[Correspondence in Humanistic Care].

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Intersubjectivity is a significant element of humanistic care. However, there is a lack of evidence related to the perceptions of nurses in clinical practice settings. PURPOSE: To explore the evidence of correspondence in clinical intersubjective caring activities. METHODS: The van Manen's thematic analysis approach was used to analyze the data, which was obtained from dialogues in small group learning settings. Six scenarios were identified to define the nature of correspondence in nursing care. RESULTS: In terms of reason, ethical relation, and activity, the following three items of correspondence in humanistic care were identified coexistence through reconciling relationships with the other, cooperation through bringing out (unfolding) and not through putting in (imposition), co-transcendence from actions and reflections. CONCLUSIONS / IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE By adopting openness in correspondence, nurses may promote coexistence through being open-minded to their opposite, promote cooperation with their opposite, and promote co-transcendence through pursuing authentic existence. The findings show that correspondence that is grounded in coexistence, cooperation, and co-transcendence promotes creativity and diversity in caring actions.