Caring in the Nurse-Patient Relationship through the Caritas Lens: An Integrative Review

Abstract

This integrative review of the literature is an exploration of current research on the phenomenon of caring in the nurse-patient relationship. A literature search was conducted using CINAHL, Google Scholar, EBSCO, MEDLINE, Ovid Nursing, ProQuest Nursing, SAGE journals online, and ScienceDirect. Data analysis was performed using Watson’s 10 Caritas Processes as a descriptive, categorical framework. Narrative summary was used to report findings. Results show emergence of complex concepts. Incongruence was found between nurses’ and patients’ perceptions. Further research is needed to generate more knowledge regarding the phenomenon of caring in the nurse-patient relationship

Patients’ and Nurses’ Perceptions of Importance of Caring Nurse–Patient Interactions: Do They Differ?

“…The relationship nurses develop with patients and their families corresponds to the humane process that Watson calls the transpersonal caring relationship [ 2 , 16 ]. Watson’s Theory of Human Caring is a source for studies researching nurse–patient interactions [ 16 , 17 , 18 , 19 , 20 ]. Watson defines caring as the ethical and moral ideal of health care with interpersonal and humanistic qualities [ 16 ].…”

“…Carative factors described by J. Watson are well accepted in the profession because they point to the humanistic value of health care and function as structural guidelines for understanding the process of caring interpersonal relationships [ 3 , 16 , 21 ]. Watson has advanced the concept of 10 carative factors into clinical caritas processes [ 3 , 20 , 22 ]. Although the concept of clinical caritas processes is similar to the concept of 10 carative factors, clinical caritas processes have a more pronounced spiritual dimension and clearly arouse love and care [ 20 , 22 ].…”

“…Watson has advanced the concept of 10 carative factors into clinical caritas processes [ 3 , 20 , 22 ]. Although the concept of clinical caritas processes is similar to the concept of 10 carative factors, clinical caritas processes have a more pronounced spiritual dimension and clearly arouse love and care [ 20 , 22 ]. However, the 10 original carative factors remain a timeless structural core of the theory, while caritas processes, with their fluid aspects, enable a higher level of understanding and development [ 2 , 20 , 22 ].…”

“…Despite numerous studies on caring, a review of related literature reveals a global deficit of studies examining the specifics and possible differences in patients’ and nurses’ perceptions of importance of certain aspects of caring [ 20 , 29 , 30 ].…”

A concept analysis of Watson's nursing Caritas process

“…Nursing in the relationship between nurse and patient is committed to the development of knowledge about the patterns and processes of human life and their interaction with the environment to promote health and full life potential. Caring is a key to this commitment 1 2 .…”