APPLYING CULTURAL CARE THEORY TO RESEARCH: HANTAVIRUS PREVENTIVE CARE PRACTICES

Abstract

INTRODUCTION: Nursing research arises from the needs and experiences in practice and should contribute to generate, redefine and update nursing knowledge by testing or developing new nursing theories.  New or updated knowledge generated or updated should return and improve the practice of nursing care directed to persons, family, and community.  However, sometimes the interrelationship between research and theory is not clear, thus affecting the relevance of the application of nursing theories in nursing care practice.  OBJECTIVE: The present reflection responds to the aim of exemplifying how Leininger's Theory of Cultural Care Universality and Diversity was applied to the study of the phenomenon of hantavirus preventive care practices.  DEVELOPMENT: Critical systematization of the research experience through a methodological proposal that describes how Leininger's Theory of Cultural Care Universality and Diversity guided the research process on hantavirus preventive practices, personal and social factors, lifestyles, and cultural beliefs.  CONCLUSIONS: A fundamental element in all nursing research is to clearly and explicitly showing how theory interfaces with all phases of research and consequently generates nursing knowledge for caring practice.