Cognitive Dissonance in Modifying Families Perceptions

Written By: - Jean Miller

The author applies the cognitive dissonance theory to handle the wrong conceptions about a
patient in the minds of their family members.

The family’s beliefs about the patient’s health will affect his welfare in the hospital as well as at
home. The author tries to investigate and find out anxiety level of patient’s relatives and the level
of knowledge they had about the surgery of patients.

The family’s perception is very important for many reasons. They reflect the patients perceptions
are wrong it would psychologically harm the patient’s health. It is difficult for the nurses also to
deal with such patients.

Nearly all the relatives interviewed were informed about the medical condition of the patient’s
situation. This is because nurses may be busy and family wants to use the time with patient rather
than talking to nurses.

It is essential for the nurse to access the family’s perception accurately. Earlier, nurses relied on
doctors for informed about patients. But now a day’s nurses have the skill to ask about patient’s
physical and physiological state. Therefore they can correct any inaccurate perceptions which the
family has about the patient’s welfare.

The nurse will give her views of the patient’s situation and mention the difference between her
and the family’s perception. The family will than change the perception of the situation to
remove the dissonance.

Pros and Cons:-

Cognitive dissonance creates discomfort, whereas the nurse’s role is actually to provide comfort.
Professionals discuss as to whose role and duty is it to deal with patient’s perception? Nurses
could help here, but all nurses are not ready or prepared to take up this role. Nurses will become
more confident when they understand the patients situation completely. However, this is possible
only if they obtain more knowledge through reading research and communication with all
members of health team.