Description and critical reflection of Simone Roach’s caring theory

Introduction: Simone Roach conceptualizes caring as the human way of being, emphasizing that caring is not just a professional characteristic, but a fundamental expression of humanity. The applicability of her theory in the context of training nurses or those at the start of their professional careers could prove very useful, due to its focus on the development of patient-centered clinical practice. Its limited use highlights the need for a critical analysis of its contribution to the discipline. Objetive: The aim of this theoretical study is to critically analyze Simone Roach's theory of care, according to the methodology proposed by Chinn, Kramer and Sitzman. Methods: The analysis was carried out in two phases: in the first phase a description of the theory was carried out, considering the objective, concepts, definitions, relationships, structure and assumptions, and in the second phase a critical reflection of the theory was carried out, considering clarity, simplicity, generality, accessibility and importance. Results: The theory has a simple structure, based on the six Cs, which demonstrate high conceptual clarity and practical applicability. Its use in palliative, pediatric, psychiatric and training contexts was identified, demonstrating its pedagogical and clinical value. The critical analysis of the theory allowed us to recognize limitations related to multicultural applicability and the absence of a structured visual representation. Conclusion: This model can provide a valuable contribution to clinical practice, education and research in nursing.