A Nursing Model for Managing Uncertainty in Illness and Enhancing Self-Efficacy Among Older Adult Patients with Ischemic Stroke: A case study

Abstract

Abstract: Older people experiencing their first stroke must cope with the issue of illness uncertainty, which has far-reaching consequences for both patient and family. The causes are often from a lack of understanding about the ailment, behavioral patterns, therapy choices, and determining the severity of affliction. This article presents an application of nursing model for managing uncertainty in illness combined with enhancing self-efficacy in a case study of geriatric stroke patients who had issues of health status perception and health behaviors which could delay post-illness rehabilitation. A self-efficacy framework was used as a guide which included verbal persuasion, viewing examples and experiences from others, assessing one's own successful experiences, and addressing physical and emotional environments throughout hospitalization phase. After application of this nursing model, it was shown to assist patients to set the goal for modifying health behaviors to prevent stroke recurrence with the engagement of family members. Patients were able to adopt appropriate health behaviors and felt confidence in self-care at home. This improves the patient’s quality of life and helps prevent stroke recurrence.