Discomfort: a concept analysis

Abstract

The concept of discomfort is frequently used in healthcare practice. The definition of the concept of discomfort has changed over time. Definitions vary across disciplines and contexts in which the concept of discomfort is used, and it is often not explicitly defined within the context. The purpose of this paper is to analyze the concept of discomfort and to create a definition to better understand and clarify the meaning of the concept. After a literature review, the defining attributes chosen in this analysis created a definition for the concept of discomfort by incorporating the many definitions of the concept into one complete definition. The defining attributes of discomfort identified in the literature are lack of comfort, uneasiness or anxiety, which may be physical or emotional, and the presence of slight pain or irritation. Discomfort may affect the mind and the body. Looking at the defining attributes of discomfort could assist in recognizing that discomfort is similar to pain, but it is different from pain. This information can be useful for nursing research, nursing practice, and standardizing the use of the concept.