Analysis of University of California in San Francisco (UCSF) Symptom Management Theory and Theory Implication for Persons with Neurological Disorders/Diseases

Abstract

Introduction. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), in 2015 neurological disorders accounted for 12% of total deaths worldwide. Presented data demonstrates that neurological neuropsychiatric disorders (NND) cause a substantial burden on global health. A majority of neurological disorders are progressive and currently have no cure.Aim. Is to evaluate current evidence of a middle range theory of Symptom Management Theory (SMT) created by University of California in San Francisco (UCSF) School of Nursing and to analyze implication of the theory for persons with NND.Material and Methods. Systematic review of the literature will be presented. SMT will be analyzed and evaluated based on Walker and Avant with special consideration to theory utilization in research encompassing NND. Study quality was assessed using the Quality Index (QI) checklist developed by Downs & Black in 1998.Results. A total of seven articles was included to support empirical relationships between SMT components evidenced in studies involving adults with neurological disorders/diseases. Overall, the literature supports SMT as a theoretical framework for symptoms management for persons with neurological disorders/diseases.Conclusions. The SMT is still in experimental stages. Analysis of the SMT proved that the theory is parsimonious, logical in its adequacy and may be generalized to other studies. This review created a solid beginning to explore recommendations to promote standards for symptom management in future investigations of NND. Further research is needed involving measurement of symptoms of multidimensional symptom management with persons with NND. (JNNN 2017;6(2):55–65)