Caring touch as communication in intensive care nursing: a qualitative study.

Publisher: Taylor & Francis Country of Publication: United States NLM ID: 101256506 Publication Model: Print-Electronic Cited Medium: Internet ISSN: 1748-2631 (Electronic) Linking ISSN: 17482623 NLM ISO Abbreviation: Int J Qual Stud Health Well-being Subsets: MEDLINE

Publication: 2016- : Philadelphia, PA : Taylor & Francis
Original Publication: London ; New York : Taylor & Francis, c2006-

Qualitative Research* ; Critical Care Nursing* ; Communication* ; Nurse-Patient Relations* ; Intensive Care Units* ; Empathy* ; Touch*; Humans ; Norway ; Female ; Male ; Adult ; Attitude of Health Personnel ; Nursing Staff, Hospital/psychology ; Patient-Centered Care ; Middle Aged ; Trust

Purpose: This article describes intensive care nurses` experiences of using communicative caring touch as stroking the patient`s cheek or holding his hand. Our research question: "What do intensive care nurses communicate through caring touch?"
Methods: In this qualitative hermeneutically based study data from two intensive care units at Norwegian hospitals are analysed. Eight specialist nurses shared experiences through individual, semi-structured interviews.
Results: The main theme, Communicating safety and presence has four sub-themes: Amplified presence, Communicating security, trust and care, Creating and confirming relationships and Communicating openness to a deeper conversation. Communicative caring touch is offered from the nurse due to the patient`s needs. Caring touch communicates person-centred care, invites to relationship while respecting the patient's dignity as a fellow human being. Caring touch conveys a human initiative in the highly technology environment.
Conclusion: Caring touch is the silent way to communicate care, hope, strength and humanity to critical sick patients. This article provides evidence for a common, but poorly described phenomenon in intensive care nursing.

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Keywords: Intensive care nursing; caring science; caring touch; communication; patient-centred

Date Created: 20240509 Date Completed: 20240509 Latest Revision: 20240512

20250114

PMC11086036

10.1080/17482631.2024.2348891

38723246