Which of the culture and caring theories most resonates with you for your practice as an NP? How does the theory integrate the nursing paradigm?  What parts of the theory do you identify with? How does the theory help to meet CLAS standards to advance health equity?

Among the various theories of caring and culture, Joanne Duffy’s Quality Caring Model particularly resonated with me. Her model centers on the importance of human relationships, especially within a healthcare setting. It outlines eight core caring behaviors: mutual problem-solving, attentive reassurance, human respect, an encouraging manner, appreciation of unique meanings, fostering a healing environment, addressing basic human needs, and meeting affiliation needs (Salinas et al., 2020). These are behaviors that I aspire to master and integrate into my future practice as a nurse practitioner. Far too often, patients express frustration with the lack of personal connection with their providers, feeling as though they are merely another case or diagnosis rather than being seen as individuals. I am determined to avoid falling into that pattern.

I strongly identify with several of these caring behaviors. Mutual problem-solving, for instance, aligns with how I collaborate with patients to find the best care solutions. Attentive reassurance is reflected in my habit of listening closely and providing comfort when patients are uncertain or anxious. Human respect is central to my practice, as I treat every person with dignity, regardless of their circumstances or financial situation. I also resonate with having an encouraging manner because I believe in uplifting others as well as myself, particularly on days when confidence is low. My open-mindedness makes me appreciate the unique meanings people bring to their experiences. Lastly, healing is only possible in a positive environment, free from toxicity, which is why creating a healing environment is important to me. 

Lee (2021) asserts that achieving health equity requires everyone to have an equal opportunity to reach their fullest potential, free from disadvantages linked to their social position or other socially determined factors. In terms of the CLAS standards' commitment to health equity, Joanne Duffy’s Quality Caring Model aligns well due to its focus on human respect. Ensuring cultural and linguistic competence, particularly in healthcare, plays a crucial role in patient care, as it demonstrates respect for patients' cultures and beliefs, ultimately helping to reduce health disparities.

References:

Lee, J. (2021). Evaluation of the National CLAS Standards: Tips and resources. Journal of Gerontological Social Work, 64(4), 442–445. https://doi.org/10.1080/01634372.2021.1882638Links to an external site.

Salinas, N., Duffy, J. R., & Davidson, J. (2020). Do caring behaviors in the quality caring model promote the human emotion of feeling cared for in hospitalized stroke patients and their families? Applied Nursing Research, 55, Article 151299. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apnr.2020.151299Links to an external site.

Which of the culture and caring theories most resonates with you for your practice as an NP?

In my future role as a Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner, the nursing theory resonates with the Quality-Caring Model because it reveals and illustrates the importance of nursing in the context of evidence-based practice in contemporary healthcare. It encourages a method or manner of being, that subverts modernist norms and emphasizes the importance of connections. The blended model characterizes the two main connections that make up professional encounters by restating the relationship-centered aspect of nursing work. It is predicted that caring relationships benefit patients and their families as well as healthcare providers and systems (Thomas et al., 2019).

How does the theory integrate the nursing paradigm? 

The Quality care Model unifies the nursing paradigm by centering the nursing process around relationships. This paradigm places a strong emphasis on the value of connections with patients, families, coworkers, oneself, and the community. To foster efficient caregiving and cohesive teams, it also recommends that nurses collaborate with other members of the healthcare team. The approach helps nurses deliver high-quality care by fusing these compassionate interactions with evidence-based practice (Compton et al., 2018).

What parts of the theory do you identify with? How does the theory help to meet CLAS standards to advance health equity?

One aspect of Duffy's quality care model that resonates with me is how understanding patients' perspectives on caring behaviors can assist the nursing team in identifying areas where rapport-building and improving the quality of life for patients and their families.  Because it identifies eight caring factors acknowledging each other's distinct meaning, fostering a healing atmosphere, offering attentive reassurance, human respect, encouraging behavior, meeting basic human needs, and working together to solve problems the Duffy quality care model contributes to meeting the CLAS standard by tailoring care to a patient's linguistic and cultural preferences, medical professionals can assist improve health outcomes for a range of groups and reduce health disparities (U.S. Department of Health & Human Services, 2019).

References

Compton, E., Gildemeyer, K., Mason, T., Hartranft, S., & Sutton, S. (2018). Nurses’ Caring Behaviors: The Perception of Patients with Cancer at the Time of Discharge After Surgery. Clinical Journal of Oncology Nursing, 22(2), 169–174. https://doi.org/10.1188/18.cjon.169-174Links to an external site.

Thomas, D., Newcomb, P., & Fusco, P. (2019). Perception of Caring Among Patients and Nurses. Journal of Patient Experience, 6(3), 194–200. https://doi.org/10.1177/2374373518795713Links to an external site.

U.S. Department of Health & Human Services. (2019). What is CLAS? Think Cultural Health. https://thinkculturalhealth.hhs.gov/clas/what-is-clasLinks to an external site.