Watson’s Human Caring theory which emphasizes the ten principles of care (carative factors), including humanistic-altruistic systems of values, enabling faith-hop, cultivation of sensitivity to the self and others, developing helping-trusting relationships, expression of positive and negative feelings, and creative problem-solving processes. Also, it encompasses the tenets of transpersonal teaching-learning, supportive mental, social, and spiritual environment, human needs assistance, and existential-phenomenological-spiritual forces (Durgun Ozan & Okumuş, 2017). The selected research involved quantitative and qualitative studies that explored the applicability of Watson’s theory in different clinical settings. Finally, the chosen practice guidelines entailed the provision of postoperative care. According to Laprade & Chachla (2021), postoperative care management involves pain control, medication administration, thromboprophylaxis, and mechanical prophylaxis. These activities require healthcare professionals to translate theoretical knowledge to practice.

The Relationship Between Theory, Research, and Practice

Nursing theories, research, and practice are interrelated and inseparable concepts that form the basis of nursing science. According to McKenna et al. (2014), theories provide knowledge developed by systematic processes, while research evaluates theories’ applicability. On the other hand, nursing practice is a product of rigorous research activities that justify the plausibility of integrating theories in different contexts. The three aspects significantly improve postoperative care by operating as the prerequisites for evidence-based practice. For example, healthcare professionals providing postoperative care should utilize theories as the primary sources of information and conduct research to appraise these theories. Finally, they should integrate recommendations into practice to ensure patient safety, improve medication outcomes, and fasten recovery.

Theory-Practice Gap

Although Watson’s Human Caring theory provides the ten tenets of care, it primarily emphasizes care’s spiritual, social, and psychological domains. In this sense, it tends to overlook the biophysical aspect of care, which entails pain management, early mobilization, and pharmacological interventions like thromboprophylaxis. Therefore, there is a gap in research because the current scientific studies do not associate the theory with improved postoperative care. Therefore, it is valid to argue that overemphasizing spiritual and social aspects of care can improve how patients cope with postoperative pain. However, there is inadequate research on how the theory informs the biophysical aspect of pain management and the overall postoperative care interventions.

Best Course of Actions for Making Decisions

Watson’s Human Caring theory undeniably influences operations in different care settings by providing the ten tenets of spiritual, humanistic, and social care. However, its tendency to overlook the biophysical aspect of care renders it deficient in information on various activities of postoperative care, such as early mobilization and pharmacological pain control interventions. Therefore, healthcare professionals in this setting can integrate other theories into practice while conducting further research to explore the likelihood of utilizing Watson’s theory in postoperative care. Future research should explore the association between this theory and variables like postoperative pain management, infection prevention, and early mobilization.

References

Durgun Ozan, Y., & Okumuş, H. (2017). Effects of nursing care based on Watson’s theory of human caring on anxiety, distress, and coping, when infertility treatment fails: A randomized controlled trial. Journal of Caring Sciences, 6(2), 95–109. https://doi.org/10.15171/jcs.2017.010

Laprade, R. F., & Chahla, J. (2021). Evidence-based management of complex knee injuries: Restoring the anatomy to achieve best outcomes (1st ed.). Elsevier.

Mckenna, H. P., Majda Pankhihar, & Murphy, F. (2014). Fundamentals of nursing models, theories and practice (2nd ed.). Wiley Blackwell.