Line Nortvedt

Exploring nurses' meaning and experiences of compassion: an international online survey involving 15 countries

Purpose: In recent years, there has been much focus on compassion in nursing care, and concern has been raised in a number of reports and media stories regarding decreased compassion. The aim of this study was to explore similarities and differences in the understanding and demonstration of compassion in nursing practice across 15 countries. Design: A total of 1,323 nurses from 15 countries responded to questions in relation to compassion, via an international online survey. Results: The data revealed the impact of sociopolitical influences on perceptions of compassion, and the conscious and intentional nature of compassion. Discussion and Conclusion: The study demonstrated shared understandings of the importance of compassion as well as some common perceptions of the attributes of compassionate care. The differences reported were not as significant as had been expected. Implications for Practice: Further research is needed to explore the country and culture differences in the enactment of compassion.

Hjerneskade og selvpresentasjon : En kvalitativ studie

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to investigate what conditions are important for acquired brain-injured patients when presenting them elves to others. Method: The study had an exploratory design with semistructured interviews of six brain-injured patients 2–4 weeks after attending a rehabitation course. The interviews were taped and transcribed verbatim. The data was analysed using Systematic Text Condensation. Results: The informants described several challenges arising from misunderstandings due to their own altered conditions and invisible set problems such as cognitive changes. Informants who were generally open about the long-term effects of their injury seemed to a greater exte to be met with respect, understanding and consideration. For most of the informants it had taken considerable time to develop awareness of the altered conditions. The acceptance of ones brain injury contributed to wish, will, and courage to tell others about themselves. Conclusion: Informants reported that the most important factors affecting self-presentation were awareness and understanding of the consquences of their brain injury; a social network that also with this insight; and an effective rehabilitation programme. Taboo, shame and stigmtisation were factors inhibiting the wish to present oneself.

A qualitative study of immigrant women on long-term sick leave and their experience of dignity

Abstract Purpose: The purpose of this study was to explore if and how immigrant women suffering from chronic pain experience and maintain their dignity, during rehabilitation. Methods: The study was designed as a field study, with participant observation and in-depth interviews. Participant observations were carried out during a rehabilitation course for 14 immigrant women on an outpatient clinic at a rehabilitation hospital in southern Norway. In-depth interviews were performed after the rehabilitation period. Hermeneutic analysis was applied to interpret the data. Results: Findings show that the immigrant women experienced dignity by being seen, respected and believed by family-members, healthcare personnel and other patients at the outpatient clinic. Moreover, they maintained their dignity through a sense of their own value, integrity, religious faith and hope for the future. Conclusions: The immigrant women maintained and protected their dignity by finding strength, pride, and self-worth in their religion and through their family-members’ affection. Taking responsibility for themselves and others and experiencing fellowship and equality with other women, they enhanced their dignity during their rehabilitation process. The caring attitudes and behavior of some healthcare personnel promoted patient dignity. They also gained hope and dignity by experiencing goodness, cultural competence, and sensitivity from healthcare personnel. Implications for rehabilitation This study shows that the family role is more important for the immigrant women than the role as an employee, although financial independence and being able to help relatives financially also were central. Fellowship and equality with other patients, together with a rehabilitation program, which is facilitated for different language levels, were understood as important factors for an effective recovery. Enough time to get to know the patients and cultural competence seems to be central components for the health care personnel to give efficient help to immigrants in rehabilitation. Immigrants from low/middle-income countries appear to apply their religiousness as a resource in their lives to a greater extent than native Norwegians do, and should be taken into consideration when planning and implementing rehabilitation programs for immigrants.