Human Caring: A Concept Analysis

Abstract

Introduction: Human caring combines science, art, and humanity. Humanity is the heart of care and interpersonal interactions. Despite the critical emphasis on human caring and concern for nursing care without humanity, there is no clear definition for human caring in nursing. This study aimed to analyze the concept of human caring. Methods: Walker and Avant’s strategy for concept analysis was used. Electronic databases such as PubMed, Scopus, Ovid, Google Scholar, Magiran, Iran Doc, SID, and a number of dictionaries were searched without any limitation in date. Search keywords were "care", "caring", "human caring", "humanization", "patient care", "comprehensive care" and "nursing care". We searched all documents published before September 2020. In the initial search, 1637 articles were found but finally, 39 relevant articles remained in the study. Results: The nine defining attributes of human caring were establishing therapeutic communication, presence at the patient bedside, empathy, providing scientific care, subjectivity, dynamicity, respecting the patient’s rights and ethics of care, helping the patient achieve a feeling of well-being, and art and creativity. Antecedents of human caring were categorized into three categories namely, human, personal, and organizational factors. The consequences were also categorized into consequences related to nurse, profession, patient, and organization. Conclusion: A theoretical definition and a conceptual model of human caring were developed. This concept should be included in the nursing curricula at all undergraduate and graduate levels and even in nurses’ in-service training programs.

It's better to give than receive

“…Caring for others is an integral part of nursing. 7 Through the integration of a community engagement project in the nursing curriculum, students can gain hands-on experiences that reinforce compassion and introduce a holistic approach to healthcare that nurses often don't experience until they enter the workforce.…”

Perception of the Care Concept by Nurses and the Factors Influencing Their Perception: A Qualitative Study

“…1 The most significant distinction of the nursing profession from other health disciplines is its foundation on the concept of "care". [2][3][4] Care is essential for everyone and represents a unique cornerstone for nursing. 5 It involves the application of nursing knowledge and skills to protect, promote, and improve health, underpinned by values such as empathy, compassion, confidence, and assistance.…”

“…Professional nursing mandates that nurses fundamentally embrace the concept of care in their practice. 3 The perception of the care concept is reflective of how nurses understand and interpret care, shaped by their knowledge and experience. Factors such as the quality of vocational education, professional identity, and professional experience can influence nurses' perceptions of care.…”