Nursing theory-directed healthcare: modifying Kolcaba's comfort theory as an institution-wide approach

The tradition of the nursing discipline borrowing theory from other disciplines is examined, and the idea of other healthcare disciplines borrowing nursing theory is proposed. A brief literature review of borrowed theory sets the stage to examine how a modification in the theoretical framework of Kolcaba's theory of comfort can guide the thinking and work of other healthcare disciplines. This change positions Kolcaba's theory as an acceptable blueprint to guide the activities of all health disciplines within an institution, transposing this theory from a theory for nursing to a theory for healthcare. In a healthcare climate that embraces interprofessional collaboration, a single theoretical framework has the potential to facilitate greater understanding between disciplines and greater continuity of care for healthcare recipients and their families. To clearly demonstrate this assertion, a hypothetical case example is presented.