Carative-The theory of human caring

Carative-a definition

Carative is the philosophy and theory of human caring. Dr. Jean Watson uses the term “carative” instead of “curative” to distinguish between nursing and medicine. “Whereas curative factors aim at curing the patient of disease, carative factors aim at the caring process that helps the person attain (or maintain) health or die a peaceful death”.

The original theory developed in 1979, was organized around 10 carative factors:

Formation of a Humanistic-altruistic system of values;
Instillation of faith-hope;
Cultivation of sensitivity to one's self and to others;
Development of a helping-trusting, human caring relationship;
Promotion and acceptance of the expression of positive and negative feelings;
stematic use of a creative problem-solving caring process;
Promotion of transpersonal teaching-learning;
Provision for a supportive, protective, and/or corrective mental, physical, societal, and spiritual environment;
Assistance with gratification of human needs;
Allowance for existential-phenomenological-spiritual forces.

Source: Nursing: The Philosophy and Science of Caring by Jean Watson, RN, Ph.D. Boston: Little, Brown and Co., 1979.