What Is Meleis Theory Of Patient Transition

The Theory In 2000, Meleis created a theory that not only explains the experience of transitions of patients across many spectra such as coping with a new diagnosis or treatment, becoming a parent, or transitioning into the end of life, but also outlines predictive reasons for how and why patients react to transitions in the way that they do.
Properties of the Theory When describing the theory of transitions, Meleis discusses several properties which predict the outcome of a patient when experiencing transitions. These properties work together to affect how a patient experiences transition and how much an impact a specific position will have on a patient. Awareness. Meleis describes awareness as the recognition a patient has toward a transitional
event. However, although awareness may play a key role in the level of impact that a transition has on a patient, it is not essential for transition to take place. Engagement.
Meleis defines engagement as the amount that a patient is involved in his or her transition. While some patients may behave passively toward a new diagnosis, treatment, or life transition, other may seek out information, prepare for changes, and find the resources necessary to ease into the change. By doing so, Meleis considers these engaged patients and proposes that these patients will have an easier time moving into the transition. Change and difference. While it may seem as though change and difference are the same as the transition itself, that is not the case. While the transition itself is, in fact, a change, the change and difference that Meleis refers to change and difference in terms of how the specific transition impacts a patients daily life. For instance, the same transition between two people may cause a vastly different change or difference in that persons life. Time span. While the length of time of a transition may not be definite, Meleis states that it is an important piece of how a transition will impact a patient. In fact, Meleis states that putting a limitation on the amount of time that a transition can or should take place is not only impossible, but may also be counterproductive to the healing and health of the
patient. Critical points and events. According to Meleis, some events have critical points which mark that transition specifically. For instance, life events such as childbirth, death, diagnosis of an illness, or the start of a new treatment are all specific moments in time that mark the beginning of a transition.
Applications to Nursing While transitions and major life events occur in everyday life, Meleis’ theory of transitions has a specific application to nursing.
In an article by Lewis, she makes a point to note that in some instances, such as at the end of life transition, just as with other diagnoses, nurses are often the main interaction that patients have with the medical field. While doctors are present for many moments, it is often the nurses that provide the routine care and interact on the deepest level with patients and act as not only care takers, but educators and advocates as well. This author believes that because of this distinctive roll, nurses have an especially unique ability to help patients through transitional times. By understanding the tenants outlining a patients upcoming transition, nurses can explain to patients what to expect as well as give them resources and provide them with coping mechanisms and expectations for upcoming
changes. It is also important to note, as discussed by Woodcock, changes in care, such as a new provider, new setting, or new treatment plan also count in terms of a large transition. By staying aware of this fact and understanding that the change in care can be a stressful time for patients, nurses can become aware of said changes and attempt to streamline care and communicate thoroughly with patients in order to ease worries and complications. According to Woodcock, among other things, staying patient-centered and collaborating with other health professionals, the worries of care transitions can be eased. In terms of transitions as a whole, from when changing care to when a new diagnosis is given to a patient, according to Schulman-Green, patient education and self-management are critical in easing transitions. By allowing patients to understand not only their diagnosis, but also their treatment and how to help and advocate for themselves, nurses are able to ease the unknown factor and allow patients to ease through transitions. By allowing patients to understand their diagnoses further and educating them on their medical status, according to Loughman, it will not only help them ease through the transitional time, but also reduce the likelihood of a readmission. By doing so, patients will endure less medical treatment which equates to many fewer transitions over the course of their illness.