Application to Practice of King’s Goal Attainment Theory

At a time when nursing was in its early stages of being considered as a science discipline, Imogene King conceptualized her theory with an approach to building a relationship between the discipline and research to build scientific knowledge.  King was focused on expanding the knowledge base of the practice and began formulating her theory while working as a Professor at Loyola University.  Her theory is coined from the idea of Karl Ludwig von Bertalanffy’s general theory system, a theory of interrelatedness to show how each system connects to tell a story.  As such, the conceptual system’s background was the study of systems as a whole and not in parts, to gain a better understanding of the bigger picture.  First presentation of Imogene King’s theory of goal attainment was in the 1960s. The theory defines an interpersonal relationship between a nurse and a client, wherein the client learns to develop and attain specific goals.  This theory is based on the affiliation formed between a nurse and her client, with a notion that the care of human beings is the focus of nursing.  “An overall assumption is that the focus of nursing is human beings interacting with their environment leading to health” (King 2007, p. 109).  The individuals involved in the relationship diligently work together and communicate information, congruently set desired goals that are mutually acceptable.  Together, they work as a team to formulate a plan to accomplish those goals.  The association of each member is unique, and they each play an active role, and each party brings their own varied perception and level of comprehension to the bond. 

The purpose of this paper is to show an approach to using the goal attainment theory in practice.  Interactions of each member of the relationship allows for growth and development; However, the concepts of theory inform its readers of factors that can affect the trajectory of attaining goals.  Factors such as, roles, stress, space, and time are hurdles that need to be overcome to achieve a desire outcome.  One major concern of this theory is functional status of the nurse in relation to patients.  With the well-being of each patient remaining a concern for nurses; the understanding and development of this theory helps nurse to gain light on helping patients to realize and achieving their goals.  In gaining an understanding of this application, a case study will be utilized to show how this theory can be put into action. 

Theory Description

King’s aim in developing her theory was to prove that nursing is a multifaceted role that is firmly rooted on research, she worked to expand the paradigms of nursing concepts.  King’s theory of goal attainment is based on a philosophical concern of human beings and their interaction with their environment.  This system consists of three concepts, which was collective to the role of nursing: Social system, health perception and interpersonal relationships.  King’s theory detailed the vitality of the participation of each party within the relationship in actively making decisions and is reflective on interaction, perception, and communication.  Effective communication helps to gather pertinent information to set mutual goals.  As such, King’s belief in the practice is detailed in her theory.  She believed that nursing is varied from other health discipline by the tasks performed by nurses, their goal is the care of the patient as well as well-being maintenance.  The role of nursing, as seen by King is achieved by “Helping individuals to attain, maintain, or restore health.  To achieve this outcome nurses and clients engage in interactions of verbal and nonverbal communication” (Sitzman and Eichelberge, 2017, p. 145).  She had values and beliefs that were strongly upheld by the nursing profession.  Values of strength, honesty, truth and morality all of which commiserates with King’s belief, rings true to those honored by the American Nurses Association.  “King’s values and beliefs include honesty, integrity, justice, and respect for every human being.  There are three basic rights relative to the autonomy of the nurse and the autonomy of the patient: privacy, self-determination, and information to make informed choices” (King 2007, p. 109).  Each person in a therapeutic relationship is autonomous, and they ought to make their voices heard.  “The focus of nursing is the care of people, with explicit goals.  This goal is health, meaning that nursing phenomena are concerned with the health of individuals, the health of groups and the health of society” (King 1997, p. 180).

Analysis and Assessment

Nurses work within domains of families, individuals and communities to conduct transactions with the aim of goal attainment to maintain a state of well-being for clients.  Dr. Imogene King four levels of meta-paradigm within her theory; health, person, environment and nursing.  Human beings are unique in their own way and are capable of making decisions, they think, feel and perceive.  Each human being has three central needs, these establish the need for health information, the need for preventative measures, and Helpance with self-care deficits when needed.  Health, she explains, is life experiences which is a continuous alteration and adaptation to stressors of the environment.  The Environment is the realm of human interactions, it allows nurses to perceive the clients and their ability to adapt to the stressors of the environ. Stressors can either be internal or external, and humans have the capability to adjust to stressors and the continuous changes that often occur.  Nursing is a role where actions and interactions help to Help clients in attaining and maintaining ideal health.

The theory assumes explicitly that the care of human beings is the focus of nursing, with a goal of health for the consort.  Human beings interact constantly with their environment.  As such, each person understands their environment and can make transactions within that environment.  An assumption is made that nurse and client communicate, interact, set goals and frame transactions to achieve those goals.  With these assumptions being identified, the theory proposes that once an accurate interaction is achieved within the nurse-client dyad, a transaction will ultimately occur.

Communication is vital in achieving a goal, when people interact, an understanding or misunderstanding occur, this is dependent on the level of interference.  “Mutual goals are based on the identification of problems, changes in health, perceptions of problems and sharing of information in order to achieve goals” (Araújo, Silva, Moreira, Almeida, Freitas, & Guedes 2018, p. 1095).  The process of interacting with patients follows the trend of the nursing process (as depicted in chart #1: nursing process), with a system of interrelated actions.  Assessment is the perception of the client and nurse, the initial meet.  The diagnostic phase is the communication process between both parties where both parties interact with each other and concerns are identified, judgement is made.  Judgement leads to reaction and if both parties are not in congruence with each other.  The planning phase is where a decision-making action pertaining to implied and desire goals is determined (when possible).  Agreement to ways of achieving goals are made and a transaction is initiated.  Implementation phase constitutes continuation of a transaction, one that is made between the nurse and client.  Assessment is used to determined if goals are attained or not.  If not, then the transaction needs to be reevaluated and a new plan is then developed.  Goal attainment is achieved when a service is offered to patient by a nurse, the goal developed is one formulated through a reciprocal relationship, where mutual and purposeful interactions are evident. 

