Embodied reflection in practice—‘Touching the core of caring’

Abstract

Ranheim A, Kärner A, Arman M, Rehnsfeldt AW, Berterö C. International Journal of Nursing Practice 2010; 16: 241–247 Embodied reflection in practice—‘Touching the core of caring’ A study was performed with the aim of clarifying the integration of the caring act of touch with reflection on caring theory. Seven participant nurses in elderly care volunteered as ‘coresearchers’ and performed a caring act called Rhythmical Embrocation, together with reflective dialogues on caring theory. The project lasted for 6 months and at the end qualitative interviews with participants were used to evaluate the study. The findings showed an opening of awareness, embodied moments of presence and an extended ability to act creatively in caring. In this study, the movement between theory and practice was the integration of the caring act with reflection on basic caring concepts. Implications for praxis development are that implementation and reflection by teams over certain caring acts might open the door to an expanded view of one's own caring ability that in the long run will benefit the patient.

Caring touch – patients' experiences in an anthroposophic clinical context

“…Touch in different forms is described as inevitable in the care of patients, and as an integration of physical, emotional and existential dimensions, which can relieve suffering and render a release from strain in contact with another human being. Examples can be found in the care of elderly persons , in palliative home‐care and also in acute‐care settings . Touch can also have negative effects or could generate ambivalent feelings .…”

Tactile Massage as Part of the Caring Act

“…Ranheim et al (2010) found in a previous study how participating nurses, while giving touch, become more "aware" and described an expansion in their senses when they become more vulnerable and open in their encounters with their patients. During their training in TM, those experiences were not discussed.…”

“…During their training in TM, those experiences were not discussed. The importance of an emotional association in the encounter as an essence of caring was also described by Ranheim et al (2010). This emphasizes the importance of training nurses in TM, to become aware of what may happen during treatment, since for some this was a frightening experience in the beginning.…”

A Concept Analysis About Temporality and Its Applicability in Nursing Care

“…Some caring activities such as rhythmical embrocation (RE) can be used as an opening act of care: opening up for temporality. Performing RE was described as becoming relaxed in an integrated way, being calm, and allowing a sense of “being” and “presence” (Ranheim, Karner, Arman, Rehnsfedlt, & Bertero, ).…”