Review on the Theory of Nursing Client Advocacy and Its Applications in Child Healthcare

ABSTRACT

Since 1990, descriptive studies about the concept of client advocacy have been published in the health journals. However, empirical studies of the concept are still lacking. There are not enough bases to apply the concept of client advocacy in nursing practice. The purpose of this paper is to encourage empirical research about client advocacy by clarification of the concept and to discusses application of the theory in child healthcare. The literature was reviewed that empirical studies on client advocacy conducted after the year 2000. The changing trends in the client advocacy concept was examined; it was changed from the philosophical concept to nursing action and changed from individual advocacy to collective advocacy, with the rise of the self advocacy concept. The research trends on client advocacy evolves from descriptive study to quasi-experimental study and instrument development study, with diversification and expansion of research methods, advocates, clients and settings. The advocacy role of the nurse in child healthcare is significant due to the child's lack of self determination ability. In ill child care, the application of individual advocacy is potent, while in healthy child care, collective advocacy, policy advocacy, and social advocacy is effective.