Understanding Patient Fear and Emotional Needs in Depression
Importance of the Issue
Patients who express concern about the future when there is a risk of living with depression. Addressing the emotional or inner state, even in unstable patients, is crucial for establishing effective communication. This aspect is crucial for creating more comfortable conditions for patients cared for by nurses.
People living with depression can often experience fear and other unpleasant emotions that need to be dealt with. The phenomenon of interest in the context of this problem is to explore how to overcome fear in patients using a theoretical basis that is most effective. By studying the demonstration of fear, its consequences, and the behavior of patients in different conditions, one can understand the algorithms of their actions and develop an appropriate strategy to help.
Description of Duffy’s Model
Joanne Duffy’s Quality-Caring Model emphasizes the importance of treating each patient as an individual to meet their needs and enhance their experience. This model comprises three main components that form the foundation of cooperation: the patient, the nurse, and the environment (Agostinho et al., 2023). With the help of interaction and competent work across all aspects, it is possible to alleviate the patient’s suffering. The use of this model can help patients feel more comfortable expressing their concerns, allowing them to be addressed effectively. The application of Joanne Duffy’s theory enables nurses to expertly implement interventions that aim to develop a therapeutic relationship with the client.
Classification of Major Depression
Major depression must be classified into several types, such as situational, biological, psychological, and existential, which changes the strategy for treating patients. An emotional reaction due to future uncertainty in the strength of one’s side or in a favorable outcome in general. At the same time, fear cannot arise from anywhere, and it must be tied to some specific event.
Studying the nature of the appearance of anxiety due to depression can help significantly in addressing this problem in the context of each particular disorder (Njungwe, 2020). Living with depression can elicit a response of fear, as patients often cannot get reliable predictions about their future. This feeling of uncertainty gives rise to worry for the planning and development of later life.
Overcoming Fear in Clinical Settings
Fear of the unknown is one of the most disturbing kinds that affects how people perceive the world over time. Suppose a person gives in to a persistent feeling of fear. In that case, this begins to turn into psychological trauma, which can be characterized by entirely different parameters that are sometimes difficult to recognize. A person who is in a state of uncertainty about their diagnosis may gradually develop anxiety and depression (Buheji et al., 2020). Thus, the feeling of hopelessness can begin to develop with increased force, which is an adverse effect that must be avoided by implementing a holistic nursing approach to care.
The problem of overcoming fear in many people who are being treated in clinics can cause concern. When a person is in perioperative care, it can negatively affect their psyche. Preparing for surgery requires a significant amount of emotional resources that a person must allocate to cope with feelings of uncertainty (De Castro et al., 2021).
The operation can become a turning point in someone’s life, and a lot can depend on its outcome, including the person’s life. Therefore, fear can build up because people are uncertain about whether everything will go as planned. This stress is triggered in their body, producing emotions that begin to irritate the nervous system and worsen the situation in this way.
Fear in Nursing
In nursing, nurses are expected never to show that they are scared or worried. This behavior can hurt how patients will ultimately feel. Confidence and a consistently positive mood should be key aspects that can impact patient morale, as reflected in their adoption of the mindset of nurses (Bærøe et al., 2023). Therefore, improving confidence is an important aspect that should play a significant role in training nurses to work with patients with depressive disorder. This aspect can change how the patient perceives their situation and how optimistic it seems to them.
Major Depressive Disorder and Related Fears
Major Depressive Disorder is a significant problem, the diagnosis of which can negatively affect a person’s morale. This diagnosis can lead to various fears, also because patients may not be fully aware of this disorder. This leads to the formation of apprehension and anxiety based on shared ideas or stereotypes about depression.
In addition, people who suffer from depression can often be stigmatized and marginalized due to social misunderstanding. The fear that the person might be labeled unstable distracts patients from seeking help and diagnosing their problems. In addition, the diagnosis of a depressive disorder can lead to an emotional shock that will negatively affect social interaction and the ability to interact.
Scientists at Johns Hopkins Medicine (n. d.) estimate that 9.5% of Americans suffer from a depressive disorder. This means that many people are at high risk of developing social fears. Depression can also become a problem that has a significant impact on professional life due to decreased productivity. Thus, people cannot typically perform their duties, which will lead to further deterioration of the situation.
