Introduction
Jean Watson’s theory of human caring in nursing is a methodology of transpersonal caring developed concerning human nature. Jean Watson argues that “humans cannot be treated as objects and that humans cannot be separated from self, other, nature, and the larger workforce” (Gunawan et al., 2022). In her framework, the entire nursing is incorporated by pressing more on the interpersonal procedures that happen between the deliverer of health services and the patient on the other side. Therefore, it can be said that Watson’s theory is based on the centrality of human care and the transpersonal links between the person offering clinical care and the other receiving the same.
This paper is a critique of a research work that focuses its study on Jean Watson’s theory of human caring. The main article for critiquing is ‘Effects of nursing care based on Watson’s theory of human caring on anxiety, distress, and coping when infertility treatment fails: A randomized controlled trial’ by Ozan and Okumus (2017). The article was published in the Journal of Caring Sciences and conforms to the structure of a research paper in various ways. The paper used a randomized controlled trial study, and the results show that intervention and control groups may significantly differ regarding anxiety and coping rates. The article recommends using Watson’s theory in nursing patients with infertility issues as one way of lowering stress levels and increasing the coping style among infertile women.
Critiquing the Article Based on the Elements of the Study
The Article’s Main Study Areas
The work concerns infertility in Turkish women and the accompanying mental health issues that may come when treatment fails. The authors have provided a descriptive part of their study background by establishing data that 10-15% of couples in Turkey fight infertility (Ozan & Okumuş, 2017). The study further reveals that 9% of the married women fail to get a child, which translates to almost 1.5 million population in the study place. By introducing the concept of infertility in their paper, the audience is expected to understand the relationship between fertility, anxiety and distress. This paper credits Ozan and Okumus’ (2017) work since it has given the connection between infertility and the life crisis of mental unhealthiness that couples find themselves in their marriage. The solution of assisted reproductive technology (ART) is sought as an alternative. When it does not succeed, there is a high possibility that the affected groups will have anxiety, stress and fear-like feeling that need to be contained.
The authors have expressed their viewpoints on incorporating Jean Watson’s human care theory. The article puts that the purpose of theory in nursing infertile women is to move away from treatment-centeredness and focus on caring as the alternative to boost the welfare of the affected group. The paper has given an exemplary notation of the relationship between human and nursing paradigms in that the authors have argued there is a need to include transpersonal caring, which is integrated with caring occasions and caring-healing modalities (Melnyk & Fineout-Overholt, 2019). The article’s research factor is evident because of the evaluation of the effectiveness of the nursing programs that involve Jean Watson’s theory in managing distress among infertile women (Ozan & Okumuş, 2017). The paper focuses on Turkey, and women are the key group being studied which shows the authenticity of their research. Therefore, from the above metrics, the article has been presented in academic and professional prose.
Critique of the Type of Study and Design Used
The paper’s study type is experimental-based as it covers randomized group investigational research. The reason is that the author’s aimed at getting intervention for the anxiety and stress among infertile women in Turkey. The group was randomly selected, as the authors note in their abstract, where 86 infertile Turkish women were used. Among the participants, the study focused on bringing an intervention and controlling the group to ensure they can cope with anxiety and distress as they cope with infertility (Ozan & Okumuş, 2017). Thus, Ozan and Okumus’ researches on how nursing care grounded on Jean Watson’s theory can modify the psychological inconsistency for infertile females.
The experimental study can be justified by using a randomized controlled trial research design where women who took part in the study were blinded to the intervention or control group assignments. The article has given a broad description of the various metrics involved in the experiment by drawing randomization using various tests (Dang et al., 2021). Although the study may seem clinical trial, there is no mention of a medical setting that the researchers used. Hence, the study was experiment-based.
