title: Concept analysis of comfort.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The concept of comfort, although used frequently and throughout the nursing literature, has not been clearly or consistently defined.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To clarify the meaning of comfort by employing the systematic approach of an evolutionary concept-analysis method.
  
  
  METHODS
  Books, journals, professional organization position statements, electronic searches.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  A clear definition and meaning of comfort is needed, and thus the ability to use this concept empirically in order to further nursing knowledge development.
authors.affiliation: Yale University School of Nursing, Sacred Heart University, Fairfield, CT, USA. mlsiefert@ya.yale.edu
authors.forename: Mary Lou
authors.initials: ML
authors.lastname: Siefert
mesh_terms: D003142:Communication; D005190:Family; D006801:Humans; D009732:Nursing Care; D011788:Quality of Life