Evaluating the Practical Applicability of Duffy’s Quality-Caring Model
Benefits
The suitability of Joanne Duffy’s Quality-Caring Model for practice research stems from its focus on creating a patient-friendly environment. As a result, this should contribute to the treatment process and accelerate the normalization of the patient’s mental state. A significant positive side of the theory for practice is the simplicity of concepts, which ensures fewer erroneous actions. This is also important so that nurses can quickly implement the practice and carry out the necessary interventions (Duffy, 2022).
The study of the theoretical aspects of the model before its application is a crucial step that can significantly impact its subsequent application. In this regard, the aspect of the digestibility of the theory is of critical importance. This means that this practice can be accessible to both experienced and novice nurses.
Another positive feature of the chosen model is its generality and the nature of disease coverage. The theory’s sufficiently broad possibilities allow it to be applied to a more comprehensive range of patients. This makes it more versatile and suitable for many occasions. Additionally, it will maintain a holistic approach by ensuring that all aspects of both mental and physical health are considered equally.
The availability of assumptions is a positive side of the model, making it more suitable for working with patients with mental disorders. The original thesis of Duffy’s model is that nursing is a central attribute of patient support, which requires a focus on customer satisfaction (Duffy, 2022). This aligns with the foundation of the theoretical approach to nursing care, making the chosen model intuitive and accessible to all workers in this field. This may contribute to the theory being better embodied at all stages of implementation.
Scientific Evidence and Testability
The Quality-Caring Model has a solid research basis and clinically validated evidence to support its practicality. Dr. Duffy has extensive experience working with patients, and in her theory, she relied on what they usually needed most (Agostinho et al., 2023). Through interaction with patients, the theorist gained valuable knowledge that subsequently helped form a model for ensuring optimal interaction. Numerous proven practical applications also testify to the success and validity of this model, as well as its applicability to people with mental disorders.
The testability of a theory is also an essential factor to consider when evaluating its practical applicability. Most aspects of this model can be observed in practice and are measurable. These items include components such as nurse-patient interaction and customer satisfaction. It will be possible to develop a manual for nursing practice if the aspects above are thoroughly assessed and adapted (Agostinho et al., 2023).
However, several weaknesses are apparent in subjective terms, such as emotional support and general care, which can be challenging to measure accurately. To achieve this, a qualitative research approach will be employed, including the creation of focus groups and interviews, which will enable a partial evaluation of the possibilities of Duffy’s Quality-Caring Model.
Ease of Application
A significant positive aspect of the chosen model is its ability to be adapted to different patients, which demonstrates flexibility and adaptability. The incorporation of innovative care practices and proven scientific approaches to patient care can help develop nursing knowledge and skills (Duffy, 2022). Concern for quality and the flexibility of the model can go a long way in ensuring the best level of training when using the model as a guide for practice and research. Additionally, the ease of implementation of the model in nursing practice makes it cost-effective, eliminating the need for extra costs.
When implementing the chosen model as a guide for research and practice, the heuristic value of the theory is essential. A conceptual framework for working with patients with mental disorders can help nurses gain more experience and develop critical thinking (Agostinho et al., 2023). This element is valuable for medical staff, enabling them to approach specific problems more objectively in their practice and prioritize them effectively. Patient-centered care is an essential aspect that must be combined with all the norms and requirements for accessing necessary resources in nursing practice.
The concept of empathy and compassion in the studied model holds a central place, as it aims to provide the patient with the maximum level of comfort. This should encourage a more active recovery as clients can quickly adapt to the new clinical care environment. Joanne Duffy’s Quality-Caring Model serves as a guide and recommendation for nurses new to patient care or seeking to upgrade their skills (Jones et al., 2022).
However, the application of the model is not limited to these categories, as it can become a tool for the daily practice of nurses when working with patients with mental disorders. This makes the selected model universal as it can be used for different needs. In addition, the use of theory as a guide for research and practice can be justified by the fact that it combines various developments into a complex model.
Implementing the Quality-Caring Model in Nursing Practice
The application of theory to practice is demonstrated in numerous studies that prove its relevance. The theory has been applied in many ways, such as helping the mentally ill with surgery, general nursing, and individual practice with patients with mental disorders. Medical institutions that have implemented Joanne Duffy’s Quality-Caring Model demonstrate greater efficiency, resulting in increased patient satisfaction, which has increased significantly (Jones et al., 2022). In this way, it can be said that the application of the model has positive implications for both practical applications and theoretical guidance.
