Response from Cheryl Wagner during then Nursing CRG meeting
Hello,
I have included Christina Spisla on this as she was asking Karen and I previously for this information. I apologize that it was so long for us to respond - we had - and still have - quite a few commitments that tend to backlog some of our work!
But thanks for checking Friso, and hopefully I will see you at the meeting in case more information is needed.
The NIC has a section in its Appendices, Appendix B, where some definitions of terms that might be used in NIC activities are provided, largely I suppose, because Dr. Dochterman and Dr. Bulechek addressed many of these questions decades ago when the NIC was created.
The definition for Enhancement is
Making greater, augmenting, increasing
The definition for Promotion is
Advancing
Interestingly, both also include directions to see the other one in their definitions.
AI responds that the difference between the two is that enhancement is more internally related to quality and internal improvements, while promotion is an external advancement. Enhancement is internal refinement, promotion is external elevation.
In relation to child development, it seems that the intention - at least from the NIC application of the terms - is to advance the child through stages of development, so in this case Promotion seems to be more of a correct selection.
Nonetheless, increasing their development ability could also be enhancing it without necessarily promoting or advancing it - but the user of the term would have to be clear what they intend.
I will try to be at the meeting today to field questions on this, in case it helps.