Intersubjective meeting in holistic caring: a Swedish perspective

Intersubjectivity is a central notion in nursing which describes the important relationship between nurse and patient. The aim of this article is to analyze the concept of intersubjective meeting and to examine its meaning in light of selected works by nursing and nonnursing authors who have addressed the phenomenon. Intersubjective meeting is posited here as a true and meaningful confirming dialogue. Thus, three elements of this construct will be adduced for further elaboration: a true and meaningful meaning, a confirming meeting, and the meeting as dialogue. For caregivers to engage in such an intersubjective meeting, they must exercise knowledge of self and have access to care for the caregiver.