The space of togetherness - a caring encounter

Gunilla Holopainen, Anne Kasen, Lisbet Nyström

Research output: Contribution to journalArticleScientificpeer-review

33 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Encounters in relation to the nurse 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.
Original languageUndefined/Unknown
Pages (from-to)186–192
JournalScandinavian Journal of Caring Sciences
Volume28
Issue number1
Publication statusPublished - 2014
MoE publication typeA1 Journal article-refereed

Keywords

  • Caring

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