The theory of comfort provides a framework for research in any setting where patients have comfort
needs and enhancing their comfort is valued. The theory has been used to test the effectiveness of specific
holistic interventions for increasing comfort, to demonstrate the correlation between comfort and subsequent
HSBs, anci to relate HSBs to desirable institutional outcomes. It is important as a framework for
interdisciplinary care and research because the focus is on the unifying and positive outcome of patient
comfort. As such, CT has been used in many health care specialties, both nationally and internationally.
As a value-added indicator of improved quality, the desired outcome of comfort is used by nursing leaders for practice and research.