Clinical Interest: Spirituality and its affects on the
development of obesity. Concept: Spirituality Spirituality has been
defined in numerous ways. These include: a belief in a power
operating in the universe that is greater than oneself, a sense of
interconnectedness with all living creatures, and an awareness of
the purpose and meaning of life and the development of personal,
absolute values. It's the way you find meaning, hope, comfort, and
inner peace in your life (University of Maryland Medical Center,
2011, What Is Spirituality, para 1). Obesity is the most common
metabolic/nutritional disease in the U.S. (Davis, 2001). Since the
1980s, obesity worldwide has more than doubled. As a result,
overweight and obesity are the fifth leading risk for global
deaths, with at least 2.8 million adults dying each year as a
result of being overweight or obese (WHO, 2012).
Slide 4
How is Katie Erikssons Theory of Caritative Care applicable to
spirituality and its affects on the development of obesity (among
adults)?
Slide 5
According to Tomey and Alligood 2006, the caritative theory is
based on the following axioms and theses, modified and clarified
from Erikssons basic assumptions with approval:
Slide 6
The human being is fundamentally an entity of body, soul, and
spirit. The human being is fundamentally a religious being, but all
human beings have not recognized this dimension. The human being is
fundamentally holy. Human dignity means accepting the human
obligation of serving with love, of existing for the sake of
others. Health means a movement in becoming, being and doing, and
striving for integrity and holiness which is compatible with
bearable suffering. The basic category of caring is suffering. The
basic motive of caring is the caritas motive. Caring implies
alleviating suffering in charity, love, faith, and hope. Natural
basic caring is expressed through tending, playing, and teaching in
a sustained caring relationship. Caring relationship forms the
meaningful context of caring and derives its origin from the ethos
of love, responsibility, and sacrifice, that is, a caritative
ethic.
Slide 7
Since the 1970s, Erikssons nursing care process model has been
systematically used, tested and developed as a basis of nursing
care and documentation at Helsinki University Central Hospital
(Tomey and Alligood, 2006). That Erikssons ideas about caring and
her nursing process model work in practice has been verified by
everything from a multiplicity of essays and tests of learning in
clinical practice to masters theses, licentiates theses, and
doctoral dissertations produced all over the Nordic countries
(Tomey & Alligood, 2006, pp. 191-223). This art of caring is
being embraced by several nursing units in the Nordic countries,
for they have based their practice and caring philosophy on
Erikssons ideas and her caritative theory. Erikssons theory has
been studied and used as the theoretical framework for a number of
research studies, journal articles and published books, in which
she authored or co-authored.
Slide 8
The Nursing Theory Philosophy Katie Erikssons Theory of
Caritative Caring is a nursing model that can be applied to
spirituality and its affects on the development of obesity.
Spirituality has often been influential in defining the value
system which shapes the life of individuals, including their past,
present and future living existence on Earth. It can be gathered
from the above, that spirituality certainly contributes, has a
voice and holds a vital position in this world, as a whole.
Slide 9
In many cases, the spiritual foundation of a patient is not
readily assessed or even incorporated because those in healthcare
lack knowledge about this component of care or because they do not
see the value of spirituality in the care of the patient. Patients
place a high value on their spiritual and emotional needs and this
correlates to patient satisfaction with care (Press Ganey, 2003).
Spiritual assessment is vital and necessary in caring for the
entire being of a patient. It just may be the key to discovering
the presence of emotional eating, depression, lack of support
system, etc. which can lead to obesity. Obesity has risen to
epidemic levels within the United States, (NIH, 2012)
Slide 10
In the U.S. today, more than one-third of the adult population
suffers with obesity. This drastic increase in obesity within the
United States has occurred over the last 20 years. Two of the
greatest issues with obesity is its cost and potential cause of
other chronic medical conditions. Spirituality is a concept of
significance because it aids the healthcare provider, in being
better at service to his/her patient population while increasing
the potential for more therapeutic outcomes. Application of
Erikssons nursing theory philosophy, causes all parties involved
both patient and caregiver, to view and adapt a caring system that
involves the totality of the individual. This involves the humans
body, soul and spirit.
