The meaning of nurse–patient intimacy in oncology care settings: From the nurse and patient perspective

Abstract

This paper reports the findings of a study exploring the meaning of nurse-patient intimacy in oncology care settings. An interpretive phenomenological design was adopted. A total of 23 oncology nurses and 30 oncology patients, from 3 hospitals, were interviewed between March 2005 and December 2005. Three main themes emerged from the data: developing intimacy, experiencing intimacy and outcome of intimacy. Nurse-patient intimacy is revealed as a process, which begins when the nurse and patient first meet, with nurse empathy for the patient developing following the nurse's identification with the patient. This identification is influenced by the patient's characteristics and response to their cancer and its treatment. Reciprocal self-disclosure characterises the intimacy that develops in the context of the nurse assuming a 'professional friend' role in a homely atmosphere where care is delivered. The outcome of intimacy is satisfaction for the nurse, but also emotional effects. Peer support among nurses in sustaining intimacy with patients is also revealed. Close relationships with patients appear central for oncology nurses in their caring role. Intimacy with patients follows identification. However, nurses' identification with patients is dependent on nurses' views of patients' characteristics, which reveal judgmental labelling of oncology patients, and suggests the role of patients in influencing the relationship that develops with nurses.

Oncology patients' and professional nurses' perceptions of important nurse caring behaviors

“…Also, Dowling found that nurses' technical skills were alluded to by both nurses and patients interviewed as a contributing factor to the closeness of their relationship. When the patient trusted the nurse's competence with regard to their technical skills, they wanted that nurse to care for them [28]. In a recent theoretical account on caring, researcher supported the notion that helping patients with big (e.g.…”

Are patient–nurse relationships in breast cancer linked to adult attachment style?

“…In particular, research conducted with people from Europe, the Middle East, Africa, and the USA has all found that patients describe good patient-nurse relationships as encompassing trust, emotional support and being treated as an individual and as allowing them to feel secure enough to depend on and share their fears with the nurse (Ramos 1992, P alsson & Norberg 1995, Deeny & McGuigan 1999, Coffey 2006, Dowling 2008, Rchaidia et al 2009, Beaver et al 2010, Kristiansen et al 2010, Remmers et al 2010. If the nursepatient relationship has characteristics of an attachment relationship, we should expect that patients' attachment models would influence their experience of the relationship.…”

Nurse Perspectives Regarding the Meaningfulness of Oncology Nursing Practice

“…A number of authors have discussed that oncology nurses are motivated by sustaining relationships that they develop with patients and their families (Berterö, 1999;Dowling, 2008). To develop effective training programs, having a complete understanding of what prompts experienced nurses to continue working in oncology and recognizing how oncology nursing differs from other specialty areas are vital.…”