title: Caring relationships with patients suffering from dementia--an interview study.
abstract: The aim of the study reported in this paper was to describe and analyse care-givers' caring relationships with patients suffering from dementia. The theoretical perspective was caring science. Data were collected through interviews with six care-givers in a ward for patients with severe dementia. From the qualitative analysis of the narratives, the following factors emerged as important for the caring relationships: 'touching', mutual 'confirmation', and the care-givers' 'values in the caring culture' in the ward. We conclude that communication skills are very important in a ward where patients with severe dementia reside, and that there is always a need for formulating the basic values. Theoretical education and clinical supervision are examples of means to improve competence and skills.
authors.affiliation: Department of Caring Science, Abo Academy University, Vasa, Finland. rundqvist@mailbox.swipnet.se
authors.forename: E M
authors.initials: EM
authors.lastname: Rundqvist
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Severinsson
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D003704:Dementia / Q000451:nursing* / Q000523:psychology; D004645:Empathy; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007406:Interview, Psychological / Q000379:methods; D008134:Long-Term Care / Q000523:psychology; D008875:Middle Aged; D009723:Nurse-Patient Relations; D009741:Nursing Staff, Hospital / Q000523:psychology*; D013548:Sweden