Related Experiment Videos
Enhancing self-efficacy for optimized patient outcomes through the theory of symptom self-management
1College of Nursing, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI 48824, USA. ahoffman32@aol.com
Background:
In today's world, greater patient empowerment is imperative because 90 million Americans live with 1 or more chronic conditions such as cancer. Evidence reveals that healthy behaviors such as effective symptom self-management can prevent or reduce much of the suffering from cancer. Oncology nurses play a pivotal role in developing a symptom self-management plan that is critical to optimizing a patient's symptom self-management behaviors.
Objective:
This article uses exemplars to describe how oncology nurses can apply a tested middle-range theory, the Theory of Symptom Self-management, to clinical practice by incorporating interventions to increase a patient's perceived self-efficacy to optimize patient outcomes.
Methods:
The Theory of Symptom Self-management provides a means to understand the dynamic aspects of symptom self-management and provides a tested framework for the development of efficacy-enhancing interventions for use by oncology nurses in clinical practice.
Results:
Exemplars based on the Theory of Symptom Self-management depict how oncology nursing can use perceived self-efficacy-enhancing symptom self-management interventions to improve the functional status and quality of life of their patients.
Conclusion:
Guided by a theoretical approach, oncology nurses can have a significant positive impact on the lives of their patients by reducing the symptom burden associated with cancer and its treatment.
Implications For Practice:
Oncology nurses can partner with their patients to design tailored approaches to symptom self-management. These tailored approaches provide the ability to implement patient-specific behaviors that recognize, prevent, relieve, or decrease the timing, intensity, distress, concurrence, and unpleasant quality of symptoms.
Related Concept Videos
Self-Efficacy
Sources of Self-Esteem II: Performance Feedback
Self-Evaluation: Self-Enhancement and Self-Verification
Protecting Self-Esteem
Self-Evaluation Maintenance Model
Benefits of Self-Esteem