Analysis and Evaluation of the Theory of Unpleasant Symptoms

The Theory of Unpleasant Symptoms (TOUS) was developed to enhance understanding of multiple symptoms experienced simultaneously, focusing on their relationships and impacts (Lee et al., 2017). Its primary purpose is to improve symptom management through effective interventions and guide research and nursing practice. This middle-range explanatory theory provides a framework to address the multidimensional nature of symptoms, emphasizing physiologic, psychologic, and situational influencing factors: Analysis and Evaluation of the Theory of Unpleasant Symptoms.

In relation to today’s nursing standards, TOUS reflects upon the concepts of the nursing metaparadigm of human beings, environment, health, and nursing (Lee et al., 2017). It helps in client-centred care by acknowledging the relationship between client symptoms and their environment and assisting in the evaluation and direction of the symptoms of different populations of clients (Johnson & Carrington, 2023). It can be applied in practice and is used most effectively when dealing with multiple symptoms. Hence, it is incorporated as an evidenced-based nursing intervention.

The theory has been refined from literature through empirical evidence in different settings concerning clients with chronic diseases such as cancer and heart ailments. It has defined most of these constructs, measured the fatigue and cognitive performance that underpins it, and investigated their relationship. For instance, it was revealed that clusters of symptoms, including fatigue, pain, and depression, have effects on physical functioning and well-being (Raizen et al., 2023).

That shows that it can be useful in practice situations. Nonetheless, there are very few intervention studies based on TOUS, perhaps because its propositions highlight abstract associations rather than interventions. Nevertheless, its empirical validity has been given the green light by the fact that it has been utilized to steer more than thirty research studies in distinct populations and circumstances.

In research or practice, TOUS provides a useful structure for the explication of symptom clusters and their consequences. It can help in shaping clinical trials making assessments of interventions aimed at reducing symptoms or increasing functional status. Moreover, it also helps in explaining how influencing factors work in conjunction with symptoms and performance or vice versa. TOUS exhibits convincing social relevance and theoretical utility; hence, the refinement of semantic distinctiveness and stasis might improve its practical use. 

References

Johnson, E., & Carrington, J. M. (2023). Revisiting the Nursing metaparadigm: Acknowledging Technology as Foundational to Progressing Nursing Knowledge. Nursing Inquiry, 30(1). https://doi.org/10.1111/nin.12502

Lee, S. E., Vincent, C., & Finnegan, L. (2017). An analysis and evaluation of the theory of unpleasant symptoms. Advances in Nursing Science, 40(1). https://doi.org/10.1097/ans.0000000000000141

Raizen, D. M., Mullington, J., Christelle Anaclet, Clarke, G., Critchley, H., Dantzer, R., Davis, R., Drew, K. L., Fessel, J., Fuller, P. M., G., E. M., Harrington, M., W. Ian Lipkin, Klerman, E. B., Klimas, N., Komaroff, A. L., Koroshetz, W., Krupp, L., Kuppuswamy, A., & Lasselin, J. (2023). Beyond the Symptom: The Biology of Fatigue. Sleep, 46(9). https://doi.org/10.1093/sleep/zsad069

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Theory Analysis: Week 1

Purpose:
The purpose of this assignment is intended to allow the student to show evidence of the following course objectives:

• Examine how the advanced practice nurse integrates scientific findings from nursing, biopsychosocial fields, genetics, public health, quality improvement, and organizational sciences for the continual improvement of nursing care across diverse settings.
• Apply research outcomes within the practice setting, resolve practice problems, work as a change agent, and disseminate results.

Description:
You are going to read the below article and consider the 19 questions listed. Your paper should answer the following questions:

• 1. What is the purpose of the theory;
• 15. Is the theory congruent with current nursing standards? Nursing interventions;
• 16. Has the theory been tested?; and
• 19. How would you use the theory in a research study or in practice? Is it supported by research? Explain your answer.

The paper should be written following APA format (title page, headings, reference page, etc.) and include a minimum of 3 references. You will draft this paper and submit it to the South College Writing Lab. You will submit a screenshot of your email to the Writing Center in the dropbox for this week’s submission.

Read the attached article, An Analysis and Evaluation of the Theory of Unpleasant Symptoms

Consider all of the questions and answer the bolded questions in your paper (#1, #15, #16, #19):

Analysis and Evaluation of the Theory of Unpleasant Symptoms

1. What is the purpose of the theory?
2. What is the scope of the theory?
3. What were the origins of the theory?
4. What are the major concepts?
5. What are the theoretical propositions?
6. What are the major assumptions?
7. What is the context for use?
8. Are the concepts theoretically and operationally defined? Why or why not?
9. Are statements defined? Why or why not?
10. Are linkages explicit? Explain your answer.
11. Is the theory logically organized? Explain your answer.
12. Is there a model/diagram? Why or why not?
13. Are the concepts, statements, and assumptions consistent? Why or why not?
14. Are outcomes or consequences stated or predicted?
15. Is the theory congruent with current nursing standards? Nursing interventions?
16. Has the theory been tested? Is it supported by research? Explain your answer.
17. Is there evidence that the theory has been used? Is it socially or culturally relevant? Explain your answer.
18. Does the theory contribute to nursing? What are the implications for nursing related to the implementation of the theory?
19. How would you use the theory in a research study or in practice?

Requirements:

• This assignment needs to be submitted following APA format (title page, headings, reference page, etc.). Citations from References that are synthesized from the assigned article, course text, evidence-based and peer-reviewed research articles, and other credible sources are required. A minimum of 3 resources are used. References must be current within 5 years, with the exception of the assigned article from 2017.
• You are required to submit your Theory Analysis to the South College Writing Lab. The Writing Lab helps with APA formatting, proper citation, summary writing, grammar, and professional style. Once you submit your paper, the writing center will provide feedback.
• Below is the link to the South College Writing Lab. Enroll in the course and go to the help page.
  • South College Writing Lab Link
• Follow the instructions for submissions.
• Note: that email submissions may take up to two business days to return, so keep that in mind when you submit.
• The writing lab will email your document back to you with track changes, so you know what to edit in your paper. You will need to upload the document with feedback (track changes) in Week 3.
• For this week’s assignment, a screenshot of your email to the Writing Center with your paper attached must be submitted to the dropbox.
• Evaluation: The following rubric will be used to score this assignment.