Introduction
As far as providing human care is concerned, one of the many concepts that guide healthcare providers today was proposed by Jean Watson. Popularly regarded as Jean Watson Theory of Human Caring, the concepts are in fact heavily influenced by core principles/practices which had been suggested by Watson (2008). These core principles advocates for a practice of human caring which is based on practice of kindness, love and equanimity, accommodating deep beliefs, spiritual practice towards healing, enhancing a caring-healing environment and openness to unexpected and unexplainable life events have shaped the concept of Watson’s Theory of Human Caring. The concept is further characterized by the presence of certain aspects which are highlighted in the following section.
Concept of Jean Watson Theory of Human Caring
There are the following core concepts to Watson’s Theory of Human Caring:
(1) Relational Care for self and others – the first and foremost concept to have led to the development of the theory is that of ensuring a relational caring perspective is present in the care provision. What this effectively means is that care providers need to ensure that their discharge of duties to clients needs to adhere to their moral, philosophical and ethical values.
(2) An interpersonal caring relationship – this concept advocates the practice of nursing which not only considers but also promotes personal care to be provided to patients by the service care providers. There should be presence of an outlook among care providers which respects and honors the needs of the patients and at the same time be committed to safeguarding human dignity of the client which calls for the nursing staff to look at a patient as a human being in need of love, care and respect and the efforts need to be authentic as if every client/patient to the establishment is very near and dear to the healthcare staff.
(3) Occasion/Moments of caring – the interaction between the nursing staff and the patient/client in the care of the healthcare establishment will automatically pave the way for exchange of ideas and information which may very well be reflective of different backgrounds – the one of the patient and that of the care provider. What needs to be ensured by care providers in this case is that it helps for a better framework of care which will not only enhance the experience of the patient but at the same time help the staff to understand the needs and requirements of the client better. Authenticity and genuine concern for the patient needs to be shaped into provision of utmost care to the patient, for which understanding both the physical and psychological requirements of the patient become very important.
(4) Multiple knowledge avenues – this is a critical aspect which is very much required for the provision of effective and efficient care. The caregiver cannot afford to be limited to any one particular knowledge avenue in the provision of healthcare services – cultural, personal, ethical and intuitive knowledge avenues are as much as necessary as is medicinal and healthcare knowledge.
Conclusion
Watson’s theory of Human Caring brings highlights the very important aspect which is associated with provision of healthcare services to patients or clients in the industry – the aspect of human care which is as important as are medicines and medical procedures when healthcare services are being provided to individuals in need. While practitioners and learners may often come across the terminology in their day to day activities, the conceptual framework which developed the theory needs to be understood in the first place. This brief presentation focuses on the key concepts associated with human caring and it serves the objective of highlighting the same.
Reference
Watson, J. (2008). Nursing: The Philosophy and Science of Caring. Boulder: University Press of Colorado.
