Amavasee Ampunsiriratana. A palliated suffering model for HIV-infected patients : a combination of the four foundations of mindfulness and watson's caring . Doctoral Degree(Public Health Nursing). Mahidol University. : Mahidol University, 2003.
A palliated suffering model for HIV-infected patients : a combination of the four foundations of mindfulness and watson's caring
Abstract:
This study is action research which aimed to develop a palliating suffering
model among HIV-infected patients by training in establishing the Four Foundations
of Mindfulness in combination with Watson’s caring. The participants consisted of
sixteen HIV-infected patients in community therapy, in the northern part of Thailand.
The data were collected and analyzed by quantitative and qualitative techniques.
Results showed that the participants cultivated self-healing to alleviate their
sufferings. Eleven cases had an increase in body weight of about 0.5-5 kilograms,
decrease in complications, and increase in finger temperature. After training, the
healthy factors score was higher than before training. The developed palliating
suffering model was composed of 4 cycles as follows: 1) from the sufferings of life
and hopelessness to vitality and merit; 2) life understanding from self realization
leading to behavioral changes; 3) initiation of self-healing and discovering a candle of
light; and 4) peacefulness leading to happiness in a human life and being with the
Dhamma healing. The combined caring strategies included: 1) relationship with
kindness; 2) self-awareness while caring; 3) competency strengthening; 4) reflection;
and 5) being part of the participants’ lives. The training strategies included: 1) mental
preparation for healthy factors; 2) being aware of the present moment; 3) teaching and
being a role model; 4) undertaking the precepts; 5) continuing the reinforcement of
faith; and 6) stimulating modesty, discretion, loving-kindness, and compassion.
This study developed an advanced nurses’ role to alleviate the sufferings of
HIV-infected patients in order to cultivate a self-healing process. For implications, the
researcher suggests that this model should be applied to nursing education, services,
and research in the field of nursing and public health nursing.