An application of Nightingale’s environmental theory in telenursing

Abstract

Background

Nightingale emphasized in her theory that care environments have a significant effect on health outcomes. Telenursing, a remote delivery of nursing practice, occurs in diverse individual environments; however, there is a lack of discussion on these environments using Nightingale’s theory compared with traditional clinical settings.

Purpose

The objective in this paper is to conduct a theory analysis of Nightingale’s environmental theory and explore how to apply the bedside nursing theory to remote healthcare delivery: telenursing.

Methods

Walker and Avant’s strategies for theory analysis were utilized.

Discussion

Nightingale’s theory was evaluated as a scientifically grounded framework, with its concepts remaining unchanged when applying the theory to telenursing. Considering the differences between telenursing and in-person care, self-care management and digital health technologies play a crucial role in applying the theory in telenursing.

Conclusion

Nightingale’s environmental theory is useful in telenursing, where self-care management and digital health technologies can facilitate patients' care environments management.