[Phenomenology and phenomenological method: their usefulness for nursing knowledge and practice].
Phenomenology is a thought movement the main aim of which is to study human fenomena as they are experienced and lived. Key concepts of phenomenology are: the study of lived experience and subjectivity of human beings, the intentionality of consciousness, perception and interpretation. Phenomenological research method has nine steps: definition of the research topic; superficial literature searching; sample selection; gathering of lived experiences; analysis of lived experiences; written synthesis of lived experiences; validation of written synthesis; deep literature searching; writing of the scientific document. Phenomenology and phenomenological method are useful for nursing either to develop knowledge or to guide practice. Qualitative-phenomenological and quantitative-positivistic research are complementary: the first one guides clinicians towards a person-centered approach, the second one allows the manipulation of phenomena which can damage health, worsen illness or decrease the quality of life of people who rely on nursing care.
Vellone
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E
Padre Luigi Monti Ospedale S. Carlo, Università Cattolica del S. Cuore, Roma. e.vellone@idi.it
Sinapi
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N
Rastelli
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D
D006801:Humans; D009732:Nursing Care; D015399:Nursing Research / Q000379:methods*; D010687:Philosophy, Nursing