An important area of application is the care of patients in the emergency department, where results have shown a significant improvement in patient satisfaction and overall clinic performance (Fernanda et al., 2023). In the medical and surgical department, the implementation of the Duffy model also proved effective due to the provision of assistance during the perioperative period (Knight, 2021). This was achieved by introducing a system of individual care for patients who suffered from mental disorders and had to undergo surgery. The caring environment thus contributed to the fact that clients began to feel more comfortable, and their mental state remained stable.
The importance of testing the Quality-Caring Model is justified by the fact that documented evidence will provide an opportunity to assess how the theory can be applied to different areas. Based on the medical situation of a mentally ill person, providing care and attention is essential to increase the likelihood of a more effective patient recovery. In addition, implementing guidelines based on Duffy’s Quality-Caring Model can support the well-being and reduce the stress of medical personnel (Jones et al., 2022). This is an important aspect, as the health of the staff depends on their ability to provide proper assistance. In this case, the clinic will successfully fulfill its obligations to patients and their families from the psycho-emotional state of the nurses.
Patient empowerment can also potentially impact the implementation of theory in advanced nursing practice. Results in this practice can be measured using questionnaires that will demonstrate patient satisfaction. Additionally, implementing the proposed theory can have a positive side effect, reducing social stigma in society and within the clinic. As discussed above, such an effect is necessary for patients with mental disorders since marginalization and stigma are reasons that delay people from reaching specialists (Jones et al., 2022). The use of Duffy’s Quality-Caring Model can positively influence the way healthcare professionals implement interventions, as it enables them to utilize improved guidelines for creating a comfortable environment for individuals with mental health issues.
The Quality-Caring Model can help improve patient-centered and personalized care for advanced nursing practice. The integration of the model can influence the fact that nurses will consider clients’ personal preferences and build relationships with them accordingly. Providing an extended level of autonomy may be beneficial for patients with mild mental impairment, as it will help build trust(Duffy, 2022). This aspect, in turn, can affect the integrity of the care delivery system, as establishing a better relationship between the patient and medical staff is a factor in accelerating recovery.
In addition, the implementation of the chosen model will allow nurses to show their leadership abilities in managing a team, as well as when interacting with other medical personnel. General professional development plays a role in facilitating career advancement. For this, interprofessional collaboration can be a practical skill, as nurses will need to excel not only in theoretical aspects of patient care but also in interdisciplinary operations. Thus, the theoretical concepts of Duffy’s Quality-Caring Model can be valuable to learn.
References
Agostinho, P., Potra, T., Lucas, P., & Gaspar, F. (2023). The Nursing Practice Environment and Patients’ Satisfaction with Nursing Care in a Hospital Context. In Healthcare (Vol. 11, No. 13, p. 1850). MDPI.
Bærøe, K., Albertsen, A., & Cappelen, C. (2023). On the anatomy of health-related actions for which people could reasonably be held responsible: A framework. In The Journal of Medicine and Philosophy: A Forum for Bioethics and Philosophy of Medicine 48(4), 384-399.
Buheji, M., Ahmed, D., & Jahrami, H. (2020). Living uncertainty in the new normal. International Journal of Applied Psychology, 10(2), 21-31.
De Castro, L., Lopez, A. A., Hamoy, G., Alba, K. C., & Gundayao, J. C. (2021). A fair allocation approach to the ethics of scarce resources in the context of a pandemic: The need to prioritize the worst‐off in the Philippines. Developing world bioethics, 21(4), 153-172.
Duffy, J. R. (2022). Quality caring in nursing and health systems: Implications for clinicians, educators, and leaders. Springer Publishing Company.
Fernanda, L., Vanessa, A., & Zaida, C. (2023). Perspective Chapter: Adaptation of the Quality-Caring Model to Hospitalized School-Aged Children and Their Parents. Nursing.
Johns Hopkins Medicine. (n. d.). Mental Health Disorder Statistics.
Jones, C. T., Griffith, C. A., Fisher, C. A., Grinke, K. A., Keller, R., Lee, H., Purdom, M. & Turba, E. (2022). Nurses in clinical trials: perceptions of impact on the research enterprise. Journal of Research in Nursing, 27(1-2), 50-65.
Knight, J. (2021). Inpatient Observation Safety Assistant Practices. SPARK, 179.
Njungwe, E. N. (2020). Using the mid-level provider screener model to decrease door-to-provider time in the emergency department. The University of Alabama in Huntsville.