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Caring touch as communication in intensive care nursing: a qualitative study
Lise Sandnes1, Lisbeth Uhrenfeldt2,3
1Faculty of Nursing and Health Sciences, Nord University, Bodø, Norway.
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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