Concept Analysis of Patient Advocacy in Nursing Practice
Identification of Concept Points
Background & Significance of Concept
Patient advocacy is a fundamental concept in nursing practice that focuses on protecting and promoting the rights and well-being of patients. It involves actively supporting and speaking up for patients, ensuring their voices are heard, and facilitating their access to appropriate healthcare resources and services. Patient advocacy is rooted in ethical principles and aligns with the nursing profession’s commitment to holistic care and patient-centeredness.
To understand the meaning of patient advocacy in depth, it is essential to examine the concept through various theoretical perspectives. Three theories that can be used to explore patient advocacy include:
The Theory of Human Caring by Jean Watson
Watson’s theory emphasizes the importance of creating a caring and supportive environment in healthcare. Patient advocacy aligns with this theory, embodying the core value of caring for patients and recognizing their unique needs and preferences.
Social Cognitive Theory by Albert Bandura
This theory focuses on the role of observational learning and self-efficacy in shaping human behavior. Patient advocacy can be seen as a demonstration of self-efficacy, where nurses empower themselves to advocate for patients based on their knowledge, skills, and beliefs (Law & Hall, 2009)
The Health Belief Model
Although not specifically a nursing theory, the Health Belief Model provides insights into patients’ perceptions and behaviors regarding their health. Patient advocacy can be viewed as a strategy to enhance patients’ health beliefs, promote adherence to treatment plans, and facilitate positive health outcomes.
Relevant research conducted on patient advocacy has highlighted its positive impact on patient outcomes, satisfaction, and healthcare quality. Studies have demonstrated that effective patient advocacy improves communication between patients and healthcare providers, reduces medical errors, and ensures patients receive appropriate and timely interventions. This concept analysis is necessary for nursing because it offers a comprehensive exploration of patient advocacy, clarifies its dimensions, and provides a foundation for developing strategies to enhance advocacy skills among nurses.
Aims of this Analysis
The aims of this concept analysis are
To clarify the meaning and essential attributes of patient advocacy in nursing practice.
To examine the various theoretical perspectives that inform patient advocacy.
To explore the significance of patient advocacy in promoting patient-centered care and improving health outcomes.
To develop cases that illustrate different aspects of patient advocacy, including model, contrary, related, and borderline cases.
To establish tentative criteria for evaluating the presence and effectiveness of patient advocacy in nursing practice.
Definitions
Patient Advocacy: Patient advocacy is the active process of supporting, protecting, and promoting the rights, preferences, and well-being of patients. It involves empowering patients, ensuring their informed decision-making, and advocating for equitable access to healthcare resources and services.
Holistic Care: Holistic care refers to an approach that considers the physical, emotional, social, and spiritual aspects of patients’ well-being. It recognizes the interconnectedness of these dimensions and aims to provide comprehensive and individualized care.
Self-Efficacy: Self-efficacy refers to an individual’s belief in their capacity to accomplish a specific task or achieve a desired outcome. In the context of patient advocacy, self-efficacy relates to nurses’ confidence in their ability to advocate effectively for patients’ needs and rights.
Development of Cases
Model Case
Ms. Johnson, a 65-year-old patient with multiple chronic conditions, is admitted to the hospital for a complex procedure. Her nurse, Sarah, takes the time to establish a trusting relationship with Ms. Johnson, actively listens to her concerns, and involves her in decision-making. Sarah advocates for Ms. Johnson’s preferences regarding pain management and collaborates with the interdisciplinary team to ensure her comfort and safety throughout the hospital stay. Sarah’s proactive approach demonstrates patient advocacy by promoting autonomy, dignity, and holistic care.
Contrary Case
In a busy emergency department, Mr. Smith, a middle-aged patient experiencing chest pain, expresses his anxiety and requests more information about his condition and potential treatment options. The nurse, Jessica, dismisses his concerns, provides minimal explanations, and fails to advocate for his right to be informed and involved in decision-making. Jessica’s behavior represents a contrary case of patient advocacy, as she neglects to prioritize the patient’s well-being, autonomy, and information needs.
Related Case
Ms. Ramirez, an elderly patient with limited English proficiency, is admitted to a medical-surgical unit. Her nurse, Maria, recognizes the importance of cultural competence and advocates for the provision of a professional interpreter to facilitate effective communication between Ms. Ramirez and the healthcare team. Maria’s action reflects patient advocacy by ensuring equitable access to healthcare information, promoting cultural sensitivity, and minimizing the potential for misunderstandings or errors.
Borderline Case
Mr. Thompson, a terminally ill patient, expresses his wish to discontinue aggressive treatments and transition to palliative care. However, his family members strongly oppose his decision and insist on pursuing curative interventions. The nurse, Lisa, finds herself caught between respecting the patient’s autonomy and addressing the concerns of his family. Lisa’s ability to navigate this complex situation while advocating for a patient-centered approach represents a borderline case of patient advocacy, requiring careful consideration of multiple perspectives and ethical principles.
Tentative Criteria
The following tentative criteria can be used to evaluate the presence and effectiveness of patient advocacy in nursing practice:
Active involvement: The nurse actively engages with patients, solicits their input, and facilitates their participation in decision-making processes (Fresno et al., 2016).
Empowerment: The nurse empowers patients by providing them with relevant information, resources, and support to make informed choices about their healthcare.
Ethical decision-making: The nurse recognizes and respects patients’ autonomy, privacy, and confidentiality while adhering to ethical and legal standards.
Collaboration: The nurse collaborates with the interdisciplinary team and advocates for patients’ needs and preferences to ensure holistic and patient-centered care.
Communication skills: The nurse demonstrates effective communication skills, including active listening, empathy, and assertiveness, to advocate for patients’ rights and priorities.
Overall Evaluation
Patient advocacy is a vital concept in nursing practice, embodying the profession’s commitment to holistic care, patient-centeredness, and ethical decision-making. Through this concept analysis, the meaning and attributes of patient advocacy have been clarified, and its significance in healthcare has been highlighted (Sellin, 1995). By providing model, contrary, related, and borderline cases, this analysis illustrates various scenarios where patient advocacy can be observed or challenged.
Moreover, the development of tentative criteria assists in evaluating the presence and effectiveness of patient advocacy in nursing practice. These criteria serve as a guide for nurses to enhance their advocacy skills and contribute to positive patient outcomes. By integrating the concept of patient advocacy into education, policy development, and clinical practice, nurses can promote a culture of empowerment, respect, and patient-centered care.
In conclusion, patient advocacy is a cornerstone of nursing practice, emphasizing the importance of protecting and promoting patients’ rights, preferences, and well-being. Understanding and practicing patient advocacy can enhance healthcare quality, improve patient outcomes, and foster meaningful nurse-patient relationships. By continually exploring and refining the concept, nursing can continue to evolve and meet the evolving needs of patients in the present and future healthcare landscape.
References
Fresno, N., Castellà, J., & Soler-Vilageliu, O. (2016). ‘What Should I Say?’ Tentative Criteria to Prioritize Information in the Audio Description of Film Characters. In ‘What Should I Say?’ Tentative Criteria to Prioritize Information in the Audio Description of Film Characters. https://doi.org/10.1057/978-1-137-56917-2_8
Law, B., & Hall, C. R. (2009). Observational learning use and self-efficacy beliefs in adult sport novices. Psychology of Sport and Exercise, 10(2), 263–270. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.psychsport.2008.08.003
Sellin, S. C. (1995). Out On a Limb: a Qualitative Study of Patient Advocacy in Institutional Nursing. Nursing Ethics. https://doi.org/10.1177/096973309500200104
