Nurses’ narrations and reflections about caring for patients with severe dementia as revealed in systematic clinical supervision sessions.

Göran Holst, Anna-Karin Edberg, Ingalill Rahm Hallberg

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

This study explored nurses' narrations about and reflections on caring for patients with severe dementia and their interpretation of the meaning for patients as revealed in clinical supervision sessions. The encounters between patient and nurse could confirm or threaten the patient's identity as a person or the nurse's identity as a person and a professional. Nurses searched for the meaning of these caring encounters, for both the patients and themselves, based on their knowledge of each patient's earlier life and/or sensitivity to the patient's reactions in the current situation. They pieced together these fragments of knowledge into a meaningful whole and then acted upon this interpretation, thus restorying patients' lives. Acting in this way involves risks but also benefits. Reflective discussion about various possible interpretations balanced against the current situation seems essential so as not to override the integrity of both patients and nurses.
Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)89-107
JournalJournal of Aging Studies
Volume1
Issue number13
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 1999

Bibliographical note

The information about affiliations in this record was updated in December 2015.
The record was previously connected to the following departments: The Vårdal Institute (016540000), Family Medicine (013241010), Caring Sciences (Closed 2012) (016514020)

Subject classification (UKÄ)

  • Other Social Sciences not elsewhere specified

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