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Using the Trajectory Framework: reconceptualizing cardiac illness
Insights
Nursing care for cardiac disease, a leading cause of death, needs updating. The Corbin and Strauss trajectory framework offers a comprehensive, patient-centered approach for managing chronic cardiac conditions and disability.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Nursing
- Healthcare Management
Background:
- Cardiac disease is the primary cause of premature death in the US.
- Current nursing management often prioritizes acute cardiac illness.
- Changes in patient demographics and technology necessitate new care models.
Purpose of the Study:
- To present changes in cardiac patient populations and technology.
- To discuss the Corbin and Strauss trajectory framework for cardiac care.
- To identify framework characteristics suitable for cardiac care.
Main Methods:
- Review of major changes in cardiac patient populations.
- Analysis of evolving cardiac treatment technologies.
- Application and discussion of the Corbin and Strauss trajectory framework.
Main Results:
- The Corbin and Strauss framework is suitable for conceptualizing cardiac illness.
- Five key characteristics of the framework enhance cardiac care: comprehensiveness, patient-centeredness, gender considerations, family focus, and technology integration.
Conclusions:
- The Corbin and Strauss trajectory framework provides a robust model for modern cardiac care.
- This framework addresses the increasing prevalence of chronic cardiac conditions and disabilities.
- It promotes a holistic approach encompassing patient, family, and technological aspects.
Abstract:
Cardiac disease is known to be the leading cause of premature morbidity and mortality in the United States. Nursing management of cardiac illnesses, as such, is a primary concern for most practicing nurses. Dramatic changes in cardiac patient populations and associated technology available for treatment indicate a need to reconceptualize the nature of cardiac illness and to consider alternative approaches to guide the care of these patients. Traditional care, to a large degree, has focused upon acute illness, consequently limiting needed attention to the increasing group of patients suffering chronic illness and disability. In the present paper, the major changes in the cardiac patient population and in utilization of available technology are presented. The application of the Corbin and Strauss trajectory framework as an appropriate and useful framework for conceptualizing cardiac illness and care is then discussed. Five characteristics of the framework which render the model particularly well suited to address cardiac care are identified and discussed. These characteristics are: 1) comprehensiveness of care, 2) patient-centered care, 3) gender issues in care, 4) family-focused care, 5) technology and cardiac care.