Use of the Trajectory Model of nursing in multiple sclerosis

Abstract

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic, demyelinating disorder that is unpredictable in its overall course, in the type of symptoms that will predominate, and in its eventual outcome. It has been used as a model in research, education, and practice to examine the course of chronic illness, patient and family responses, coping and adjustment to chronic illness, and specific concepts and variables of interest to researchers. MS is used in this paper to evaluate for nursing practice the utility of the Corbin and Strauss trajectory model of nursing. The assumptions and major concepts of the trajectory framework are discussed, use of the model in multiple sclerosis is demonstrated, and the strengths and limitations of the framework as a nursing model are identified.