Symptom management theory applied to nursing care: scoping review

Abstract

Objectives: to identify publications about the applicability of the Symptom Management Theory in nursing care to pediatric, adolescent, adult and elderly patients. Methods: scoping review following the steps: definition of the objective, research question and inclusion criteria; search, selection and analysis of publications; synthesis of results. The search occurred in the VHL, SciELO, CAPES and PubMed Journals Portal bases, contemplating publications between 1994 and July 2020. Results: out of 3,286 studies, ten were selected, published between 2008 and 2019. They described the relationships between the participants and the domains (person, environment, health and disease), components (symptom experience, management strategies, results) and presented strategies for symptom management. Conclusions: the Symptom Management Theory was considered applicable to the participants of the studies and to nursing care. It was concluded that understanding the interaction of these elements is essential to plan actions aimed at controlling symptoms effectively.

Taste alterations in patients following hematopoietic stem cell transplantation: A qualitative study

“…Symptom Management Theory (SMT) provides useful guidance for oncology research and nursing practice. 29 , 30 SMT includes three core concepts: symptom experience, components of symptom management strategies, and outcomes, which are affected by the person, environment, health, and illness. 31 It emphasizes the importance of how individuals perceive, interpret, and respond to symptoms during their illness.…”

“It was terrible, I didn’t sleep for two years”: A mixed methods exploration of sleep and its effects among family caregivers of in-home hospice patients at end-of-life

“…38,39 Symptom Management Theory, a middle range model that illustrates the multidimensional process of symptom management, guided study design. 40,41 This theory includes three components of symptom management: the symptom experience, symptom management strategies, and What this paper adds? • • Caregivers of dying persons receiving in-home hospice endure particularly poor sleep and negative effects on energy, mood, performance, and health that may extend into bereavement yet do not receive adequate support for sleep health.…”

“…38,39 Symptom Management Theory, a middle range model that illustrates the multidimensional process of symptom management, guided study design. 40,41 This theory includes three components of symptom management: the symptom experience, symptom management strategies, and outcomes. 40,41 These components influenced qualitative interview question development and the use of survey instrument data (e.g.…”

“…40,41 This theory includes three components of symptom management: the symptom experience, symptom management strategies, and outcomes. 40,41 These components influenced qualitative interview question development and the use of survey instrument data (e.g. anxiety, depression, quality of life measures) to explore the interrelated nature of sleep symptoms and management.…”