Slide 11
THEORETICAL DEFINITION Merriam-Webster Dictionary defines
spirituality as: The state, quality, manner, or fact of being
spiritual (Merriam-Webster Online Dictionary, 2012).
Merriam-Webster Dictionary defines spiritual as: Of, relating to,
consisting of, or having the nature of spirit; not tangible or
material (Merriam-Webster Online Dictionary, 2012). The way forward
is to think of spirituality in terms to its relevance and
importance to individuals in their everyday lives (McSherry, 2006).
The theory supports the above definition in that it notes a very
key component that Eriksson expresses in her model. This key
component is caring for the whole being which includes the
spiritual aspect or make- up of the individual. In fact, the model
suggests that the only way to care most effectively is by meeting
all the needs of the patient because he or she is a religious being
in some shape or another.
Slide 12
OPERATIONAL DEFINITION There are a number of tools available
for obtaining spiritual assessment. Example: Spiritual Needs Index,
Herman 2007. The definition above is supported by the theory in
that the tool used is assessing the spiritual needs of those being
served. The theory of caritative caring suggests that when
providing total care, the spiritual component of the individual
must be assessed because it plays a vital part in how well the
patient will be cared for, as well as, the overall healing
outcome.
Slide 13
It is believed and thought in some cases, that spirituality and
obesity are linked. It is assumed that depending on the foundation
of one's spirituality, one could possibly suffer or be at risk for
becoming obese. With rising obesity levels, it is of great
necessity that all that can be done happen, in an effort, to
prevent an even greater prevalence from occurring, as well as all
of its' detrimental effects. If healthcare providers are
intentional above assessing a patient's spirituality, and
developing plans of care based on this premise and if obesity and
spirituality are linked, it may be possible to halt or decrease the
development of obesity. With the incorporation of the Theory of
Caritative Caring, it charges the provider to view the patient and
care for the patient holistically, which causes the spiritual
foundation to be known, thus providing a possible clue to the
likelihood of obesity forming based on the patient's spiritual
stance and perspective. If this is noted early enough, this
devastating phenomenon obesity, can be prevented as healthcare
providers, aid it helping individuals define their spirituality as
well as help educate them about the importance and role of it in
their lives so they do not have to become prey to this
life-threatening condition.
Slide 14
Davis, F.A. (2001). Tabers cyclopedia medical dictionary.
Philadelphia, PA. F. A.Davis Company Herman, C.P. (2007). The
degree to which spiritual needs of patients near the end of life
are met. Oncology Nursing Forum, 34(1), 70-78. Retrieved from
CINAHL with full text. Merriam-Webster On-Line Dictionary (2012).
Retrieved from http://www.merriam-webster.com
http://www.merriam-webster.com
Slide 15
McSherry W 2006 Principle Components Model: a Model for
Advancing Spirituality and Spiritual Care within Nursing and Health
Care Practice. McSherry, W. (2006). The Principle Components Model:
a Model for Advancing Spirituality and Spiritual Care within
Nursing and Health Care Practice. Journal of Clinical Nursing, 15,
905-917. Retrieved from Medline database. National Institutes of
Health (2012). Obesity. Retrieved November 15, 2012 from
http://health.nih.gov/topic/Obesityhttp://health.nih.gov/topic/Obesity
Slide 16
Press Ganey (2003). Press Ganey knowledge summary: Patient
satisfaction with emotional and spiritual care. Retrieved September
28, 2012, from http://www.pressganey.comhttp://www.pressganey.com
Tomey, A.M. & Alligood, M.R. (2006). Nursing theorists and
their work. St. Louis, Missouri. Mosby Elsevier. University of
Maryland Medical Center (2011). What is spirituality? Retrieved
September 25, 2012 from
http://www.umm.edu/altmed/articles/spirituality-000360.htm
http://www.umm.edu/altmed/articles/spirituality-000360.htm
