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Research article
Nurses’ attunement to patients’ meaning in life – A qualitative study of experiences of Dutch adults ageing in place
Susan Hupkens
Hogeschool Rotterdam
Corresponding Author
ORCiD: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7937-7158
License:
This work is licensed under a CC BY 4.0 License. Read Full License
Background: Meaning in life (MiL) is considered to be an important part of health and is associated with many positive outcomes in older adults, such as quality of life and longevity. As health promotors, nurses may take patients’ MiL into account in the care process. There is a knowledge gap in terms of what constitutes good care in relation to older patients’ MiL, and what the benefits may be for patients when nursing is attuned to this aspect. The purpose of this study was to explore the experiences of home nursing older adults in relation to nurses’ attunement to MiL.
Methods: Gadamerian hermeneutic phenomenological design with semi-structured interviews. Participants were 24 aged home nursing patients. A framework of care ethical evaluation was used in the analysis. Multiple dialogues enhanced understanding.
Results: Patients did not expect nurses’ regard for their MiL. They rather expected ‘normal contact’ and adequate physical care. Nurses showed that they were open to patients’ MiL by being interested in the patient as a person and by being attentive to specific and hidden needs. Participants explained that the nurse’s behaviour upon arrival set the tone: they knew immediately if there was room for MiL or not. All participants had positive and negative experiences with nurses’ behaviour in relation to MiL. Valued nursing care included maintaining a long, kind and reciprocal relationship; doing what was needed; and skilled personalised care. Participants mentioned ‘special ones’: nurses who attuned to them in a special way and did more than expected. Benefits of care that was attuned to patients’ MiL were: experiencing a cheerful moment, feeling secure, feeling like a valuable person and having a good day. Older adults also stressed that consideration for MiL helps identify what is important in healthcare.
Conclusion: Aged homecare patients value nurses’ attunement to their MiL positively. Although patients regard MiL mostly as their own quest, nurses play a modest yet important role. Managers and educators should support nurses’ investment in reciprocal nurse-patient relationships.
Keywords
Meaning in life, older adults, patient’s perspective, nurse-patient relationship, home nursing, quality of care, well-being, healthy ageing, positive health, ageing in place
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Posted 14 May, 2020
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On 01 May, 2020
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On 30 Apr, 2020
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Editorial decision: Minor revision
On 17 Apr, 2020
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Received 16 Apr, 2020
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Received 08 Apr, 2020
Reviewer #2 agreed
On 30 Mar, 2020
Reviewer #1 agreed
On 27 Mar, 2020
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Nursing
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This preprint is under consideration at BMC Nursing. A preprint is a preliminary version of a manuscript that has not completed peer review at a journal. Research Square does not conduct peer review prior to posting preprints. The posting of a preprint on this server should not be interpreted as an endorsement of its validity or suitability for dissemination as established information or for guiding clinical practice.
Learn more about In Review
Research article
Nurses’ attunement to patients’ meaning in life – A qualitative study of experiences of Dutch adults ageing in place
Susan Hupkens
Hogeschool Rotterdam
Corresponding Author
ORCiD: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7937-7158
Badges
Prescreen
This manuscript passed our Prescreen assessment
Complete author information
Appropriate declaration statements
Potential risks to human health
Prescreen
Peer Review Timeline
CURRENT STATUS: Under Review
Version 2
Posted 14 May, 2020
No community comments so far
Editor assigned
On 01 May, 2020
Editor invited
On 30 Apr, 2020
Submission checks complete
On 24 Mar, 2020
No comments provided
Editorial decision: Minor revision
On 17 Apr, 2020
Review #1 received
Received 16 Apr, 2020
Review #2 received
Received 08 Apr, 2020
Reviewer #2 agreed
On 30 Mar, 2020
Reviewer #1 agreed
On 27 Mar, 2020
Reviewers invited
Invitations sent on 27 Mar, 2020
Editor assigned
On 23 Mar, 2020
Submission checks complete
On 22 Mar, 2020
Editor invited
On 22 Mar, 2020
Metrics
Comments: 0
PDF Downloads: ...
HTML Views: ...
Subject Areas
Nursing
License:
This work is licensed under a CC BY 4.0 License. Read Full License
Background: Meaning in life (MiL) is considered to be an important part of health and is associated with many positive outcomes in older adults, such as quality of life and longevity. As health promotors, nurses may take patients’ MiL into account in the care process. There is a knowledge gap in terms of what constitutes good care in relation to older patients’ MiL, and what the benefits may be for patients when nursing is attuned to this aspect. The purpose of this study was to explore the experiences of home nursing older adults in relation to nurses’ attunement to MiL.
Methods: Gadamerian hermeneutic phenomenological design with semi-structured interviews. Participants were 24 aged home nursing patients. A framework of care ethical evaluation was used in the analysis. Multiple dialogues enhanced understanding.
Results: Patients did not expect nurses’ regard for their MiL. They rather expected ‘normal contact’ and adequate physical care. Nurses showed that they were open to patients’ MiL by being interested in the patient as a person and by being attentive to specific and hidden needs. Participants explained that the nurse’s behaviour upon arrival set the tone: they knew immediately if there was room for MiL or not. All participants had positive and negative experiences with nurses’ behaviour in relation to MiL. Valued nursing care included maintaining a long, kind and reciprocal relationship; doing what was needed; and skilled personalised care. Participants mentioned ‘special ones’: nurses who attuned to them in a special way and did more than expected. Benefits of care that was attuned to patients’ MiL were: experiencing a cheerful moment, feeling secure, feeling like a valuable person and having a good day. Older adults also stressed that consideration for MiL helps identify what is important in healthcare.
Conclusion: Aged homecare patients value nurses’ attunement to their MiL positively. Although patients regard MiL mostly as their own quest, nurses play a modest yet important role. Managers and educators should support nurses’ investment in reciprocal nurse-patient relationships.