Presence: four ways of being there

Area of Science:

• Nursing
• Healthcare Concepts
• Patient Care

Background:

• The concept of 'presence' in nursing lacks a clear, unified definition.
• Existing literature uses 'presence' variably, encompassing physical, psychological, and spiritual dimensions.
• Core characteristics of nursing presence require identification and differentiation from variable aspects.

Purpose of the Study:

• To establish a clear definition of nursing presence.
• To identify and delineate the core characteristics of presence.
• To explore the variability and outcomes associated with different types of nursing presence.

Main Methods:

• Systematic review of nursing literature to identify definitions and uses of 'presence'.
• Concept analysis to establish the essence and core characteristics of presence.
• Identification of four distinct variations of presence based on quality, focus, and interaction.

Main Results:

• Defined nursing presence as "being there."
• Identified four ways presence varies: quality of being there, focus of nurse's energy, and nature of nurse-patient interaction.
• Explored potential outcomes associated with each identified type of presence.

Conclusions:

• A clearer definition of nursing presence is established.
• Understanding the variability in presence can enhance nurse-patient interactions.
• Further research into the outcomes of different types of presence is warranted.