Case Study: The Gate Control Theory
Have you questioned the relevance of taking a theory course in your graduate nursing program, or the usefulness of theory in nursing practice? In the case study provided, Julia Costales was skeptical about theory in nursing practice, and on a day at the veterans’ administration (VA) inpatient medical unit, she was caring for a complex patient. The medical unit’s acute care nurse practitioner challenged her to identify theories that would help guide care for her patient. McEwen (2014a) explains that, “Use of theory also promotes rational and systematic practice by challenging and validating intuition. Theories make nursing practice more overtly purposeful by stating not only the focus of practice but also specific goals and outcomes” (p. 25).
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McEwen (2014b) identifies that these theories have been tested extensively with a goal of identifying the cause, improve the patient’s care, and finding care. Julia could use these theories to help guide her patient’s care in all aspects.
The Gate Control Theory (GCT) helps to explain the relationship between pain and emotion, and Julia’s patient suffers from chronic pain (McEwen, 2014b). Julia can utilize this theory to help her patient’s pain management and guide improvement when necessary. McEwen (2014b) identifies a key point, “Pain management is a vital part of nursing practice; nurses are continually researching how to improve pain management” (p. 351).
Julia’s patient reports concerns about his current illness and hospitalization because he has started a new job recently (***cite?). In addition to the previously covered theories, the Interpersonal Theory could also be considered in his care. Sullivan (1953) based his theory “on the premise that an individual does not, and cannot, exist apart from his or her relations with other people” (as cited in Garner, 2014, p. 311). Additionally, Sullivan (1953) mentions that anxiety can reduce efficacy in care (as cited in Garner, 2014). Furthermore, because Julia’s patient is exhibiting some anxiety about his illness and recent job, this theory could be considered in his
McEwen (2014b) identifies that these theories have been tested extensively with a goal of identifying the cause, improve the patient’s care, and finding care. Julia could use these theories to help guide her patient’s care in all aspects.
The Gate Control Theory (GCT) helps to explain the relationship between pain and emotion, and Julia’s patient suffers from chronic pain (McEwen, 2014b). Julia can utilize this theory to help her patient’s pain management and guide improvement when necessary. McEwen (2014b) identifies a key point, “Pain management is a vital part of nursing practice; nurses are continually researching how to improve pain management” (p. 351).
Julia’s patient reports concerns about his current illness and hospitalization because he has started a new job recently (***cite?). In addition to the previously covered theories, the Interpersonal Theory could also be considered in his care. Sullivan (1953) based his theory “on the premise that an individual does not, and cannot, exist apart from his or her relations with other people” (as cited in Garner, 2014, p. 311). Additionally, Sullivan (1953) mentions that anxiety can reduce efficacy in care (as cited in Garner, 2014). Furthermore, because Julia’s patient is exhibiting some anxiety about his illness and recent job, this theory could be considered in his