A phenomenological interpretation of holistic nursing

Area of Science:

• Nursing Science
• Philosophy of Care
• Phenomenological Research

Background:

• Holistic nursing integrates biopsychosociological knowledge with practical, generational nursing care.
• Phenomenology offers a framework for interpreting the first-person encounter with the lived world.
• Nursing practice is understood as a historically developed method for fostering human well-being.

Purpose of the Study:

• To explore the contribution of phenomenology to holistic nursing.
• To elucidate how phenomenological interpretation enriches the understanding of nursing practice and its spiritual dimensions.
• To examine the integration of scientific meaning with lived experiences in holistic nursing.

Main Methods:

• Phenomenological interpretation of nursing practice and the lived world.
• Analysis of the moral, esthetic, interpersonal, and spiritual aspects of nursing care.
• Integration of scientific knowledge with the subjective meanings of patients and nurses.

Main Results:

• Phenomenology reveals holistic nursing as a practice deeply rooted in the lived experiences of patients and nurses.
• The spiritual dimension in holistic nursing is identified as the source of meaning, value, and courage.
• Holistic nursing, when interpreted phenomenologically, bridges scientific understanding with the profound meanings of human existence during illness.

Conclusions:

• Phenomenology provides a vital lens for understanding the holistic and spiritual dimensions of nursing care.
• Integrating lived experiences and scientific knowledge is crucial for fostering patient and nurse well-being.
• The meaning derived from the spiritual aspects of care empowers individuals to navigate illness and debilitation.