A unitary caring science resilience-building model: Unifying the human caring theory and research-informed psychology and neuroscience evidence

Abstract

Resilience is the psychological capability to recover from difficulties quickly. Healthcare professionals are especially vulnerable to job-related stress and burnout. Unitary Caring Science is the framework for Watson’s Human Caring Theory, providing a philosophy of practice in healthcare. With the high rates of clinician burnout and psychological issues, it will be significant to unify the human caring theory with research-informed psychological and neuroscience evidence to develop clinicians’ resilience-building strategies. The purpose of this article is to introduce a Unitary Caring Science Resilience Model and explain the science behind the core strategies based on Unitary Caring Science philosophy and the psychological and neuroscience research. This model includes six strategies: Embracing loving-kindness for self and others; Nurturing interpersonal and intersubjective connections/relations; Deepening a creative use of self and sense of belonging; Balancing self-learning, self-awareness, and an evolved self-consciousness; Valuing forgiveness and releasing negativity; Inspiring and maintaining faith-hope. The caring-theory guided resilience-building strategies are proven to alleviate the depletion of clinicians’ energy and emotions. Healthcare practices are challenging but rewarding. Clinicians can be emotionally, psychologically, and physically exhausted if they always consider themselves ‘giving’ and ‘doing’ institutional tasks without a sense of purpose or fulfillment. The practice can be rewarding if it becomes more aligned with clinicians’ value to serve humanity. Through the unitary caring science resilience strategies, clinicians can build resilience as an antidote to clinician burnout and depletion.

The development of an evidence-informed Convergent Care Theory: Working together to achieve optimal health outcomes

“…Walker and Avant [ 30 ] introduced three basic approaches to theory building: derivation, synthesis, and analysis. This theory was synthesized through integrating the evidence, including empirical research and literature reviews, published by the theory-proposing author from 2015 to 2021 [ 3 , 9 , 10 , 13 , [18] , [19] , [20] , [21] , [22] , [25] , [26] , [27] , [28] , [29] , [31] , [32] , [33] , [34] , [35] , [36] , [37] , [38] , [39] , [40] , [41] , [42] , [43] , [44] , [45] , [46] , [47] , [48] , [49] , [50] , [51] , [52] ]. A summary of the theory-proposing author’s studies is listed in Table 1 .…”

“… Six major self-care strategies were identified: finding meaning in work connecting with an energy source nurturing interpersonal connections developing an attitude of positivity performing emotional hygiene recognizing one’s uniqueness and contributions at work Organizational strategies for creating a culture of well-being based on Human Caring Theory and a Self-Care ENERGY Model [ 21 ] This study described the organizational strategies implemented to help team members during the pandemic and nurses’ and patients’ experiences through the health system’s employee pulse-check surveys and patients’ Hospital Consumer Assessment of Healthcare Providers and Systems survey. The organizations’ strategies include: creating caring-healing environments supporting work-life balance creating space for self-care A unitary caring science resilience-building model: Unifying the human caring theory and research-informed psychology and neuroscience evidence [ 48 ] The purpose of this article is to introduce a Unitary Caring Science Resilience Model and explain the science behind the core strategies based on Unitary Caring Science philosophy and the psychological and neuroscience research. The caring-theory guided resilience-building strategies are proven to alleviate the depletion of clinicians’ energy and emotions.…”

“…Studies on healthcare providers’ self-care yielded noteworthy knowledge about healthcare professionals’ self-care and resilience and patients’ self-care [ 19 , 22 , 40 , 42 , 43 , [46] , [47] , [48] ]. A significant phenomenon surfaced, which is self-care, including self-care for patients and healthcare professionals.…”

Theoretical foundations for self-care practice

“…It will also be necessary to contextualize further theory development in relation to current models of occupational stress and resilience. 11,12 Just like patients, healthcare professionals are people first and foremost; ultimately, any deficit incare diminishes the capacity of healthcare professionals to bear witness to and relieve the suffering • Self-care is a relational aspect of healthcare practice • Self-compassion is a positive emotion that supports effective self-care practice in health care professionals • The relationship between self-compassion and compassion for others varies according to individual compassion literacy of patients and their families. 1 Further theory development in the areas of self-care, self-compassion and resilience is needed to support and build on existing models of occupational stress, resilience and selfawareness-based self-care.…”

Applying a Psychological Nursing Care Quality Evaluation Index in hospitalized patients: A pilot study

“…23,24 Improved nursing care translates to improved patient outcomes. 25,26 The goal is to implement the Psychological Nursing Quality Evaluation Index in other hospital units and regions. This index was initially piloted in the selected unit of one hospital.…”