By looking keenly at the paper, the article has employed a scientific design that complements the randomized controlled trial. The reason is that authors have applied an inclusion criterion in terms of primary fertility, age factor, fluency with the Turkish language, and reproduction techniques. The study design was meant to be credible by excluding the patients with chronic illnesses, hence, showing a lower probability of getting wrong results from the design study (Melnyk & Fineout-Overholt, 2019). The work utilized NCSS-PASS software to determine the reliability range, which means they considered the randomization method key in randomized controlled trial study design.
Quality of Study and Rationale
In research, the quality of study is measured by the credibility, dependability and conformability with other research indicating the same results about the subject matter. The credibility of the authors’ research is seen through the use of materials and methods that can give sufficient results that can be useful to give a rationale for the study (Dang et al., 2021). For example, the article has based the design phases on the consolidated standards of reporting trials (CONSORT) (Ozan & Okumuş, 2017). In this case, the quality can be evident using the CONSORT diagram that elaborates on the participant flow throughout the study. Using figures in research is recommended since it adds to the audience’s conceptualization of the subject matter in that they can contemplate what they see rather than what they assume or hear.
The other quality measure is seen in how the research conforms to the scientific framework of Jean Watson’s theory of human care. The authors have established humanistic-altruistic values where sensitivity to oneself and others was highly captured (Ozan & Okumuş, 2017). The trustworthiness in the human care relationship was seen in the article alienation to the study population. This subject conforms to the scientific frameworks used to study a given societal problem. The author’s research is dependable since it includes clinical measures that are well-put to control anxiety and distress among the Turkish population of infertile women.
The reason is that for women who can follow the internal metrics, in theory, they will likely cope with infertility and curl any mental challenges that could be brought by the same. The study’s rationale is clearly seen by the author’s intent to provide an intervention for infertile women which focuses on reducing distress and anxiety levels, hence bringing well-being to society (Gunawan et al., 2022). The authors’ discussion also presents the rationale factor by presenting the relationship between anxiety and infertility based on other scholarly sources. The authors agree that there is a need for guided intervention to solve mental health issues brought about by infertility among women not only in Turkey but in other parts of the world.
Implications for Further Research
The study opened the eyes of the audience and probed the readers to explore more on the subject matter due to the research gap that may be evident in the current studies. The study implicates further research on why it is difficult for women to cope with mental health issues when faced with the reality of infertility (Melnyk & Fineout-Overholt, 2019). Additionally, researchers may want to explore more on why women have a high rate of distress and anxiety compared to men. These two aspects of research will address the gap left in human care by applying Jean Watson’s theory.
Conclusion
The paper has critiqued an article that employed Jean Watson’s theory in human care for infertile women who need to cope with stress and anxiety in Turkey. The authors have applied randomized-controlled trials to experiment with the participants based on the subject matter. Infertile women face challenges in coping with anxiety, and the application of human-centric care can assist them in combating mental health issues and lead to clinical wellbeing. The quality of study in the article is seen through the use of scientific methodologies and tools that help boost the research interventions regarding anxiety issues. The authors have used figures for conceptualization purposes. From the study, researchers may want to explore why it is hard for infertile women to cope with anxiety. Generally, the authors’ article shows a well-thought and considered research that can be useful in getting a solution for people who have experienced natural bodily problems.
References
Dang, D., Dearholt, S., Bissett, K., Ascenzi, J., & Whalen, M. (2021). Johns Hopkins evidence-based practice for nurses and healthcare professionals (4th ed.). Sigma Theta Tau International.
Gunawan, J., Aungsuroch, Y., Watson, J., & Marzilli, C. (2022). Nursing administration: Watson’s theory of human caring.Nursing Science Quarterly, 35(2), 235-243.
Melnyk, B., & Fineout-Overholt, E. (2019). Evidence-based practice in nursing and healthcare (6th ed.). Philadelphia, Pa.: Wolters Kluwer Health/Lippincott Williams & Wilkins.
Ozan, Y., & Okumuş, H. (2017). Effects of nursing care based on Watson’s theory of human caring on anxiety, distress, and coping, when infertility treatment fails: A randomized controlled trial.Journal Of Caring Sciences, 6(2), 95-109.