Caring presence: providing a safe space for patients

Area of Science:

• Nursing
• Healthcare Management
• Patient Experience

Background:

• Caring and presence were previously studied as separate phenomena.
• The nurse practitioner-patient relationship is central to healthcare delivery.
• Managed care systems present unique challenges and opportunities for patient care.

Purpose of the Study:

• To integrate the concepts of caring and presence.
• To describe the experience of caring presence in nurse practitioner-patient relationships.
• To explore caring presence within a managed care outpatient setting.

Main Methods:

• Phenomenological-hermeneutic study design.
• Exploration of the nurse practitioner-patient relationship.
• Qualitative analysis of caring presence experiences.

Main Results:

• Caring presence is characterized by mutual trust and sharing.
• Caring presence involves transcending connectedness between individuals.
• Caring presence is a distinct and significant experience within the relationship.

Conclusions:

• Caring presence is a vital component of the nurse practitioner-patient relationship.
• Understanding caring presence enhances nursing knowledge for practice.
• This research provides a foundation for navigating healthcare barriers in a technological world.