This paper examines the application of Lydia Hall's Core, Care and Cure Theory — a prominent middle range nursing theory — to a capstone research project investigating whether a multidisciplinary approach can decrease 30-day hospital readmissions among newly diagnosed patients with Chronic Heart Failure (CHF). The paper explains the three interconnected components of Hall's model — core (the patient), care (the nurse's primary role), and cure (clinical treatment) — and justifies their relevance to holistic CHF nursing practice. It also raises a discussion question comparing middle range theories to other theoretical frameworks used in nursing research and practice.
Middle range theories are among the most commonly used theories in research, alongside grand theories. This capstone project seeks to examine whether the use of a multidisciplinary approach helps to decrease readmissions within 30 days for newly diagnosed patients with Chronic Heart Failure (CHF). The middle range theory applied to the nursing research for this project is the Core, Care and Cure Theory, developed by Lydia Eloise Hall.
Hall's theory suggests that core, care, and cure are interconnected, though they vary depending on the patient's condition (Cosejo, 2018). The theory identifies the core as the individual, or patient, receiving nursing care based on his or her own goals; the cure as the attention provided to patients by clinical professionals; and care as the primary role of a professional nurse. Together, these three components work toward promoting the health of a patient (Hall, 2012).
As a middle range nursing theory, Hall's model occupies a practical space between abstract grand theories and narrow practice-level frameworks, making it well suited to guiding research with specific patient populations.
The use of this theory in the capstone project is influenced by the fact that it provides a holistic approach to and perspective on the nursing process. Through this framework, the project examines how these three interrelated elements integrate to help decrease readmission rates among newly diagnosed CHF patients. The theory is appropriate for this project because it helps determine the holistic needs and practices of both nurses and patients (Leocadio, 2010).
A critical aspect of promoting the health and wellbeing of patient populations is identifying patients' needs and developing nursing practices to address them. When applying this theory in the capstone project, the holistic needs of newly diagnosed CHF patients are foregrounded, and nursing practices aimed at decreasing their readmission are developed accordingly. Research on heart failure readmission prevention consistently emphasizes the value of coordinated, patient-centered care — a principle that aligns directly with Hall's core-care-cure model.
The holistic and integrative nature of Hall's framework also supports the multidisciplinary team approach that this project investigates. By recognizing that the patient's goals (core), nursing care (care), and clinical treatment (cure) must all be addressed in concert, the theory provides a strong conceptual basis for cross-disciplinary collaboration in CHF management. Scholars have noted that nursing theory-guided practice tends to produce more structured and patient-responsive care plans, further justifying the selection of this model for the present research.
"Comparative question on nursing theory types"
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