Operationalizing the Corbin & Strauss Trajectory Model for elderly clients with chronic illness

A research team of six nursing faculty at Thomas Jefferson University College of Allied Health Sciences collaborated to develop a research proposal to provide nursing care to a selected population of chronically ill elderly persons. The Corbin and Strauss Nursing Model for Chronic Illness Management (1991) was selected as the organizing framework to guide research and care delivery. While conceptual models offer direction for nursing practice, specific guidelines for providing care can only be identified when major concepts of the model are operationalized (Fawcett, 1989). This article describes the first step in operationalizing the Corbin and Strauss Trajectory Model undertaken by the research team which resulted in the development of eight "Phase-specific protocols." Two of the eight phase-specific protocols are presented.