A one-day education in soft tissue massage: Experiences and opinions as evaluated by nursing staff in palliative care

Abstract

The approach to learning and the pedagogical skills of the teacher proved to be of importance for how new knowledge was perceived among nurses. The findings may encourage hospital organizations to introduce short courses in STM as an alternative to more extensive education.

Tactile Massage as Part of the Caring Act

“…Many scientists have shed light on the importance of touch, that is, touch involves something more than just physical contact; it is something that may create a sense of warmth, closeness, and the sense of doing good to another human being (Cronfalk, 2008; Eriksson, 1987; Estabrooks & Morse, 1992; Henricson, 2008). Touching and being touched is one of the most profound experiences a human being can have, and stress and frustration may result from not being touched (Wigforss, 2006).…”

“…Since the mid-1960s a form of soft tissue massage has been developed, TM (Ardeby, 2003). TM has become widespread in different clinical care settings in Sweden (Airosa, Falkenberg, Öhlén, & Arman, 2013; Cronfalk, 2008; Henricson, 2008; Ozolins, 2011). Implementing TM in emergency settings may increase well-being and create a sense of security for a patient who is suffering from the chaos and crisis of acute illness.…”

“…One study from dementia care states that using touch as a caring tool to decrease patient suffering requires respect and sensitivity from the nurse; experiencing how touch can make a difference to patient suffering simultaneously increases the nurse’s sense of satisfaction and pride in his or her work (Edvardsson, Sandman, & Rasmussen, 2003). In the study by Cronfalk (2008), nurses expressed a positive attitude toward soft tissue massage (equivalent to TM), as a valued and important aspect of nursing care.…”

Educational Intervention for Nurses to Enhance Their Ability to Provide Palliative Care to Adult Cancer Patients

“…For palliative care programme to be successful, education and training in palliative care need to be tailored to meet the objectives and priorities identified (WHO, 2007). A very specific study related to this topic was conducted by Rahmati-Sharghi, et al (2015) Cronfalk, et al (2008) was steered to assess the feasibility of a 1-day course in Soft Tissue Massage (STM) in clarifying nursing staffs experiences and opinions on the motivation and ability to employ STM in the care of dying cancer patients. This approach to learning proved to be of importance for how new knowledge was perceived among nurses.…”