The space of togetherness – a caring encounter

Abstract

Encounters in relation to the nurse-patient relationship are often discussed within nursing and caring literature without a reflection on the actual meaning of the concept. Assuming that an encounter is essential for nursing care, this article seeks to create a deeper understanding of the concept through a hermeneutic approach to texts by the philosophers Buber and Marcel. Presence, recognition, availability and mutuality seem to be essential prerequisites for an encounter. As these prerequisites are fulfilled within and between human beings who encounter each other, it is possible to speak of a space of togetherness, a mutual existence, where life's mystery shines forth and caring is realized. The challenge lies in creating these encounters within nursing care.

Mental ill‐health among adult patients at healthcare centres in Sweden: district nurses experiences

“…Given such findings, it is reasonable to infer that if patients in general cause named difficulties, dealing with patients with mental ill‐health must be even more challenging. Holopainen et al identified and listed four factors – presence, recognition, availability and mutuality – as required components for ‘caring encounters’ to take place. In the context of the previously mentioned obstacle ‘lack of time’, the authors discuss whether caring encounters can emerge in the time‐constrained and technologically driven environments of modern nursing care.…”

The relationship with the ambulance clinicians as experienced by significant others

“…Peplau () suggest that powerlessness is a part of being affected as a patient but powerlessness might decrease when acknowledged in a relationship with a nurse. In the presence of the clinicians, the SOs' experience togetherness and mutuality (Holopainen et al , ). In this relationship the SOs might share their struggle for the affected person with the clinicians.…”

The nurse–patient relationship as a story of health enhancement in community care: A meta‐ethnography

“…The NPR has been the focus of many studies and the large volume of literature devoted to this relationship highlights its importance (Holopainen, Kas en, & Nystr€ om, 2014;Kas en, 1996;Morse, 1991;Peplau, 2004). The essence of the NPR seems difficult to conceptualize.…”