Seven Phases of Inquiry
Stories are a fundamental dimension of human experience and nursing practice. Story theory describes a narrative happening that occurs through intentional nurse-person dialogue. Seven inquiry phases are associated with story theory, including gathering the story, reconstructing the story, connecting it to the literature, naming the complicating health challenge, describing the story plot, identifying movement toward resolving, and gathering additional stories.
PHASE 1 GATHERING THE STORY
In the process of telling and hearing stories, persons often come to new insights and deeper understanding of themselves. It also mends us when we are broken, heal us when we are sick. The story of Mr. Cruz is a good sample of story based on his view which involves emotions and behavior.
PHASE 2 RECONSTRUCTING THE STORY
The story of Mr Cruz is reconstructed, one shared through the lens of the nurse who gathered it. It is the nurses’ view of what happened. The reconstructed story naturally incorporates what matters most about the health challenge. (Patricia Liehr and Mary Jane Smith’s Story Theory, Chapter 24, p 427)
Mr. Cruz, a 43 years old married man, with two children who’s childhood was into hard work in order for them to eat was indeed unhappy with his childhood. Due to lack of resources, he was not able to continue his education. He also mentioned about being abused by his brother using belt and “yantok” stick. He worked as a project manager then later fooled by his mate with a project left unpaid which led him to bankruptcy. He was then depressed with the situation. Through the help of his brother, he started making money being a Grab driver. Unfortunately, his earnings weren’t good enough. Eventually stress hits him and brought him to mental breakdown.
PHASE 3 CONNECTING IT TO THE LITERATURE
Motivation and Autonomy in Counseling, Psychotherapy, and Behavior Change: A Look at Theory and Practice Richard M. Ryan , Martin F. Lynch , Maarten Vansteenkiste , and Edward L. Deci
Abstract
Motivation has received increasing attention across counseling approaches, presumably because clients’ motivation is key for treatment effectiveness. Based on the story, Mr. Cruz said about future hopes of being discharged in the facility, comply with medications and fix the relationship with his family. He showed self-motivation in his future goals. Beyond initial motivation, self-motivation or autonomy for change can become more critical over time as continued behavioral changes require overcoming obstacles (Ford, 1992; Jang, 2008; Sheldon & Elliot, 1998), persisting through rough spots, or sustaining action when the initial impetus and reinforces associated with therapy and behavioral change are no longer available. Thus, motivation is an issue not only upon entrance but throughout the counseling process.
PHASE 4 NAMING THE COMPLICATED HEALTH CHALLENGE
Considering Mr. Cruz’s story and the an existing literature the name of the complicating health challenge would be “ submission to treatment”. At the core of counseling and psychotherapy is the issue of motivation or volition, presumably because positive and lasting results most likely occur when a client becomes actively engaged and personally invested in change (Overholser, 2005; Ryan & Deci, 2008).
PHASE 5 DESCRIBING THE STORY PLOT
Significant relationships and life circumstances cited by the storyteller are central to the present complicating health challenge as well as to future hope and dreams. Several related story plot dimensions have surfaced: Early Childhood work, abused by a sibling; fooled by his church colleague; an affair with his co-worker; lack of proper education, all are intricately related to complicating health challenge.
PHASE 6 IDENTIFYING MOVEMENT TOWARD RESOLVING
Resolving happens in keeping the storyteller immersed in the “now” health experience. Submission of self to psychotherapy treatment propels movement toward resolving which Mr. Cruz did. In a centered- present focus, one is free to take on the complicating health challenge and view it as manageable. Oftentimes this change to manageable view energizes a sense of ease.
PHASE 7 GATHERING ADDITIONAL STORIES
The nurse gathers additional stories through intentional dialogue in connection to the current health challenge that the client have.