In shaping the goals with patient, a series of actions are determined by the nurse.  These strategies guide the nurse in organizing information about the patient’s care.  In table #1, the nurse uses information and data that are individualized to the patient and tailored to meet the specific needs of the client. In developing a careful, specific and precise plan of care the nurse first needs to collect data by assessing the patient. Next, this data is analyzed and organized to help with the formulation of nursing diagnoses.  The nurse then needs to set priorities in determining the best steps to take.  By doing this, the nurse along with the patient establishes a goal and set desired outcomes to achieve.  The interventions that are essential to fulfill the goals are then determined.  To give clarity, rationales are sought out, this helps the nurse to evaluate the plan and make any adjustments that may be required. 

Nurses communicate with their patients daily, and without realizing it, their role provides them with the opportunity to form a bond with patent.  This theory was chosen as communication on my part as a nurse is vital in helping the patients achieve an amicable outcome.  Before reading and understanding the concepts of Dr. King’s theory, I would consider myself a novice in the comprehension of this theory.  The familiarity that each person has a role of health maintenance and a level well-being to accomplish was understandable.  However, the direction and how to effectively help these patients was somewhat lacking.  The nurse does not control outcomes but work together with the clients to achieve the desired goals.  Clients are autonomous and are therefore, responsible for their own well-being.  This theory helped me gain clarity on the trajectory to help a patient develop their goals.  It helped me to understand how perception can miscue meanings, lead to bad judgement and ineffective planning.  Building a bond and remaining true to the needs of the client is vital, as learned from this theory. This bond is a part of a therapeutic relationship, one that helps both parties to gain a better understanding of the situation.  This level of understanding is communicated in chart #2 (goal attainment transaction diagram).  As nurses we each need to help our client maintain an optimal level of health, by doing this we use proficient communication skills to develop an understanding to help each patient recognize their need.  The theory of goal attainment helps us gain skills necessary to guide our patients.  The era of healthcare is focused on a patient-centered care.  “King’s theory is even more relevant as healthcare has placed an increased emphasis on client needs and preferences. Thus, providing an important lens through which to evaluate the nurse-client dyads’ implications for goal-setting and client satisfaction related to functional status” (Caceres, B. A. 2015, p. 151).  Communication is vital in all aspects of nursing and nurses communicate with their client to gain an understanding of their needs, as such, the theory of goal attainment can be applied in a variety of nurse-client settings.  Whether inpatient or outpatient use, the theory is readily understood.  It is broken down in term that does not speak complexity.

With the theory having multiple concepts, it is complex, however, it is easily understood and clearly defined as Dr. King sought to portray the theory development.  The theorist maintains consistency with her breakdown of each layer of the theoretical concepts and showing connectedness to each level.  Its adequate, as the author gave an extensive general idea of expected standards required by each party involved.  The role of the nurse was clearly defined as well as that of the patient.  It is therefore, logically relevant for the practice of nursing. There is reality convergenceas the basic premise of this theory is accepted and the author builds on her idea of patients and nurses working together to achieve a mutual goal. 

In conclusion, the Theory of goal attainment focuses on the nurse-patient relationship.  Mutual goal setting can be attained while incorporating the models of the interrelated systems. The nursing paradigms and nursing process outline methods by which goals are attained by the patient and nurse together. 

Case Study

Kim is a 30-year-old female who was admitted for Assessment after palpating a lump in her left breast.  She noticed an unusual drainage from the breast and started feeling moderate pain.  A mammogram and biopsy were done, which revealed stage three (3) breast cancer.  Kim’s breast tumor is 8 cm, and there is fixed lymph node involvement in the axillary. Kim was noted to have infiltrating ductal carcinoma of the left breast.  Kim underwent a total mastectomy to her left breast, soon after the diagnosis.  Her medical history revealed that she infrequently visited her primary physician.  Kim was oblivious to her medical condition, and only noticed the lump after the other symptoms were present.  She stands at 5 feet, 8 inches tall and weighs 115 lbs. She normally weighs roughly 130 lbs.  She is married, and currently lives with her husband and three children in her mother-in-law’s home. she doesn’t appear to be happy about the living arrangements and states that the house is unsanitary.  She is a stay-at-home mother, and her husband is currently unemployed.  Kim is stable after surgery and doing well but has issues emptying her bladder.  She has 2 JP tubes in place for drainage.  She complains of constant postoperative pain and rates her pain scale at 6-7/10 and is also experiencing nausea and emesis.  She will need to perform intermittent self-catheterization as well as empty and record her JP drainage once discharged.  She is prescribed a prophylactic antibiotic, an analgesic as needed for pain and an antiemetic for nausea. She will also be receiving chemotherapy on an outpatient basis. Kim is tearful and upset and expresses concern over her future and the future of her three children.  She is distraught about her relationship with her husband and her current living arrangements.  Kim states that she believes this cancer is a punishment for her past life.

Table #1: care plan

chart #1: NURSING PROCESS