title: A phenomenological view of illness.
abstract: Phenomenology offers one way of viewing the human experience of illness. Its descriptive nature provides a portrait of what it is like to be ill, revealing implications that could improve the quality of care nurses deliver. The significance of illness experience and related suffering is illustrated in patients' accounts which describe it as alienating, creating uncertainty and feelings of despair. Nurses must clarify their ways of philosophizing about what they do. It is also crucial that the role of patient advocate be seen in its broadest sense, including advocacy of the patient's right to hope.
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Kretlow
mesh_terms: D001294:Attitude to Health; D006801:Humans; D009732:Nursing Care; D010687:Philosophy, Nursing