A literature review of patients' compared with nurses' perceptions of caring: implications for practice and research

Caring is a salient feature of nursing practice and has been studied extensively from the nursing perspective. Nonetheless, little has been forthcoming in relation to patients' perceptions of the meanings and processes of caring. The present literature review shows that whereas nurse clinicians focus on the psychosocial aspects of caring, patients assign the highest value to technical skills and professional competence. Similarly to patients, a small proportion of nurses view competent clinical expertise as the fundamental component of caring. Noncaring behaviors include physical and emotional absence, belittling and inhumane actions, and lack of recognition of a patient's uniqueness. Patients' participation in decisions regarding their care may or may not be an element of a caring interaction. Ethnonursing studies describe the "caring culture" as one based on likeness, consensus, and conformity. Based on review findings, implications for practice and research are outlined.