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Analysis of integration in nursing science and practice
1Yale School of Nursing, New Haven, CT 06536-0740, USA. robin.whittemore@yale.edu
Summary
Integration is key to healing and recovery, involving assimilation of new life experiences like illness into daily life for overall balance. This process is crucial in nursing care between illness diagnosis and subsequent healing.
Area of Science:
- Nursing Science
- Health Psychology
- Patient Recovery Studies
Background:
- Integration is a critical but often undefined aspect of patient healing and recovery.
- Understanding integration is vital for effective nursing care and improving health outcomes.
- Previous research has not fully elucidated the universal aspects of integration in health contexts.
Purpose of the Study:
- To define the concept of integration within the context of health and healing.
- To identify universal elements of the integration experience for patients.
- To explore the role of integration in nursing care.
Main Methods:
- An integrative review and concept analysis approach was employed.
- A comprehensive literature search was conducted using the keyword 'integration' in CINAHL (1966-2004).
- Data from 56 selected reports (36 empirical, 20 theoretical) were analyzed to derive a process model.
Main Results:
- Integration is defined as a complex person-environment interaction, assimilating new experiences (e.g., illness) into self and daily activities.
- This assimilation contributes to achieving overall life balance and is a significant aspect of healing.
- A process model of integration related to health was developed.
Conclusions:
- The concept of integration holds significant importance for both the science and practice of nursing.
- Integration represents a critical phase between illness diagnosis and the subsequent physical and emotional healing process.
- Further research and application of this concept can enhance nursing interventions and patient outcomes.