This book places comfort at the forefront of nursing care, by presenting a carefully researched theory of comfort that nurses can use as a framework for practice. Engagingly written, the book combines a first-person account of the development of the theory with supporting research, and practical information for its application. Kolcaba analyzes the concept of comfort; describes its physical, psychospiritual, environmental and sociocultural components; evaluates its meaning in the many different contexts in which health care occurs; and describes how it can be measured. The appendix includes comfort care questionnaires that can be used with patients in many settings, and a comfort scale that can be used with patients for a quick assessment of comfort. Clinicians, researchers, educators, and students will find this holistic approach helpful in setting priorities and parameters for patient care.

About the Author

Katharine Kolcaba, PhD, RN, C, is an Associate Professor at The University of Akron College of Nursing, where she enjoys teaching Comfort Care at different student levels. In addition to teaching theory, she also specializes in gerontology, research, and community health. She is the coordinator of her local Parish Nurse program, and provided leadership in developing the college's Nursing Care of Older Adults course, which won first place in a national competition sponsored by the Association of American Colleges of Nursing and the Hartford Foundation for Gerontological Excellence. Kolcaba has published extensively on the patient outcome of holistic comfort, including an award-winning Web site called The Comfort Line.

Reviews
"I am most excited and impressed with the scope and focus of this work. As I began to read it, I had trouble putting it down. It is highly readable, engaging, all-inclusive, and most informative." Jean Watson, RN, PhD, HNC, FAAN "I am honored and delighted to recommend this text for all nurses who cared for and care about patients." from the Foreword by May Wykle, RN, PhD, FAAN"



Book Information
ISBN 9780826116338
Author Katharine Kolcaba
Format Paperback
Page Count 288
Imprint Springer Publishing Co Inc
Publisher Springer Publishing Co Inc
Weight(grams) 386g