Precision Nursing: The Mainstream Trend in Professional Individualized Care

Precision health, a growing trend in the health sciences, is defined as healthcare tailored to the need of the individual based on their genetic, genomic, or omic composition within the context of their lifestyle, social, economic, cultural and environmental influences to help them achieve optimal health status (Fu et al., 2020; Ielapi et al., 2020). To tailor care within these complex contexts, person-centered and needs-based professional care is essential in clinical settings (Chiang et al., 2016; Fu et al., 2020; Harrington, 2021; Pirschel, 2016). Therefore, person-centered care coupled with a needs assessment to identify the dynamic changing symptoms caused by the disease or related treatments is the first step in achieving precision nursing. Therefore, Fu et al. (2020) pointed out that, through symptom science on the manifestation and management of symptoms of diseases and treatments, nursing science has contributed to precision health. Precision nursing should be evidence-based as well as person-based in terms of values and expectations. Thus, better understanding the needs and risk factors related to symptoms is key to providing better professional care to individuals. The main focus of the studies in this issue of The Journal of Nursing Research is on patient-centered care and the needs and related factors of individuals with chronic disease or with older age. In Hsu's study, the highest information needs of patients with breast cancer undergoing treatment were potential for recurrence, interpretation of blood test results, treatment side effects, and diet. In Wang's study, a needs-centered education and training program was shown to be effective in relieving agitated behavior and depression in individuals with dementia. Kao's study aimed to explore the predictors of self-management behaviors after unplanned dialysis after discharge, and pointed out that social support should be prioritized because it exhibited the largest variances of all factors (e.g., self-care knowledge and uncertainty in illness). Chen's study examined the satisfaction of patients with schizophrenia from patient-centered care domains and information, with education and communication identified as the most important factors affecting satisfaction in outpatient settings. Finally, two studies focused on common issues (sleep and falling) facing older adults. These studies provide additional evidence in support of offering individualized care. We hope our readers benefit from the updated information and new insights. We remain on the road toward precision nursing, and more evidence is required from international researchers to share specific and individualized care results to fulfill the needs of professional nursing care.