The Importance of Evaluation of Theory in Nursing - Article Example

Brant, Beck, and  Miaskowski (2010) state that evaluating theories can also provide an understanding of gaps in the theory that can be filled by research by other researchers.

As an example, Brant, Beck, and Miaskowski (2010) evaluated the Theory of Symptom Management (TSM) and provided insight on why this evaluation was important. The authors state that understanding more about the interventions that are used in TSM provide a better way for nurses to develop other interventions. In this case, understanding a few ways that symptoms of some diseases are managed, can bring about other ways of managing these diseases.

            Another reason that theories are important to understand is that they can lead nurses to the discovery of other diseases and how to handle them. As an example, Boggatz and Dassen (2011) provide information on a conceptual model for understanding why older people use nursing care. Their study is important because it showed what to look for when working with older people. They point out that seeking care is a self-care process in some respects, so it becomes more important to understand older people’s motivation for seeking care. This information can also provide reasons that older people do not seek treatment.