A Systematic Review of the Congruence Between People's Needs and Nurses' Interventions for Supporting Hope

Abstract

Purpose(1) This systematic review of nursing research from 1987 to 1999 was conducted to explore the factors people identify as supportive of hope, the interventions nurses use to support hope, and the congruence between these two sets of studies. Conclusions(2) The factors supporting hope for patients and families found most frequently were social and professional support, cognitive strategies, spiritual or religious activities, relying on inner resources, and setting goals. Nurses used interventions to support families, assist with goal setting and distraction, affirm patient worth, and provide symptom relief. There was substantial congruence between people's needs and nursing actions. The main incongruence was the lack of interventions supporting spiritual practices. Implications(3) Nurses should continue current practices to nurture hope in their patients and clients. In addition, nurses need to provide spiritual care as an intervention that supports hope. There is a need for further research on nursing interventions to stimulate hope as well as research to understand the differences and relationships among hope, hopelessness, coping, courage, wellbeing, and spirituality. Research to understand hope in cultures outside of the mainstream United States culture is also needed.

Effectiveness of nursing intervention for increasing hope in patients with cancer: a meta-analysis

“…This effect was not found for two trials with breast cancer patients and four trials with other cancers. The result is consistent with another study in this field 37 . However, more RCTs on various types of cancer will be needed to confirm our conclusion.…”

The Swedish version of Herth Hope Index – an instrument for palliative care

“…However, in an interview study involving family caregivers of terminally ill patients, hope was defined as an inner power that enables transcendence of the present situation and also enables a new awareness of being (7). In a systematic review of the congruence between patients’ and family members’ needs and the nurses’ interventions (22), it was stated that the factors supporting hope for patients and family members were social and professional support, cognitive strategies, spiritual or religious activities, relying on inner resources, and setting goals. The hardest challenge for families in palliative care is to maintain hope while facing that a loved family member is dying and fading away (23).…”

Parents’ Experience of Hope When Their Child Has Cancer: Perceived Meaning and the Influence of Health Care Professionals

“…Indeed, maintaining hope and believing and trusting in God have been identified as frequently used positive coping behaviors by parents of children with cancer (Patterson et al, 2004). Hope is identified as a positive coping factor for adults with cancer (Holt, 2001; Rustoen, Cooper, & Miaskowski, 2011), adolescents with cancer (Haase, 2004; Hinds et al, 1999), and parents of children and adolescents with chronic illnesses (Granek et al, 2013; Kylmä & Juvakka, 2007). The concept of hope in parents of children with cancer, however, has been more fully explored in the context of palliative care and in those with poor prognoses (Feudtner et al, 2007; Granek et al, 2013; Keene Reder & Serwint, 2009).…”