Mid-range theory building and the nursing theory-practice gap: a respite care case study

Nursing, with its historical roots in practice, has tended to have an uneasy relationship with theory. Whilst the benefits of theory to nursing have been propounded by many commentators, it remains that theory all too rarely informs nursing practice. This paper argues for the development and utilization of mid-range theories as representing a solution to this problem. The advantages of such an approach are illustrated by the application, testing and refinement of Chenitz's theory of relocation to a hospital-based respite care scheme for the frail elderly.