Barbara Carper's Five Ways Of Knowing

Barbara Carper has created four ways of knowing with the addition from White in 1995 resulting in five ways of knowing. The first way of knowing is through empirics, or the scientific knowledge of nursing. Although individuals living with chronic or palliative diseases require more social supports, they often receive less and are left to deal with the physical, and psychological challenges associated with the disease. The degree of psychological impact depends largely on the disease itself. The effects of chronic diseases on loneliness are scientifically identified through a qualitative research study. My client had COPD, which was largely affecting his independence and ability to perform activities of daily living. O.D.’s dyspnea prevented
In addition, it was proven that there was more intense loneliness in patients with COPD due to a decreased feeling of proper support. (Penninx et al., 1999) Penninx et al. suggest that COPD produces an increased feeling of loneliness because of the nature of the disease occurring in periods of exacerbation and mild symptoms. This causes there to be different extents of support required at different periods of the disease, and the support system members are often unaware of exacerbation periods. Using the empiric way of knowing, it is evident there is a scientific connection between chronic illness, particularly lung disease, and a feeling of loneliness, which my client so deeply experienced. Contributing to the patient’s psychological stress of living with a chronic illness, is the financial burden COPD placed on my client, by looking at this aspect we are using the socio-political way of knowing. While caring for D.O., he voiced his concerns with me about the extensive costs of being a long-term care resident. I could see the stress this had caused my patient as he was looking at his finances and how he could cut