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Caring for special populations: total pain theory in advanced heart failure: applications to research and practice
Joy R Goebel1, Lynn V Doering, Karl A Lorenz
1Department of Nursing, California State University, Long Beach, CA, USA. jgoebel@csulb.edu
Topic:
Total pain theory.
Purpose:
Describe total pain theory and apply it to research and practice in advanced heart failure (HF).
Source Of Information:
Total pain theory provides a holistic perspective for improving care, especially at the end of life. In advanced HF, multiple domains of well-being known to influence pain perception are adversely affected by declining health and increasing frailty. A conceptual framework is suggested which addresses domains of well-being identified by total pain theory.
Conclusion:
By applying total pain theory, providers may be more effective in mitigating the suffering of individuals with progressive, life-limiting diseases.
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