Concept Analysis

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Application of Concept Analysis to Clinical Practice
Authors Walker and Avant (2011) defined concept analysis as an “approach to clarify the meaning of the term, and to define the term so that writers and readers shared a common language” (McEwen & Wills, 2014, p. 58). The purpose of this peer-reviewed concept analysis article was to analyze the conceptual meaning of patient’s vulnerability perioperatively using Walker and Avant’s (2005) eight stages of concept analysis framework (Cousley, Martin, & Hoy, 2014). The authors of this article presented each stage of the concept analysis with definition, and a thorough explanation was illustrated. Moreover, this writer selected this article for her to gain knowledge about the concept analysis …show more content…

Hence, they are vulnerable due to the possible risk of injury, and from any actual or potential complications related to anesthesia and surgery (Cousley, Martin, & Hoy, 2014). Researchers A. Cousely, D.S.E. Martin, and L. Hoy conducted a study, entitled ‘Vulnerabililty in the perioperative patient: a concept analysis,’ using Walker and Avant’s (2005) concept analysis framework. According to the researchers, Walker and Avant (2005) formulated an eight-stage process of concept analysis, in order to delineate the fundamental element of a concept. This methodology was to generate a consistent description so that a concept has validity in nursing practice (Cousley, Martin, & Hoy, 2014). The first step of the analysis was to choose a concept and identify the aims or purposes of analysis. In this step, researchers selected vulnerability concept as it was correlated to a perioperative patient. The purpose of this selection was to examine and analyze comprehensively the concept (Cousley, …show more content…

In relation to the perioperative patient, social aspects consisted of demographic data on age, gender, ethnic background, health status, and perceived danger. Psychological aspects of vulnerability in a perioperative state involved patient’s response to stress that causes anxiety and dependence by exposure to planned anesthesia and surgery. Physical vulnerability was resulted through physiological signs, and symptoms of anxiety, which triggered to release a surge of hormones, in order to combat stress (Cousley, Martin, & Hoy, 2014). Researchers also considered personal factors can heighten vulnerability. They noted that the person’s characteristics, such as genetic makeup, behavior, susceptibility to illness, and demographic data, and the acquired characteristics, such as experiences, how the patient responds to unforeseen situations, and the use of coping mechanisms, were also identified (Cousley, Martin, & Hoy, 2014). In addition, vulnerability was exhibited in a perioperative intervention through manifestations of various emotions from fear of the unknown, fear of being sick, and fear for one’s life (Cousley, Martin, & Hoy,

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