Uncertainty In Illness Theory By Dr. Merle Mishel

Nursing theories are imperative to better quality care for the nurses in the medical care facilities. This research acknowledges that there are three distinct type of nursing theories including grand nursing and middle range theory. Another type is the nursing practice theories. However, the research focuses on the Uncertainty in Illness Theory by Dr. Merle Mishel. The main concepts identified in theory are cognitive schema and uncertainty. Also, the research identifies illness construct as the central theme interrelated with the concepts as mentioned earlier. Additionally, the study identifies that the theory has both a clinical application for the nurses and application in academic studies. Understating the theory will help nurses to understand the patient better, and offer better care for the patient. Uncertainty in Illness Theory
Introduction
Nursing theories refers to the set of relationships, concepts, and propositions that are
Merle Mishel developed uncertainty in illness theory in the 1980s. Mishel was born in Boston, Massachusetts in the year 1939 (Elphee, 2008). Some of her academic achievements include a Master of Science degree in Psychiatric Nursing (University of California), Masters of Arts, and a Doctorate in Social Psychology from Claremont Graduate School. In her career development, she focused on the development of the middle range theory. Uncertainty in illness theory was developed around the phenomena of illness that was not very well known in the 1970s. Initially, there was an inadequate investigation of the concept of uncertainty and how the perpetual variable affects the illness related appraisals. In this regard, there was no scale that could evaluate this phenomenon and give desirable results. However, Mishel was helped by the National Research Service Award to develop the Uncertainty in Illness Scale. It is through this development that a foundation was set for the development of the much desired mid- range theory in