ABSTRACT Background Historically, caring touch was integrated in targeted nursing acts as shoulder massage, calming patients or to check vital parameters by touching the patient`s skin. However, this phenomenon in… Click to show full abstract
ABSTRACT Background Historically, caring touch was integrated in targeted nursing acts as shoulder massage, calming patients or to check vital parameters by touching the patient`s skin. However, this phenomenon in intensive care nursing still lacks convincing descriptions. Caring touch is an important part of being an intensive care nurse and confirming the patient`s dignity. To touch the patient`s skin is a common nursing act, but not much spoken of. Caring touch on the patient`s chin, holding hands or giving a hug has earlier been called e.g., non-procedural touch. Purpose Explore the meaning of caring touch as it appeared for Norwegian intensive care nurses. Methods Secondary analysis of data from qualitative, individual semi-structured interviews. Eight experienced intensive care nurses at public Norwegian non-university hospitals. Registered by the Norwegian Center for Research data NSD December 2014. ID 41164. Findings Data analysis revealed one main-theme: The speaking body, with four sub-themes 1) Eyes and facial expressions, 2) Patients emotional expressions, 3) Closeness and distance, 4) ICU nurses’ emotional responses. Conclusion Caring touch is a silent way of showing culturally competent care and establish or continue nurse-patient relationships in intensive care units. Caring touch contributes to heighten ethical dimensions of dignity in intensive care nursing.
               
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