Jm. Morse et al., FROM THEORY TO PRACTICE - THE DEVELOPMENT OF ASSESSMENT GUIDES FROM QUALITATIVELY DERIVED THEORY, Qualitative health research, 8(3), 1998, pp. 329-340
In this article, a method of using qualitative research findings to de
velop a patient assessment guide is described. Qualitatively derived t
heory is deconstructed to form the theoretical components of the guide
. Nursing assessment questions and behavioral signs are then elicited
from the theory. Intervention strategies are extrapolated both from th
eory and from clinical nursing knowledge. Finally, the assessment guid
e is implemented and evaluated using techniques of qualitative outcome
analysis to modify the guide and expand the repertoire of interventio
n strategies. This process is illustrated using two projects: hope (fi
om concept analysis) and living with bipolar disorders (from grounded
theory). Assessment guides provide a method for directly applying qua
litative research to practice and constitute a valid and useful means
of patient assessment and intervention.