Case Scenario Mrs. Smith is a 40-year-old female with a diagnosis of inoperable bowel obstruction with ovarian cancer. She was offered to be in a clinical trial for a medication to treat the cancer …show more content…
Smith’s cancer and trial for the medication. The nurse gave the material to Mrs. Smith and told her to consider the information. The nurse states, “I hope this information could help you make a decision.” Since the nurse did not give an explanation, Mrs. Smith could not understand all the written information. This resulted in Mrs. Smith changing healthcare providers in hopes of receiving better information about her cancer and potential treatment. The nurses advocated on Mrs. Smith’s behalf by obtaining the information but failed to portray the additional attributes of advocacy in this …show more content…
In the concept analysis by Baldwin (2003), the implications for nursing practice were divided into assessment, planning, advocating, and evaluating. The antecedents, consequences, and advocacy skills were classified under assessment. Planning included patient participation and decision-making strategies. Advocating was using relationship building skills, promoting and protecting patient rights, and informing and supporting the patient. Evaluation was assessed through consequences as the criteria of effectiveness. Nursing education and in-service training is an important aspect in educating nursing students and professional nurses on the need of advocacy in nursing practice. Nursing education should continue to place emphasis on ethical codes of conduct in relation to patient advocacy. The Chief Nursing Officer, nursing services, and nursing licensing body should work together to support nurses for implementing advocacy in their nursing