Being Present in an Impersonal Environment: A Qualitative Study of the Experiences of OR Nurses in Patient Encounters

A patient's initial encounter with the OR nurses is essential to the way patients feel in the OR. This qualitative study employed a hermeneutic approach to explore the experiences of OR nurses regarding presence during patient encounters. After conducting 16 individual interviews, seven themes were identified. The themes elucidated the value of presence for nurses in their patient interactions. Presence requires nurses to be open to perception and strike a balance between intimacy and distance, respecting the various ways in which patients manage their feelings of anxiety and loss of control. Task-centered care impedes the capacity to be present because this kind of care prioritizes efficiency, productivity, specialization, and technology. To improve clinical practice, a shift is needed toward more patient-centered care in the OR and at an organizational health care system level.